Asked about Sajjan Kumar, Cong cites 2002 Gujarat riots

Smita Sharma & Ravi Singh 
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 17

Asked to react to the life sentence handed to its former MP Sajjan Kumar in the anti-Sikh massacre of 1984, the Congress on Monday chose to attack the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead, for the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Responding to questions as to why did the party not distance itself from the riots tainted leader, former minister and Congress leader Kapil Sibal said, “Sajjan Kumar wasn’t given any ticket by our party and he doesn’t hold any office.”

The party also went on the offensive against PM Modi when asked about the decision to appoint another 1984 riots accused Kamal Nath as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. 

“What about the allegations made against the then chief minister in 2002 Gujarat violence. Rather than questioning Kamal Nath, one should question Prime Minister Modi for riots that took place under his nose,” said Sibbal, flanked by senior party faces Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Abhishek Singhvi in Parliament.

“BJP leaders like Arun Jaitley are trying to give political colours to court’s verdict. They should stop doing so. It is the court’s decision and we accept it,” he added. 

The Congress delegation which was joined by the RJD and CPI after moving privilege motions in Rajya Sabha against the government on the Rafale case, however led to some discomfort in the opposition alliance partners with its line of attack on the Sajjan Kumar case. 

Welcoming the “delayed” verdict, Manoj Jha of the RJD told The Tribune, “We have always maintained that any genocidal violence whether 1984 or 2002, the victims need justice. RJD will never equate genocidal episode A with genocidal episode B. Victims of mass violence must get justice immediately if the idea of India has to remain.” 

“Law has taken its course and finally justice has been delivered. It should be accepted,” said CPI leader D Raja. “If there is credible evidence the law must take its course and the Congress has to make its decisions,” he responded when asked about Kamal Nath.

“Because Arun Jaitley is part of the government, he thinks he can take credit for it. But there is a jurisprudence and legal system in the country,” the CPI MP remarked.

“The law has taken 34 long years to finally catch up and deliver justice.The politburo demands that all victims of communal violence whether they are from 1984, 2002 or other such incidents should get justice. Political leaders who led, backed and shielded the mobs must be brought to justice,” said the CPM politburo in its statement.

Bhagwant Maan of the Aam Aadmi Party speaking to The Tribune said there was a long delay in the verdict with many families of the victims having died as they waited for justice. He also attacked the Congress for adding salt to the wounds of Sikhs by swearing in Kamal Nath as Madhya Pradesh CM , a decision he said would be opposed.