In a letter addressed to Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has objected to her comments about senior Akali Dal leader, Bibi Jagir Kaur. Cherie Blair had been invited by a London-based NRI, to inaugurate a government school building in Punjab's Kapurthala district.

At the function organized by the Loomba Trust at Dhilwan on Tuesday, Blair - the president of the trust that gives scholarships to hundreds of orphans in India - projected former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur as a role model for the youngsters.

Khaira said that Cherie Blair sent out wrong message to girls by asking them to emulate Jagir Kaur. His objection to Blair's comment comes with the reference that Jagir Kaur is facing a criminal trial for the conspiracy to kill her own daughter in 2000, for marrying against her wishes. Khaira also pointed out that Bibi's stint as the SGPC chief too had been marred by several controversies.

Khaira, praising Cherie's stature as a successful lawyer, charity worker and as a roving ambassador on various international issues, wrote to her: "Your public appearance with her (Bibi) has sent a wrong signal to the youth, especially the girls, and could have a bearing on the proceedings of the murder trial. In the interest of espousing exemplary international moral standards, I urge you to revise your public statement lest the youth of India start following in the footsteps of leaders involved in serious criminal cases."

Meanwhile, Jagir Kaur reacted angrily to Khaira's letter to Blair, saying that Blair does not need to seek permission from him before she says anything.