SAD accuses AAP of filing false case to block Romana's Canada entry
Synopsis
SAD has accused AAP of weaponising a false Faridkot case to get party leader Parambans Singh Romana barred from entering Canada — effectively trying to shut down an opposition NRI outreach tour. The allegation, combined with a threatened defamation suit against a Punjab TV channel, signals an escalating diaspora-politics battle between the two parties.
Key Takeaways
SAD alleged on 12 June that a fabricated AAP -backed complaint caused Parambans Singh Romana to be denied entry into Canada .
Romana had obtained anticipatory bail in a case registered during Faridkot municipal elections and had court permission to travel abroad, according to SAD.
SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler claimed the AAP government feared the party's NRI outreach and used 'propped-up charges' to block the delegation.
SAD threatened a defamation suit against an unnamed Punjab TV channel that allegedly claimed Romana was sent back due to being under the influence of liquor.
Neither the AAP government nor Canadian immigration authorities had responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday, 12 June alleged that a fabricated complaint orchestrated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab was directly responsible for party leader Parambans Singh Romana being denied entry into Canada. The charge adds a fresh flashpoint to the already bitter rivalry between the two parties over outreach to the Punjabi diaspora.
What SAD Claims Happened
SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler alleged that a false case was registered against Romana during the recent municipal elections in Faridkot. According to Kler, Romana had secured anticipatory bail in the matter and had left for abroad only after obtaining due permission from the court.
Kler alleged that the AAP government grew alarmed upon learning that an SAD delegation was travelling to Canada to engage with the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community. 'As AAP has reneged on every promise made to NRIs, the government was desperate to stall the SAD delegation. This is why propped-up charges were presented to the Canadian authorities to deny entry to Romana,' he claimed.
The NRI Outreach Angle
The SAD spokesperson framed the visit as a community-service mission, saying the delegation's purpose was to hear NRI grievances and offer solutions. He drew a contrast with SAD's previous tenure in government, during which the party claimed to have held NRI sammelans and set up dedicated police stations for NRI-related complaints.
'But it seems the AAP government, which has done nothing for NRIs, does not want any discussion on this matter,' Kler said. He also alleged that a recent SAD delegation's successful tour of Australia and New Zealand had similarly unsettled the ruling party.
SAD Threatens Defamation Suit Over Media Report
Kler separately flagged what he described as a smear campaign against Romana, alleging that a leading electronic news channel in Punjab had claimed Romana was under the influence of liquor and was sent back to India on that account. SAD categorically denied the claim, calling it a 'canard.'
'If it is not withdrawn within one day and the channel does not issue an apology, we will file a defamation suit against the media house,' Kler warned. The channel was not named in SAD's statement.
Broader Context
The episode reflects the intensifying contest between SAD and AAP for influence over Punjab's large and politically engaged diaspora, particularly in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. NRI communities from Punjab have historically been a significant source of political funding and moral support for parties in the state. This comes amid AAP's ongoing efforts to consolidate its 2022 election mandate, even as opposition parties seek to mobilise diaspora sentiment ahead of future electoral cycles.
Neither the AAP government nor Canadian immigration authorities had issued any official response to SAD's allegations at the time of reporting.
Point of View
If substantiated, would represent a serious misuse of state machinery to suppress opposition political activity abroad — a charge that deserves scrutiny beyond the usual partisan back-and-forth. But the claim rests entirely on SAD's own account; no court record, Canadian immigration document, or independent verification has been cited. The AAP government's silence so far is notable, but silence is not confirmation. The real story here is the intensifying battle for Punjab's diaspora vote, which both parties recognise as electorally consequential — and which neither can afford to cede to the other.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Parambans Singh Romana denied entry into Canada?
According to the Shiromani Akali Dal, Romana was denied entry because the AAP government in Punjab allegedly presented fabricated charges to Canadian authorities. SAD says Romana had anticipatory bail in a case from the Faridkot municipal elections and had court permission to travel. AAP has not publicly responded to the allegation.
What was the purpose of the SAD delegation's visit to Canada?
The SAD delegation was travelling to Canada to interact with the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community, hear their grievances, and present the party's track record on NRI welfare. SAD cited past initiatives such as NRI sammelans and dedicated NRI police stations during its previous government tenure.
What legal action has SAD threatened over media coverage?
SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler threatened to file a defamation suit against an unnamed Punjab television channel that reportedly claimed Romana was sent back from Canada due to being under the influence of liquor. SAD called the report a 'canard' and demanded a retraction and apology within one day.
Has the AAP government responded to SAD's allegations?
As of the time of reporting, the AAP government in Punjab had not issued any official response to SAD's allegations that it engineered Romana's denial of entry into Canada.
Why does the NRI community matter in Punjab politics?
Punjab's large diaspora — concentrated in Canada, the UK, and Australia — is a significant source of political support and funding for parties in the state. Both SAD and AAP actively court NRI communities, making diaspora outreach a contested political space ahead of future elections.
