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Canadian Punjabi
journalist denied entry into India
WSN Network
NEW DELHI/TORONTO: Canadian citizen and senior Punjabi journalist
Harkirat Singh Kular was denied entry to India and sent back to
Canada despite having a valid visa, a development which has brought
together the Punjabi media in that country on the issue.
Kular is an active journalist for the past twenty years and also
editor and publisher of the Punjab Guardian a Punjabi Newspaper
published weekly from Surrey Vancouver.
The issue was discussed at the Punjabi Press Club of BC, and most
termed it as an attack on the freedom of Press. Punjabi Press Club
President Jarnail Singh said Kular had a multiple visa for India and
has visited India in the past twice on the same visa. When he
travelled by Air China flight 0181 and reached New Delhi on January
6th, 2008, along with his wife, he was not allowed entry to India
while his wife was allowed entry.
The immigration officers refused to divulge any reason for denying
entry and also refused to allow him to contact Canadian Embassy in
New Delhi. Kular was also not allowed to contact any legal help
also. Kular was sent back to Vancouver Canada by the same flight.
Incidentally Kular was going to attend the marriage ceremony of his
niece, which was to take place on January 16Th.His brother passed
away in 2002.
According to Kular on reaching Vancouver he contacted Indian
Consulate Vancouver and related the incident and asked for an
explanation. Even after one week, the Indian Consulate officials
gave no plausible explanation. Then the matter was brought to
attention of the Punjabi Press Club. The Club unanimously declared
the incident of denying entry to a Canadian journalist very
unfortunate.
Jarnail Singh said this is a very serious matter concerning the
issues of freedom of press and basic human rights.
The International Human Rights Organisation (IHRO) strongly
condemned the action of Government of India. Its chairperson D S
Gill expressed their solidarity with Punjabi Press Club and said
they would take up this issue to the logical conclusion, as it was a
very serious matter for all those who are residing worldwide.
16 January 2008
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