NEW DELHI, May 21 (PTI): In a shocking diplomatic gaffe, the Canadian High Commission here has dubbed BSF as a "notoriously violent force" engaged in "systematic torture", prompting India to join issues with that country.

The High Commission, while denying visa to one Fateh Singh Pandher, a retired constable of BSF, has written to him
that his status was "inadmissible" as he had served in a force that engaged in "systematic attacks on civilians".

In his strongly-worded response to Pandher's visa application, a First Secretary with the Mission here has said
BSF was a "notoriously violent force", which was responsible for "systematic attacks on civilians" and "systematic torture of the suspected criminals".

The High Commission official has suggested to Pandher that he should have dissociated from the force to qualify for the visa. When contacted, external affairs ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said, "the matter has come to the attention of MEA and it has been appropriately taken up with the Canadian side."

Pandher, who got the response in December last year, approached BSF which wrote to the Home Ministry, which in turn informed the MEA.

"The MHA received a representation from the BSF. We have sent that representation along with our views to the MEA for further action," a home ministry spokesman said.