New Delhi: Raking up the 1984 anti-Sikh
riots, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said
the Central government had failed to address grievances of the
victims and accused the UPA government of interfering in the
religious affairs of Sikh community.
Speaking at the National Integration Council meet here
Badal said, "The shoddy and even criminal manner in which
cases related to the 1984 massacre of innocent Sikhs have been
dealt with is a case," which reflected the failure of the
system to address "genuine grievances".
"The role played by the central government in the 1984
riots and its subsequent justice delivery requires
introspection," he said.
"The Union Government has been unnecessarily interfering
in the matters of Sikh religion. Such interferences usually
lead to radicalisation and it becomes a tool in the hands of
fundamentalist forces in the country," the Chief Minister
added.
Badal's comments come at a time when the SGPC elections
are set to be held in Punjab.
He also criticised the proposed Communal Violence Bill,
saying it could lead "to avoidable confrontation between the
Centre and the states".
"Section 20 of this bill defines organised communal and
targeted violence as internal disturbance, bringing it within
the meaning of article 355 of the Constitution, and thus
creating a role for the Centre here," Badal said.
"Since law and order is a state subject, section 20 of
the proposed bill is a direct transgression into the states'
authority by the Government of India," he added.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, September 10, 2011, 17:33