Sajjan Kumar verdict: BJP demands Rahul Gandhi's resignation

The Delhi High Court verdict awarding life imprisonment to Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, is not just a verdict against Sajjan Kumar, but against the Congress party and certain ideology, said BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, who demanded that the AICC president should resign from his post as his party was guilty of subverting judiciary all these years. 

“India had to hang its head in shame before the world due to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Today, the BJP government thanks the judiciary and the Delhi High Court as truth finally triumphs. This judgement raises the important question as to why the judgement eluded India for so long. Rahul Gandhi who talks of the BJP subverting judiciary, should know this one is a classical example of the Congress misleading the courts and commissions, subverting the CBI and other investigating agencies to shield its leaders,” said Patra, charging Rahul Gandhi with doublespeak. 

READ: Delhi HC convicts Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in anti-Sikh riots case

“The Congress party was responsible for the gory massacre of more than 3,500 Sikhs across the country after the unfortunate assassination of former prime minister Smt Indira Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi in an interview had admitted that some people in the Congress party were responsible for the 1984 Sikh riots. But neither Rahul or Sonia Gandhi acted against a single person. Ironically, a few months back, when Rahul Gandhi was in London, he had claimed his party had nothing to do with the Sikh riots. Today, the lies of Gandhi family stands exposed as never before. This conviction of Sajjan Kumar is an indictment of a party. If Sajjan Kumar is imprisoned for life, Rahul Gandhi is imprisoned in his conscience for life and he must resign as the party president,” said Patra. 

Patra also dubbed Kamal Nath's appointment as Madhya Pradesh chief minister an example of the double face of the Congress. “Kamal Nath's name has figured in the report by the Nanavati Commission constituted by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, along with evidence and affidavit. By appointing Mr Nath as the constitutional head of an important state, what message is being sent to the world? It is regrettable,” he said. 

Responding to Congress leaders, like Ghulam Nabi Azad, for allegedly drawing a parallel between the 2002 Gujarat riots and ani-Sikh riots, Patra said, “Today, 34 years after the anti-Sikh riots, truth has come out. This is the time for the Congress party to introspect rather than indulge in a blame game.”