Janjivan Bureau / New Delhi : Congress has distanced itself from its leader Sam Pitroda’s controversial statement in connection with the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. In a statement it issued on Friday after Pitroda’s remarks drew criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, in a firefighting exercise, said: “Violence and riots are unacceptable and unpardonable in our society. Indian National Congress and its leadership have strived to ensure justice for 1984 riot victims”.
“We continue to support the quest for justice and stern punishment for those found guilty in 1984 riots as also the subsequent acts of violence including the 2002 Gujarat riots. Any opinion remark made by any individual to the contrary including Shri Sam Pitroda is not the opinion of the Congress party. We advise all leaders to be careful and sensitive,” the statement read.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, who also tweeted the party’s official statement, said in caption that accompanied it: “Riots & Violence have no place in our society. Indian National Congress abhors violence of any kind, against any person or a group of people based on their caste, colour, region or religion”.
Congress leader Sam Pitroda, the person in charge of the party’s overseas units, was quoted as saying on Thursday: “”Ab kya hai 84 ka? Aapne kya kiya 5 saal mein, uski baat kariye. ’84 mein hua to hua. Aapne kya kiya? (Why talk about 1984 now? Talk about what have you done in the last five years. What happened in 1984, happened. What have you done?)”
Here is Congress party’s full statement
“Violence and riots are unacceptable and unpardonable in our society. Indian National Congress and its leadership have strived to ensure justice for 1984 riot victims. We continue to support the quest for justice and stern punishment for those found guilty in 1984 riots as also the subsequent acts of violence including the 2002 Gujarat riots. Any opinion remark made by any individual to the contrary including Shri Sam Pitroda is not the opinion of the Congress party. We advise all leaders to be careful and sensitive.
Congress party believes that justice should be done to 1984 riots victims as also to 2002 Gujarat riots victims. We abhor violence of any kind, against any person or a group of people based on their caste, colour, region or religion. This is the essence of India.
Lastly, unlike the BJP, which has decided to field a candidate charged with terror crimes and is being lauded as its face by none less than Shri Narendra Modi himself. Congress party has shown the moral and political courage to punish people and leaders accused of violence/role in 1984. This is the yardstick of self imposed accountability and sense of justice to people followed by the Congress party, unlike the BP.
May I also add that for BJP, riots are vote garnering exercise in every election, instead of ensuring justice and closure. People should see through this Machiavellian game of deception, distraction and distortion by Shri Narendra Modi.”
