Harper's India Trip Marred With Controversy and Chaos

Though we will only get the photo-ops and the 'isn't Harper grand' news from Mrs. Peacock's kindergarten class in Pravda Ca-Na-Da, the news out of India tells a different story. Not a different story about the way that the Reformers conduct business, but a different story than the official one.

Apparently he insulted religious groups, refused to talk to the press and roughed up those trying to get a story. Sound familiar?

...refuses prasad, langar; lensmen roughed up

Controversy and chaos marked Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Golden Temple visit. Harper refused to partake of prasad at Darshani Deodi after being dissuaded by his aide, Alisa Mohammed. He also declined langar.

SGPC officials said she also made them vacate their information office prior to the premier’s arrival. “When we objected, she said she had already spoken to the SGPC secretary on the matter. It is for the first time that we have suffered such humiliation at hands of a foreigner in our own office,” said a senior SGPC official, expressing resentment over the behaviour of the Canadian PM’s staff ....

No invites for Bhattal,
Sidhu Tribune News Service
Chandigarh/Amritsar,
November 18. 2009

The Punjab Government drew flak for not inviting Opposition leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu to the reception of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Amritsar today. Amritsar Mayor Shwait Malik, PSIEC chairperson Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and MLA Anil Joshi were not allowed to enter the Rajasansi Airport where they had gone to receive the Canadian premier ....