Sidhu reprimanded by Sushma Swaraj for hugging Pak army chief, claims Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal

As Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal claimed that he was reprimanded by Swaraj for "messing up" the dialogue on the issue of Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara. Badal said Sidhu was also reprimanded by Swaraj misusing political clearance granted for the "private visit" by hugging Pakistan army chief who is responsible for killing Indian soldiers.

"External Affairs Minister reprimands Navjot Sidhu for messing up Kartarpur Sahib corridor dialogue and misusing political clearance granted for private visit by hugging military Chief responsible for killing our soldiers," Badal tweeted. 

Sidhu, the local government, tourism and cultural affairs minister in Punjab's Congress government, had visited Pakistan last month to attend the swearing ceremony of Prime Minister Imran Khan. A picture of him hugging Pak army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had gone viral which invited severe criticism from several quarters including from his boss Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. 

Earlier, Sidhu had written to External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, urging her to "make every possible effort" on the issue of Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara and said Pakistan had shown "positive intent" in providing access to the historic shrine.

on September 7 Sidhu had claimed that Pakistan had decided to allow Sikh pilgrims direct access to the historic Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara just across the border.

In a letter written to Swaraj on September 8, cricketer-turned-politician said: "Now an opportunity has knocked on our doors. Pakistan has shown a positive intent towards the long pending demand of Kartarpur Sahib corridor. Pilgrims and we all have been demanding for this corridor since years".

He said some positivity came on this issue when he visited Pakistan for the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan.

But now with the county's Information minister Fawad Chaudhary saying that corridor will be opened and even visa wont be required as part of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev ji, it is time for India to take a positive step on this highly emotional issue, he said.

"When opportunity knocks, kindly step up and open the door," wrote Sidhu.

(With PTI inputs)