The India-Canada row has triggered a nagging fear among Sikhs and people of Punjab. It’s critical that both governments resolve the issue at the earliest, is a serious refrain. The Shiromani Akali Dal President and MP Sukhbir Singh Badal met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday last and told him that he was receiving distress calls from Punjabis in Canada worried about safe and smooth travel facilities to their homeland.

Similarly, students were concerned about their future. Likewise, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on Tuesday last said though the Centre has trashed the Canadian government’s accusations in the murder case of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and expelled a Canadian diplomat, the matter is “very serious” and will affect Sikhs at the global level.

It’s having ‘a huge effect, Sikhs are being associated with terrorism, a wrong impression is being created, and it needs to stop. People of the nation shouldn’t suffer because of this”. The point that Punjabis in general and Sikhs in particular, have made unparalleled sacrifices for the independence, security and integrity of the nation was driven home and ‘there can never be a compromise on that.’ 

Given that lives and livelihood of Sikhs is at stake, there’s need for sincere approach. Dialogue rather than knee jerk reactions is the need of the hour. The ‘sense of panic’ needs urgent attention.