Amritsar: BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri has admitted that attending the Shradhanjali Sabha (condolence meeting) of Sajjan Kumar, who was convicted in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, was a mistake and expressed regret to the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj.In a letter addressed to Giani Gargajj, Bidhuri said he had visited Sajjan Kumar’s residence at the request of some fellow MPs.“I wish to express my regret to you for this. Going there was my mistake,” he wrote.Recently, AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu alleged that three BJP MPs, including West Delhi MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat, South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and North-West Delhi MP Yogender Chandolia, were present at Sajjan Kumar’s condolence meeting.Bidhuri claimed that in 1993, when he was national general secretary of the Janata Dal, he and other leaders had submitted a memorandum seeking punishment for H.K.L. Bhagat and Sajjan Kumar for their alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.He further stated that on November 11, 1996, during a function at the All India Congress Committee headquarters to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s first education minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, he had publicly objected to Sajjan Kumar’s presence.“At that time, I was the coordinator of the Congress Central Election Campaign Committee. From the stage, I requested the then Congress president, Sitaram Kesri, that Sajjan Kumar was an accused and should not be present there. He should instead be in jail, and such people should be given the death penalty,” Bidhuri wrote.He added that the remarks led to a serious confrontation between his supporters and those backing Sajjan Kumar.Bidhuri also claimed that he had consistently opposed those accused in the 1984 riots.Stating that he never had any sympathy for Sajjan Kumar, even during his time in the Congress, Bidhuri said he never maintained contact with him and always regarded him as an accused in the 1984 riots who had ultimately faced justice.“I am writing this letter with the belief that Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the supreme institution of the Sikh community, and I humbly request that, considering my submission, you may kindly absolve me in this matter,” he wrote.
