Capt Singh has shot off a letter to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, protesting against the decision to disallow him from addressing gatherings.
Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh's public meetings in Canada scheduled for next week have been cancelled. He was to hold political rallies in Toronto and Vancouver.
This, after he was informed by Indian Foreign Secretary, Dr S Jaishanker, on phone that Canadian law, under the Global Affairs Policy, prevents foreign governments and individuals from conducting election campaigns in Canada.
The Foreign Secretary said since the former Punjab chief minister's political conference could have violated the rules of the host country and he decided to cancel them.
But, Capt Singh has shot off a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, protesting against the decision to disallow him from addressing gatherings. Capt Singh tweeted his letter and said he was disappointed over, "the gag order that has left a bad taste."
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a human rights advocacy group, had lodged a complaint with the Canadian government against the election activities planned by Amarinder Singh. "By targeting Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living in Canada, canvassing for their votes and holding fundraising events in Toronto and Vancouver, Amarinder Singh would be in violation of Canadian government policy," the SFJ said.
"Since the host country does not allow such events, I thought it was better to cancel them," the Congress leader said in a statement said. "I would, however, look forward to meeting my fellow Punjabis in their homes and small groups to ensure the compliance of the host country's laws," he added.
He met Punjabi NRIs in Chicago, US, this week. His Canada tour begins tomorrow where he will interact with the Punjabi diaspora as part of campaign for 2017 Punjab assembly polls. NRIs hold considerable political clout in the state and influence election outcomes in Punjab. Political parties across the spectrum are known to woo them for both influencing votes and funding election campaigns.