‘When will you apologise for Sikh riots ’ Punjab BJP targets Rahul ahead of his Sangrur rally

    Chandigarh, Nov 4 (PTI) Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Insaaf Rally’ (justice rally) in Sangrur, the Punjab BJP on Wednesday demanded an apology from the Gandhi family for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, as it launched its 'Zakhm 84 De' (wounds of 1984) conclave, aimed at bringing people face-to-face with what the organisers described as the "horrifying truth" of the massacre.

     The BJP said it is holding the conclave to bring together survivors, eyewitnesses, legal experts and political leaders to discuss the circumstances surrounding the massacre, alleged conspiracy, legal battles and rehabilitation of victims.

     The conclave began with the inauguration of an exhibition on the 1984 Sikh massacre by Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon and the party's national general secretary and Punjab in-charge Satish Poonia. Former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was also present.

     Speaking to reporters, Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon slammed the Congress for holding its rally in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1, saying that the date reopened the wounds of the violence.

     “Now, Rahul Gandhi is coming to Sangrur. Today, the wounds of victims will reopen again,” said Dhillon.

     "I want to ask Rahul Gandhi why the Gandhi family has not apologised (for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots)? 42 years have passed. When will you repent?" he asked.

     "What enmity do you have with Sikhs?... The Gandhi family has, till date, not apologised to the Sikh community," he asked. Senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, too, lashed out at Rahul over the Sikh massacre.

     He said it was the BJP government, which formed a special investigation team in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, that sent many of those who were responsible for the massacre behind bars.

     "I have to ask some questions to Rahul Gandhi, who is visiting Punjab today. On October 31, 1984, the Sikh genocide took place. Your late father, Rajiv Gandhi, had said: When a big tree falls, the earth shakes,” Prasad, who is also an MP, said.

     “Rahul Gandhi, you must answer whether you consider this comment given by your late father right or wrong. You should reply honestly," he added.

     "Second question which I want to ask the Congress party is: former PM Manmohan Singh had once apologised in the Parliament. I was there, but no action was taken because Singh did not have any power, which lay with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

     “Have they (Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi) ever apologised for the Sikh genocide? Today, I would like to say this very clearly and categorically Mr Rahul Gandhi, you justified this also in London that the Congress party was not involved. Will you apologise? he asked.

     "Rahul Gandhi talks a lot about having discussions, and I am asking him a question, and he must reply. And if he does not give a reply, then one will think he is justifying it," said Prasad.

     He said the Congress governments under P V Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh did not make any honest attempt to investigate the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

     "It was under the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA regime that the Nanavati Commission was formed in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and later a SIT was set up under the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and many were sent behind bars.

     “I am a senior advocate and have been Law Minister of the country. As a lawyer, I had the privilege and honour to appear for our Sikh brethren to take up the case against Sajjan Kumar in Delhi High Court and Supreme Court," he said.

     Echoing similar demands, Senior BJP leader R P Singh said, "Everyone had appealed to them not to keep the rally date on November 1. But Rahul Gandhi thinks he is a 'raja' (a king) and whatever he decides cannot be changed. If Rahul had the slightest humanity in him, he should have apologised for the Sikh genocide," he said.

     When asked about Rahul’s "Insaaf Rally" on Wednesday, Singh said first the Congress MP should speak about the 1984 riots.

     “They should go to the homes of the victims and apologise to them,” he added. Rahul is visiting Sangrur’s Phaguwal village to kickstart Congress’ election campaign for the Punjab Assembly polls, where he is expected to target the ruling AAP over the law and order situation and the prevailing drug menace. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge would also participate in the rally. After the rally, he is expected to meet the families of victims of drug-related violence.

     At the conclave, the opening session began with an 'Ardas' (prayer) for the spiritual peace of the martyrs and justice.

     The conclave came days after the BJP questioned the Congress' moral authority to organise the rally on November 1, alleging that the party had not answered for the violence that erupted following the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)