Sikh leaders and families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots protested outside Rahul Gandhi’s residence.
The protesters demanded an apology over alleged Congress remarks describing Sajjan Kumar as a “hero” and “role model”.
DSGMC leaders sought clarification from Rahul Gandhi and the Congress over the remarks.
Sikh leaders and families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots protested outside Rahul Gandhi’s residence on Saturday, demanding an apology over remarks allegedly made by Congress leaders describing former party leader Sajjan Kumar as a ‘hero’, while the DSGMC separately alleged that he had been referred to as a ‘role model’.
The demonstration followed Kumar’s death on Thursday. A former Congress leader, Kumar had been convicted in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The DSGMC said the alleged remarks made after his death had reopened the wounds of Sikh families affected by the violence and demanded that Gandhi and other Congress leaders clarify their position.
The protest was led by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harmeet Singh Kalka and general secretary Jagdeep Singh Kahlon. The protesters gathered outside Gandhi’s residence at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road, where police had put up heavy barricading on Saturday afternoon.
According to PTI, a DSGMC leader questioned whether the Congress regarded Kumar as a ‘hero’ despite his conviction in cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
“After Sajjan Kumar’s death, the kind of statements given by Congress leaders saying Sajjan Kumar is our hero are objectionable. Rahul Gandhi has to clarify today whether Sajjan Kumar is their hero,” the leader said.
The DSGMC leader also referred to a statement made by Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda while demanding that Gandhi apologise to the Sikh community.
“Forty-two years later, the wounds of our families have been reopened. Our sentiments have been hurt. Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders must acknowledge and apologise,” he said.
PTI reported that the protesters were seeking an apology from Gandhi and other Congress leaders over the alleged remarks made after Kumar’s death.
The DSGMC had earlier said the protest was being organised after the Congress “once again allegedly referred to Sajjan Kumar, accused in the killings of thousands of Sikhs, as a role model”. It said the alleged remarks had reopened the wounds of the Sikh community and families affected by the 1984 violence.
Police deployed heavy barricading around Gandhi’s residence as the protesters gathered there on Saturday afternoon.
(With inputs from PTI)
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