Rahul not linked to ’84 genocide: Bajwa

Chandigarh: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa today questioned the wisdom of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Singh Badal in seeking an apology from Rahul Gandhi for 1984 Delhi genocide. He said Rahul was not even remotely linked with the unfortunate incidents of 1984.

Bajwa said it must be remembered that both Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had apologised to the Sikh community for the genocide.

He stated that no one in the NDA had voiced any regret for the horrific 2002 genocide in Gujarat. “It is surprising that the Badals seek to attack Rahul Gandhi personally for the 1984 genocide when he was barely a teenager at the time,” he said. Former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani should first apologise for having admitted in his book “My Country, My Life” that he had asked Indira Gandhi to launch the Operation Bluestar. Bhattal’s statement came in reaction to the SAD-BJP leaders’ statements that Rahul had confessed to Congress leaders’ involvement in the Sikh genocide. Meanwhile, the Youth Akali Dal (YAD) will stage dharnas across the state on January 31 asking Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to tender a public apology and “uncover the identity of Congress leaders responsible for the 1984 Sikh genocide. Parminder Singh Brar, office in charge, YAD, in a statement here today, said Rahul had “admitted” that his party men were behind the genocide.

Brar said it would go to the people on January 31 and ask them to evaluate the “hypocrisy of the Congress which has indulged in symbolism by installing a Sikh Prime Minister but has been steadfast in its support to criminals”.

Source: The Tribune