Better late than never, say SGPC chief, Akal Takht

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 17

The SGPC and Akal Takht today welcomed the Delhi High Court verdict in a 1984 riots case, but said it had come after a long delay.

Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said all persons involved in the carnage must be brought to book. On the delay in the delivery of justice, he said the issues of minorities were often ignored in the country. He expressed displeasure that Kamal Nath had been appointed Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

Gobind Singh Longowal, SGPC chief, said Sajjan Kumar’s crime was a fit case for capital punishment.

Damdami Taksal head and Sant Samaj president Giani Harnam Singh Khalsa said Rahul Gandhi must tender his resignation as Congress president on moral grounds after a leader of his party was found guilty of involvement in the carnage. He added that Rahul must seek an apology from the Panth.

After 34 years of a long and painful wait for justice, Sajjan Kumar is the first big fish to land in the law’s net, said Dal Khalsa spokesman Kanwarpal Singh.

“The verdict is a big relief to victims and a ray of hope for justice seekers. However, treading cautiously, we have decided to welcome the verdict the day Sajjan Kumar lands in jail,” he added.

All India Sikh Students Federation’s former president Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad said it was a victory of justice, though the verdict was belated.

1984 Sikh Katleyam Peerat Parvar Sangharsh Committee general secretary Bhagwant Singh said the verdict had come too late. He was 30 when his younger brother Harpal Singh (22) was killed by rioters.