Voices to Remove CM Kamal Nath Gain Momentum as MHA Clears Proposal to Reopen '84 Anti-Sikh Riot Cases

Ganges19

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posted on 5 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Soon after the announcement, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal demanded removal of Nath as Madhya Pradesh CM, and urged witnesses to come forward 'fearlessly' and depose in the case.

New Delhi: The Home Ministry on Monday cleared a proposal to reopen 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath.

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Manjinder Singh Sirsa told reporters that a Special Investigation Team was investigating allegations against Nath.

"The FIR 601/84 has been reopened and that names Kamal Nath," Sirsa was quoted as saying by The Tribune. The report further said that the DSGMC president added Congress party-led by Sonia Gandhi should dismiss Nath from chief ministership. "If the Congress does not sack him, it will show their anti-Sikh face," he said.

The SIT has opened six more such cases through a notification, the report stated.

Soon after the announcement, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal demanded removal of Nath as Madhya Pradesh CM, and urged witnesses to come forward "fearlessly" and depose in the case.

Now that the case against #KamalNath has been reopened, he should be removed from the post of Madhya Pradesh CM. Case witnesses should be given protection as they get ready to depose. Also, I urge citizens who have any info about the '84 riot cases to come forward fearlessly./2— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) September 9, 2019

Welcoming the move, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed hope of Nath's arrest, and demanded sacking of the CM.

It is high time @INCIndia President Sonia Gandhi sacks #KamalNath as MP CM. Two witnesses including a journalist have already disclosed his role in attack on Gurdwara Rakabganj. Now way has been cleared for recording their statement & inclusion of Nath’s name in FIR.— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) September 9, 2019

Several Congress leaders, including Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, were accused of organising the large-scale riots in Delhi in the aftermath of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination at the hands of her Sikh bodyguards.

Nath is under the scanner for his alleged role in inciting a mob that burnt two Sikhs alive outside the Rakabgunj Gurudwara in New Delhi. Nath's appointment after a big win for Congress in the Assembly elections last year had incensed those who have sought justice for 34 years.

In 2013, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had tendered an apology in the Parliament for the killings of over 4,000 Sikhs in 1984. Soon, then party chief Sonia Gandhi, too, expressed regrets over the riots, which was followed by Rahul Gandhi himself, who said he shared their sentiments.

The Nanavati Commission, formed by the Vajpayee government, submitted its report in 2005 and indicted several local Congress leaders, but ruled out direct involvement of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders.

The Supreme Court had last year ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team to investigate 186 cases of 1984 riots. Justice (Retd) Dhingra is heading the newly formed SIT.