[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Panelists applaud Sajjan Kumar verdict, but feel that charge sheeted persons should not be allowed to remain in public life
Even as the Delhi High Court handed veteran Congress leader Sajjan Kumar a life sentence for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, BJP leaders attacked the Congress for “delaying and obstruction” of justice in the 34-year-old case, and also attacked Kamal Nath who too has been under the cloud for his alleged involvement in the anti-Sikh riots. APN’s popular debate Mudda discussed the issue. Anchorperson Anant posed the questions to panelists including Congress’s Ramakant Mhatre, BJP’s Vijay Khera, SP’s Ratan Sen Singh, minority commission’s Parvinder Singh, and APN consultant Govind Pant Raju.
Khera said: “As the party in power, Congress has tried its best to save Sajjan Kumar. Today, people have got justice.”
Mhatre said: “A person is accused only when the courts say so. BJP leaders have no right to attack Kamal Nath since he has not been indicted by the court.”
Parvinder Singh said: “After 34 years, the court has sent the main accused to jail. This is an effort to wipe our tears. Mhatre should be ashamed for talking about Kamla Nath like this. Doesn’t he know that charge sheeted persons are not supposed to be in public life?”
Mhatre said: “People have voted for Kamal Nath. The public wants him to be CM, so we have to give due importance to the people’s wishes.”
Raju said: “Accused have no place in politics, and all of this is in public knowledge. Look at how how former Bihar CM Lalu has been a perpetual accused, and has been in public life too. BJP needs to look at Ayodhya accused. The PM is also accused. Now even the people need to decide this mudda. Why should they be voting for those who are allegedly involved in criminal cases?”
Khera said: “I am surprsied Kapil Sibal is saying that BJP leaders are also accused. It is common knowledge how Chidambaram is expert at orchestrating false affidavits.”
Singh said: “The courts should be thanked that after 34 years justice has been done. Congress doesn’t think of rehabilitation of those whose shops were burnt, those who were maimed or lost their jobs due to the riots. At least BJP has tried to wipe our tears. Congress has done nothing for the aggrieved. Tomorrow such incidents can take place against Parsis or Christians.”
Mhatre said: “The then Congress president Sonia Gandhi asked for forgiveness, Manmohan Singh too asked for forgiveness. “
Ratan Sen Singh said: “If Congress says it is against the court decision, I will myself say on behalf of my party that we shall have no truck with the Congress. Sajjan Kumar’s verdict is a victory for the aggrieved Sikhs. In Punjab, there is a Congress CM. People are not foolish; they look at the larger picture.”
Raju said: “BJP is trying to gain political mileage by raking up the Kamal Nath issue. I feel tatkal justice is needed in rioting cases. Otherwise these are only avenues to grab political mileage.”
Khera said: “Kamal Nath is under investigations, and there are cases of rioting against him.”
Mhatre said: “There were charge sheets against LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi in the Ayodhya case, and yet Advani becomes deputy PM and Joshi was cabinet minister. How does BJP explain that? As far as the Congress is concerned, leaders have asked for forgiveness.”
Raju said: “Both parties take allegations against the other party as their defence. Leaders are trying to throw the ball in the others’ court. Votes must see through this.”
Compiled by- Niti Singh Bhandari
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