Latest news with #Harsimrat
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SAD MP Harsimrat writes to Jaishankar, seeks safe return of Punjab farmer who crossed over to Pak
Chandigarh, Shiromani Akali Dal MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal Monday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to ensure safe return of a 23-year-old Punjab farmer, who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan on June 21. SAD MP Harsimrat writes to Jaishankar, seeks safe return of Punjab farmer who crossed over to Pak Amritpal Singh, a resident of Khaire ke Uttar village in Ferozepur district, went missing along the India-Pakistan border on June 21. He had gone to tend his farmland located across the barbed fencing near Border Outpost Rana under Border Security Force supervision. Amritpal failed to return before the scheduled closure of the gate at 5 pm. The BSF held three to four flag meetings with Pakistani Rangers, who initially denied any sightings of an unknown person. However, on June 27, the Pakistani Rangers confirmed to the BSF authorities that Amritpal was in the custody of local police. In a post on X, Harsimrat said she has urged the external affairs minister to initiate diplomatic communication with relevant authorities in Pakistan to ensure the safe release of Amritpal. "I have apprised the external affairs minister that this incident occurred because Amritpal was suffering from mental stress & emotional disturbance. Have also urged the minister to offer consular and legal access to Amritpal and his family during this difficult period," the Bathinda MP said. Harsimrat also shared a letter which she wrote to the Union minister. "On 21st June, Amritpal, in a mentally distressed state, went to plough his agricultural land, which is situated on the Indian side but extends beyond the border fence, an area that often leads to confusion among local farmers. "Due to his psychological condition, he accidentally crossed the international border and entered Pakistani territory. He was apprehended by Pakistani authorities and, as per the latest information, is being held in a jail under the custody of Punjab Police, Pakistan," she wrote in the letter. She said Amritpal's family and the local community are deeply distressed by his detention, especially considering his mental health challenges. "His inadvertent crossing was not an act of intent but a result of his vulnerable mental state, as corroborated by his family and local officials. International protocols and past precedents emphasize the need for compassionate handling and diplomatic resolution in such inadvertent border crossing cases, particularly when the individual involved is mentally unwell," she wrote in the communication. Amritpal's father Jugraj Singh on Saturday urged the External Affairs Ministry to ensure his safe return to India at the earliest. Amritpal is married and has a three-month-old daughter. He owns around 8.5 acres of farmland located beyond the border fencing on the Indian side. He had left on his bike that afternoon but did not return in the evening on June 21. The BSF even reopened the frisking gate before dusk in search of him, but he could not be found, his father said. During summer months, farmers are allowed to access land between the barbed-wire fence and the international border under strict BSF monitoring between 8 am and 5 pm. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ruling party should strive for consensus on crucial issues, says Harsimrat
As the 18th Lok Sabha completes its first year, here's a look at four-time MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal's performance in the lower House of Parliament and her plans for the constituency. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal speaks in the Lok Sabha during the budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi . (Sansad TV) How do you look at your experience in the first year of the 18th Lok Sabha? Unfortunately, discussions could not be held on key bills. Many bills were pushed through. I feel the ruling party should allow healthy discussions and strive for consensus on crucial issues affecting the nation. What was the high point of the year for you personally or your party in the House? I stood up for the farmers, who still have not got justice despite being assured a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) on food grains. I also spoke on the atrocities inflicted on farmers, who were stopped from proceeding to Delhi to make their voices heard by the Haryana government. I also raised the need to build consensus amongst the Muslim community on the Waqf Board (Amendment) Bill and not give an impression that Waqf properties would be usurped for ulterior purposes under the new dispensation. I also called for the release of the Sikh prisoners besides calling for reopening of the Wagah and Hussainiwala border points for trade and grant of a special industrial package for the border belt in Punjab. Are you satisfied with the number of sittings of the Lok Sabha? It is most unfortunate that the Lok Sabha sittings are being reduced steadily. We should focus on increasing sittings, and as a single member representing the Shiromani Akali Dal, it is often difficult to get time or opportunity to speak in the present circumstances. MP report card | Ruling party should strive for consensus on crucial issues, says Harsimrat What is the most effective way to raise issues of public importance in the House? Members have the liberty to raise emergent issues during zero hour, submitting questions and filing a call attention motion. Unfortunately, due to time constraints as well as the duration of the House, often members do not get an adequate opportunity to raise issues effectively. A via media should be created to ensure more members participate in Parliament. What difference have you made to your constituency in the last one year, and what do you plan to do in the remaining term as MP? I am very focused on my constituency and its needs. I have been demanding a 300-bed trauma centre at AIIMS, Bathinda, and the establishment of a State Organ Transplant and Tissue Transplantation Organisation (SOTTO) at the medical institute. Under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), development works totalling ₹ 9.78 crore have been recommended. I have also demanded the opening of the institute's centre at Mansa and the speedy completion of the Ferozepur PGIMER satellite centre. I will be taking up these issues for redressal. --------------------------------- Updated GFX Harsimrat Kaur Badal Age: 58 years Party: Shiromani Akali Dal Constituency: Bathinda Electoral record: Four-time MP from Bathinda elected consecutively in 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024 House record Attendance: 63% Number of questions asked: 37 Special mentions: 2 Debates participated: 13 Private member's bills: 2 Committee membership Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Food Processing; Committee on Empowerment of Women and Consultative Committee on Home Affairs How she used MPLAD funds: Total funds: ₹ 9.80 crore Spent funds: ₹ 97.56 lakh Unspent Funds: ₹ 8.82 crore Sectors where funds were spent: Streets, drains, dharamshala, shamshan ghat, water supply, mobile water tank, gym, gaushala bhawan, stadium, public shed, for schools and cooperative societies.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
In Bathinda, Harsimrat Badal joins protest march over Pahalgam attack
Members of various political and social organisations staged demonstrations in Bathinda on Thursday over the terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 lives, 25 tourists and a local pony operator. Former Union minister and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal joined a candle march in the city against the 'ISI-sponsored' terror attack and demanded exemplary action against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism. The MP expressed condolences to the victims of the terror attack and said their deaths of innocents should be avenged. Harsimrat called for a probe to identify the intelligence failure, as well as a lack of any police or military assignment at a major tourist site.
Gulf News
19-04-2025
- Gulf News
21-year-old Indian student killed by stray bullet in Canada
New Delhi/Ottawa: An Indian student was killed by a stray bullet in Canada when she was standing at the bus stop, Hamilton Police said. Harsimrat Randhawa, 21, was a student at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. The incident occurred on Wednesday, and Hamilton Police are investigating the homicide. Hamilton Police shared that when they reached the crime scene, they found Randhawa with a gunshot wound to the chest. She was rushed to a hospital, but succumbed. Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, the Consulate General of India in Toronto, in a post on X, said, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Indian student Harsimrat Randhawa in Hamilton, Ontario." "As per local police, she was an innocent victim, fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident involving two vehicles. A homicide investigation is currently underway. We are in close contact with her family and are extending all necessary assistance. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this difficult time," it said. As the tragic news spread, a pall of gloom descended on Harsimrat's family in Dhunda village of Punjab's Tarn Taran district. Relative Sukhvinder said Harsimrat, who has a younger brother, went to Canada two years ago for medical studies. "Police informed us about Harsimrat's death. They shared that Harsimrat was standing on the bus stand when a stray bullet during a gang war hit her," he said. According to a report in CBC News, Mohawk College said it was deeply saddened by Harsimrat's death. Mohawk College said, "Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time." "As a member of the Mohawk College community, we know this loss is being felt by many and we will do everything we can to support Harsimrat's friends, family and the broader college community," it said.
