Canada's Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan on Thursday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar where he was honoured by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Mr. Sajjan, who had arrived in the city on Wednesday night, reached Harmandir Sahib early Thursday and went to the sanctum sanctorum to offer prayers. The visiting dignitary spent close to an hour at the premises and then left for his native village, Bambeli in Hoshiarpur.
Mr. Sajjan is likely to visit Unique Home — a home for abandoned girl children in Jalandhar on his way to Bambeli —where he will meet nearly 60 girls who live there.
The SGPC as per traditions, honoured Mr. Sajjan by presenting with a 'siropa' (robe of honour), shawl and set of religious books.
“Mr. Sajjan is a senior dignitary of Canada, who has done commendable work for his community and the country..It is a proud moment for all as we honour him,” said SGPC Head, Kirpal Singh Badungar, who was present at the holy Sikh shrine.
The Canadian Minister will be in Chandigarh on Friday where he will inaugurate the new office of the Consulate-General of Canada.
Mr. Sajjan, who has been dubbed as a 'Khalistani sympathiser' by Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh was received by district administration officers on Wednesday evening as he arrived in the Amritsar.
As the Deputy commissioner Amritsar Kamaldeep Singh Sangha was not in the city, Ajnala sub-divisional magistrate Anupreet Kaur received the dignitary at Sri Guru Ramdas Airport.
Members of some radical groups were present outside the airport terminal with banners welcoming Mr. Sajjan, they were, however, not allowed to meet the dignitary due to security reasons.
