Jaspal Atwal, the former Sikh extremist and convicted would-be assassin whose invitation to a dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in India resulted in a national scandal, says he wants to move on with his life and put an end to media scrutiny.
At a press conference Thursday morning at the Marine Building in Downtown Vancouver, Atwal read out a prepared statement to reporters, in which he acknowledged his past crimes and apologized for causing political embarrassment to the Prime Minister.
Atwal was once a member of the extremist group International Sikh Youth Federation and spent almost five years in prison for his role in an assassination attempt on former Indian cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu in 1986.
“I deserved the punishment I received, and I have done my best to redeem myself and to become someone who contributes to Canada and the Indian community,” Atwal read out.
“I renounce any form of terrorism. I do not advocate in any sense for an independent Sikh nation. I, like the vast majority of Sikhs who once advocated for this cause, have reconciled with the nation of India.”
Atwal also said that since his release from prison in 1992 he has visited India on numerous occasions and that there have been no travel restrictions from either Canada or India. This includes his latest visit last month, when he out to Randeep Sarai, MP for Surrey Centre, for an invitation to a dinner with the Prime Minister. Atwal’s lawyer, Rishi Gill, said neither Indian nor Canadian security approached him or vetted him ahead of the events.
“This is not the first time he has gone to a political event,” said Gill speaking for Atwal, who would not take questions directly. He added that Atwal was issued three visas by India in 2017 and was not considered a security threat.
“The fact that he was not approached did not surprise to him. Now if there are further measures that need to be taken, that’s up to the government.”
The RCMP could not be reached for comment on this story.
