Union Min Prakash Javadekar slams Sidhu for showering praise on Pak PM Imran Khan

Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday criticized Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for showering praise on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan during the Kartarpur Corridor ceremony in that country.

He also slammed Sidhu for discussing domestic issues with Pakistan at a time when Pakistan has been found involved in cross-border terrorism. "Sidhu committed the biggest sin by flouting norms of diplomatic relations by discussing domestic issues with Pakistan," he added.

"It's surprising to see Sidhu showering praise on Khan at a time when Pakistan has been found involved in terrorism in our country," Javadekar said. "Sidhu should know that the event was not a 'Laughters' Challenge programme," he said.

"Sidhu's Congress party follows the double standard and will not act against him. Earlier Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had gone to Pakistan and spoken on removing Modi, and now Sidhu it seems, is following in his footsteps. Both present the mindset of the Congress," said Javadekar.

Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday praised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for opening the Kartarpur Corridor for facilitating Sikhs' pilgrimage, connecting the holy shrines of Dera Baba Nanak Sahib and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib (Kartarpur) in Pakistan.

Sidhu said that "whenever history is written about the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, Khan's name will be written on the first page."