Visa to Jaspal Atwal, Blacklisted Khalistani Militant

Why in the issue?

• Indian visa was granted to a Canadian national Jaspal Atwal, a blacklisted individual.
• Click here to know more on Blacklist

Who is Jaspal Atwal?

• Jaspal Atwal is a Canadian businessman of Indian origin and a Sikh.
• He was earlier convicted of trying to assassinate a Punjab cabinet minister in 1986.
• He is a former member of the terrorist organisation International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF).
• ISYF advocated for a separate Sikh state of 'Khalistan'.
• India declared the ISYF as a terrorist outfit and banned it under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2001.
• The outfit is also banned in Canada, United Kingdom and USA.

Why was he invited now?

• The invitation was part of the government’s new approach.
• It aims at engaging with those who have not indulged in any separatist and extremist activities in recent years.
• This is primarily to marginalise the pro-Khalistan voices.
• Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that Atwal’s name was removed from the blacklist last year.
• Notably, names of more than 100 Sikh individuals were removed when the list was reviewed in 2017.

What is the controversy?

• Jaspal Atwal's presence at a dinner honouring Canadian PM Trudeau has triggered a controversy.
• Trudeau indicated that Atwal issue had diverted attention from the focus on trade and cooperation to extremism.
• The Canadian PM also hinted at ordering an official inquiry into this.

Why were many NRI Sikhs blacklisted?

• The Operation Blue Star in 1984 involved Army action at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.
• Many Sikhs protested the Army action and were alleged to be involved in “anti-national” activities.
• Subsequently they sought political asylum in foreign countries.
• Indian intelligence agencies gave a list containing their names to all Indian embassies and high commissions.
• Consequently, these individuals were denied Indian visas.
• In the early 1990s, Punjab leaders received complaints from Sikhs abroad that they were being denied entry into India.
• The blacklist which was not in the public domain became known after this.

Source: Indian Express, Firstpost