Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Nabin has reprimanded three of the party’s Delhi Lok Sabha MPs over their visit to the residence of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, who was convicted in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, to offer condolences after his death.
The MPs — Kamlajeet Sehrawat, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Yogender Chandolia — recently visited Kumar’s residence and met his family members. According to party sources, Nabin expressed his displeasure over the visit.
Kumar, who died on August 20, was serving two concurrent life sentences for the killings of Sikhs during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that broke out after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. His prayer meeting is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on Saturday.
Visit draws criticism
The visit came under criticism, including from BJP leader HS Phoolka, who joined the party in April this year. Phoolka, a prominent lawyer who has represented victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, strongly objected to the MPs visiting Kumar’s residence.
“Strongly condemn the visit of the three MPs to mass murderer Sajjan Kumar’s residence to offer condolences on his death,” Phoolka said.
He said the visit was especially concerning as the BJP had for years supported the fight for justice by survivors of the anti-Sikh riots and backed the victims’ families in their efforts to keep Kumar behind bars.
“Sympathy should be reserved for victims and their families, many of whom continue to live with the horror of those days even today. I call for the boycott of these three MPs,” Phoolka said.
MPs visited in personal capacity: BJP
The BJP said the three MPs had visited Kumar’s residence in their personal capacity and were not representing the party.
“The three MPs went to the house of Sajjan Kumar in their personal capacity and not as party persons,” BJP spokesperson RP Singh said.
Who are the three MPs?
The three MPs represent Delhi constituencies that were carved out of the erstwhile Outer Delhi parliamentary constituency, which Kumar represented in the Lok Sabha as a Congress leader.
Ramvir Singh Bidhuri represents South Delhi, Kamlajeet Sehrawat represents West Delhi, while Yogender Chandolia represents North West Delhi.
The BJP’s action comes ahead of Kumar’s scheduled prayer meeting in New Delhi, with renewed attention on the party’s position on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and cases involving Congress leaders accused in connection with the violence.
Sajjan Kumar’s 1984 riots conviction
Kumar was convicted in the murder of two Sikh men in Delhi’s Raj Nagar area during the 1984 riots.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment in the case and was also serving another concurrent life sentence in a separate 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.