The BJP has taken strong exception to law Minister Veerappa Moily’s remarks that the 1984-anti Sikh riots accused Jagdish Tytler’s charges were less serious than those faced by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Dismissive of Moily’s comparison, the Opposition party said its Chief Minister has not been framed by any authority in the 2002 riot cases, unlike several Congressmen who have been indicted by different commissions for the 1984 riots.
“Gujarat had a history of riots. But there has been no communal riot under Modi during the last 10 years, whereas Punjab kept burning for 15 years after the 1984 riots. What bigger proof could be there about Modi’s secular credentialsIJ” BJP spokesman Abhimanyu said.
The BJP leader claimed Moily’s comparison between 1984 and 2002 riots displayed “Modi phobia” that has gripped the Congress. “1984 riots was a Congress’ sponsored genocide. Several commissions have highlighted the involvement of Congress leaders’ in the act. Drawing a parallel with 2002 riots is totally unjust,” Abhimanyu said.
Asked if BJP’s claim about secular credentials of Modi was also a message to JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, whose differences with his Gujarat counterpart are well known, Abhimanyu replied, “I am just replying to what Moily has said”.
The BJP leader also dismissed that Kumar has questioned the secular credentials of Modi. “We have never heard him making such a remark. We do not comment on hypothetical questions.”
The BJP welcomed SC’s decision on 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict Devender Pal Singh Bhullar’s plea, questioning the rejection of his mercy plea. “Our stand on issues of terrorism is quite clear. We want all such cases to be dealt with iron fist. There has never been two opinions within the BJP on such issues,” Abhimanyu said.
On reports that its ally Shiromani Akali Dal has expressed its disappointment on the decision and whether BJP’s position will have a bearing on its relationship with the Punjab-based party, Abhimanyu replied, “We have gone along well so far.”