Presence of anti-Sikh riot tainted Jagdish Tytler in Sheila Dikshit's Delhi Cong chief takeover event sparks row
New Delhi, Jan 16 (IBNS): With the memories of Sikh massacres in 1984 revived with the recent court verdict and conviction of a senior Congress leader, the presence of Jagdish Tytler, another 1984 riots accused, in the ceremony on Wednesday which marked Sheila Dikshit taking charge as Congress chief can only but trigger fresh controversy.
Jagdish Tytler has been accused of having a large role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India. His name again came to the forefront after another ex-Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was convicted in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot case recently.
Tytler was seen sitting in the front rows during the event on Wednesday.
Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal slammed the Congress over the issue and was quoted as saying by NDTV: "Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi, Tytler was their right hand man. It is a clear signal to Sikhs of the country."
Tytler, however, said charges against him have not been proved so far.
"What can a man say when the Court has given a verdict. You also mention my name. Why? Is there an FIR? Is there a case? No? Then why do you take my name?" the Congress leader told the news channel.
Tytler had served as a minister during the Manmohan Singh government in 2004. However, he quit the post as his name emerged in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots incident.
The Delhi High Court last month convicted Sajjan Kumar, who was also a Congress leader earlier, and sentenced to jail "for the remainder of his natural life" in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot case, annulling his acquittal by a lower court earlier.
He quit from the party after the conviction.
Following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984, nationwide riots had broken out. In one incident five people were killed in the Delhi Cantonment area.
While Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was earlier acquitted, five others were convicted in that case related to the riot.
Several victims have earlier accused that Kumar and Tytler led the mob during the 1984 riots.
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