• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. Hooda called 1984 riots convict Sajjan Kumar a 'role model'.
  2. Punjab Congress distanced itself, supporting victims of the riots.
  3. BJP criticized Congress over Hooda's controversial statement.

Sajjan Kumar Death: Punjab Congress leaders on Friday distanced themselves from the statement of Congress MP from Rohtak, Haryana, Deepender Hooda, in which he described former Congress MP and 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict Sajjan Kumar as a role model. Punjab Congress attempted to damage control as the state is set to undergo assembly elections in the coming months.

Congress leaders Gurjeet Singh Aujla and Raj Kumar Verka said they stand with the victims of the violence. Speaking in Amritsar, Congress MP Gurjeet said Kumar has been punished for his deed and the party stands with those who lost their lives.

ALSO READ: From Sanjay Gandhi's Trusted Aide To Tihar Prisoner, How The 1984 Riots Changed Sajjan Kumar's Life Forever

Sajjan Kumar Was Punished For His Deed: Gurjeet Aujla

Aujla said, "Sajjan Kumar did wrong. He was punished for his actions. No leader can lead by harming others. We stand with those who died because of him."

On Deepender Hooda's statement, Aujla said, 'This may be Deepender Hooda ji's personal opinion, but we believe that whatever happened was wrong and we stand with the victims."

ALSO READ: Sajjan Kumar, Ex-Congress MP Serving Life Imprisonment In 1984 Sikh Riots Case, Dies At 80

Punjab Congress working president Raj Kumar Verka also said the party's priority is to stand with the victims and those affected by the violence. "Sajjan Kumar's life has been full of controversies," he added. This is a matter concerning Punjab and has hurt Punjabis, Verka said.

MP Manish Tewari Declines To Comment

Another Punjab Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP, Manish Tewari, refused to comment directly on Hooda's statement, saying, "I haven't read the statement, so it wouldn't be right to comment on it. If he's saying something, he's capable of speaking on it."

What Did Deepender Hooda Say?

On Thursday, Hooda, expressing his condolences over Kumar's death, said he was a big leader of Delhi and north India. Congress leader praised Kumar's development works in Delhi. "Today, the country's political landscape has suffered an irreparable loss. He is cited as a role model across the country," he added.

BJP Attacked Congress Over 1984 Sikh Riots

The BJP slammed Congress over Hooda's statement. BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu launched a scathing attack on the Congress, saying Kumar and his associates systematically targeted Sikh families during the 1984 Sikh riots. He accused the Congress leadership of protecting culprits.

Bittu said, "Sajjan Kumar, along with his henchmen, systematically targeted and massacred Sikhs and their families in Delhi." He alleged that Kumar was protected until 2014. He added, "Mr Phoolka (advocate HS Phoolka) fought the legal battle and Sajjan Kumar was sentenced to life imprisonment and remains in jail." Bittu also demanded that the Punjab and Delhi Congress units clarify their stand on Hooda's statements.

Kumar, 84, died on Thursday at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. Hospital officials said he suffered from high blood pressure and Parkinson's disease and died at 12.30 pm despite all efforts and life support. A three-time MP, Kumar was convicted in cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

(With Jagran.com/ANI Inputs)


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