Nobody Can Forget Anti-Sikh Riots Under Congress Regime: Fadnavis

Mumbai: After political controversy triggered by senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan by describing ‘Operation Blue Star’ as “black day”, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that the Congress party has done atrocities against the Sikh community, which the BJP would continue to condemn. He said nobody can forget that Sikhs were massacred in Delhi and across India under the Congress’s regime.

Mr Mahajan, Maharashtra's Disaster Management Minister and a close aide of Mr Fadnavis, attended the 42nd anniversary commemoration of Operation Blue Star at the headquarters of the Damdami Taksal in Mehta Chowk in Punjab's Amritsar district on June 6. Addressing the gathering, the senior BJP leader described Operation Blue Star as a “black day” and alleged that the military action at the Golden Temple was carried out under the orders of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He compared the operation to an invasion by Ahmad Shah Abdali.

Reacting to the remarks, NCP founder Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said he disagreed with Mr Mahajan's statement.

“A minister from the Maharashtra Cabinet attended an event of the Sikh community. I have nothing to say about his presence there. However, the speech he delivered was very ridiculous. Operation Blue Star was a sacrifice by Indira Gandhi. She never compromised on the country's prestige,” Mr Pawar said.

Responding to Mr Pawar’s criticism, Mr Fadnavis said he had not heard the NCP leader's comments in full but reiterated the BJP’s stand on the anti-Sikh riots. “However, nobody can forget that Sikhs were massacred in Delhi and across India under the Congress regime. We will continue to condemn those atrocities for as long as we live,” the Chief Minister said.

Asked whether he agreed with Mr Mahajan’s remarks, Mr Fadnavis said the BJP leader had attended the event only briefly and was unaware of the background or photographs displayed at the venue. “Girish Mahajan had gone to Punjab for darshan and to pay his respects. He was present there for a very short duration and had no knowledge of the photographs displayed behind the stage. In his speech, he only praised the Sikh community, highlighted its contribution to India's progress, and spoke about the efforts made by the Government of India to bring the community into the mainstream,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that Mr Mahajan had also expressed concern over the growing drug menace in Punjab and said his remarks should not be viewed through a political lens.