Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government “used” Sikh cabinet minister Tim Uppal to try to drive a wedge between Canadians of different ethnic groups, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau charged Monday.

Uppal quickly shot back Monday, however, saying Trudeau’s comments were “outrageous and offensive.”

The controversy centres on remarks Trudeau made to reporters Monday, pointing to a press conference in which Uppal, minister of state for multiculturalism, helped unveil the government’s plan for legislation to ban the wearing of the face-covering niqab at citizenship ceremonies.

“An example is to use Minister Uppal who is very visibly from a new Canadian community to address this issue, which is against Muslims,” Trudeau said.

“It is part of the divisive attacks that work around the politics of fear to try to win a few points by raising concerns that people have. I find that it is completely irresponsible for a government to bet on fear but we have seen very well that is what they do — that is what they do with their attacks on different communities and their political adversaries, whether it is MPs or it is scientists and researchers.”

“We have a government that doesn’t respect the diversity which is a strength for Canada.”

Trudeau said the Conservative government appears to be trying to “single out” Muslim Canadians.

“The other aspect of this that is quite disconcerting is that there seems to be a play by the Conservatives towards cultural communities to try to single out Islamic Canadians from that particular group of new Canadians,” he said. “Any time people are playing up the politics of division and fear for self-serving electoral gain is really the crassest type of politics and is yet another reinforcement of the fact that Canadians need real change and a government that demonstrates that it is worthy of Canadians trust by demonstrating trust for Canadians.”

Uppal, who wears a Sikh turban and full beard, shot back, accusing Trudeau of singling him out because of his appearance.

“Mr. Trudeau’s comments are outrageous and offensive,” Uppal said.

“I, along with the vast majority of Canadians, believe that a person’s face should not be covered as they take the Oath of Citizenship and embrace our country’s values and traditions, including the equality of men and women.”

“Instead of making offensive accusations against me because of my appearance, Mr. Trudeau should explain why he believes individuals should be allowed to cover their face at the very moment they are joining the Canadian family.”

The exchange of accusations between Trudeau and Uppal risks providing political fodder as political parties vie for support in the lead-up to this fall’s election.

The Sikh community’s vote has been courted by all the major parties.

It also risks escalating the debate over the government’s plan to bar the niqab.

Top Trudeau advisor Gerald Butts criticized Uppal Saturday after Uppal told CBC that Sikhs should not be asked to remove their turbans for airport security checks but Muslim women should have to remove niqabs at citizenship ceremonies.

“Tim Uppal, a man who conceals his face & hair, proposes a law preventing women from concealing face & hair,” Butts tweeted.