Perpetrators of 1984 anti-Sikh riots were also protectors of accused: Amit Shah slams Congress

Amit Shah, in a veiled reference to the Congress, said that the Sikh victims had been denied justice for so many years because "the perpetrators of the riots were also the protectors (of the accused)".

BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress for not bringing to justice the guilty in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. 

Speaking at a conclave of the BJP's booth level workers in the national capital, Shah, in a veiled reference to the Congress, said that the Sikh victims had been denied justice for so many years because "the perpetrators of the riots were also the protectors (of the accused)".

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre in four years of its rule had not only "assured justice" to the victims by formation of a special investigation team but also provided compensation to the affected families.

"After the formation of the Modi government, a compensation of Rs 5 lakh has been given to the victims and the formation of SIT has been done to punish the culprits," said Shah.

The BJP chief also lashed out at the AAP for what happened in the Delhi Assembly over the adoption of a resolution on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and said it was like "rubbing salt" on the victims' wounds.

The Delhi Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in which it was demanded that the Bharat Ratna awarded to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi be withdrawn, but the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swiftly distanced itself from the reference to the Congress leader.

Later, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia clarified that the lines about the former PM were not part of the original resolution placed before the House. He said it was a handwritten amendment proposed by a member, which and it cannot be passed in such a manner.

"What has happened in the Assembly and later was like rubbing salt on the wounds of the anti-Sikh riot victims. It has exposed the double-faced character of the Aam Aadmi Party," he said.

Speaking about illegal immigrants, he reiterated that the BJP government will identify and expel the "infiltrators" from the country. He questioned the Congress' stand over the issue and accused Congress chief Rahul Gandhi of supporting illegal migrants. "In Assam alone, 40 lakh infiltrators were identified. Soon Rahul and his company started making a ruckus in the Parliament. Why are you so worried about them? You worry about infiltrators but not for our citizens who die in bomb blasts by the infiltrators? Why do you worry about them? Are they your cousins (mausere bhai)?" asked Shah.

He also trained his guns at Gandhi over the Rafale deal. "Despite the Supreme Court's judgement on the Rafale deal, he (Gandhi) is still lying and levelling allegations," Shah said.

Exuding confidence about the BJP returning to power after 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Shah said the party's win will mean the victory of nationalism over casteism and nepotism. He claimed that the BJP will return to power in 2019 with a bigger mandate than 2014.

Targeting the AAP, he said the party's chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who claims to be a common man, is now moving around with security personnel. "Where are the hospitals, schools, marshals in buses for women's security and CCTV cameras? The condition of Mohalla Clinics is such that filth and dogs have been found in many of them," he said.
The Kejriwal government has "failed" to keep its promises in Delhi, he alleged.

Shah claimed that the Modi government had fulfilled all its promises for Delhi and the BJP will give an account of its work to the voters in 2019 elections. He added that it was "unfortunate" that the Kejriwal government did not allow implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi fearing Modi will gain popularity.

Shah accused the Congress of "bungling" crores of rupees by using the National Herald building as "private property". He alleged that the party hid Rs 600 crore to save income tax.