Advani’s remarks “mischievous”
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Dec 13 — Dr Manmohan Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, today criticised Union Home Minister L.K. Advani’s suggestion that he had remained silent when the Centre suggested setting up a second commission to inquire into 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

“It was a cheap attempt on the part of the Home Minister to draw mileage or blame the Congress of obstructing justice. It is false and mischievous, Dr Manmohan Singh said at the party’s regular briefing.

His remarks came in response to Mr Advani’s statement at a function in Delhi last evening questioning the move by Dr Manmohan Singh to “walk out” and read it as an indication of Congress unwillingness to go along with it on the issue.

Dr Manmohan Singh said the issue cropped up when a BJP MP, Mr K.R. Malkani, suggested setting up of another commission of inquiry to go into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots during question hour.

“Our party did not interrupt the proceedings, nor did we oppose”, he said, adding that normally question hour was not meant for policy announcements. “Thereafter, I left the House. Mr Advani stayed on and wanted to know the views of the Leader of the Opposition. Mr Advani is free to draw his inference but accusing me of being silent and by implication being opposed to the suggestion is incorrect.

He said the Congress was for punishing those found guilty of this heinous and barbaric crime”. He said the party was for punishing all those, howsoever high and mighty, irrespective of any political affiliations.

On the party’s view on instituting another commission of inquiry, Dr Manmohan Singh said it was up to the government in case it had sufficient material to appoint such a commission.

Dr Manmohan Singh also took the opportunity to clarify that he had never blamed the RSS for the anti-Sikh riots and said his statement during an election rally was grossly distorted”.

Dr Manmohan Singh, who was the Congress candidate from South Delhi, said at that time he had said those involved in the crime included those in the Congress and the RSS and that all those regardless of affiliation must be punished.

Meanwhile the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has welcomed the announcement made by the Union Home Minister to set up another commission to probe into the riots.