Akali youths blacken Rajiv Gandhi statue, Cong leader cleans it with turban

Tribune News Service 
Ludhiana, December 25

Accusing former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi of killing the Sikhs during the 1984 riots, youth Akali leaders in protest blackened the leader’s statue at Salem Tabri in Ludhiana on Tuesday.  

Soon after, Congress leader Gursimran Singh Mand cleaned the statue with his turban and milk.

The two leaders, who blackened the statue, were identified as Meetpal Dugri and Gurdeep Singh Gosha.

They alleged that Rajiv Gandhi was the mastermind behind the riots and all his statues all over the country should be removed.  

They demanded rescinding the top award to Rajiv Gandhi over his infamous speech to justify 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Gosha said:  “We don’t fear the law. Despite the Congress government in power, we will continue to blacken the statues of Rajiv Gandhi.”

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh flayed the act, he tweeted: “Strongly condemn vandalisation of Rajiv Gandhi's statue by @Akali_Dal_ workers in Ludhiana. Have asked Police to identify the guilty & take strict action. @officeofssbadal should apologise to people of Punjab for this obnoxious act.”

Meanwhile, Ludhiana Congress president Gurpreet Singh Gogi said the culprits would not be spared and they have registered a complaint with the police.