Channi vs Hooda : Sajjan Kumar remarks trigger Congress fight
A fresh Congress clash over the legacy of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots erupted on Saturday, with former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi launching a sharp attack on party MP Deepender Singh Hooda over his remarks following the death of former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar.
Channi said Kumar, who died in custody on Thursday while serving two life sentences for his role in the 1984 riots, should never be described as a role model.
In a post on X and a subsequent video statement, the Jalandhar MP called Kumar a "murderer of the Sikhs" and a "traitor", and said even speaking positively about him was unacceptable.
"He should have been shot publicly in a chowk," Channi said, adding that Kumar died in jail while serving his sentence.
The remarks came after Hooda, the Congress MP from Rohtak and son of former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, described Kumar's death as an "irreparable loss" and praised his connection with people and contribution to Delhi.
Hooda had said Kumar's contribution to Delhi and the way he stood by people in their "joys and sorrows" would be remembered.
Those comments triggered criticism from within the Congress as well as opposition parties in Punjab.
Channi: 1984 not just a Sikh issue
Channi said the controversy was not confined to the Sikh community and argued that the violence had left a wound on the conscience of the country.
He questioned how Punjabis, Sikhs and the wider country could forgive Kumar, pointing to the thousands killed during the 1984 violence.
"If such people become role models, then the country will be destroyed," Channi said.
Kumar, who was 80, died on Thursday while serving two life sentences in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Punjab Congress distances itself from Hooda
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring sought to draw a line between Hooda's remarks and the state unit's position.
Warring said Hooda's comments could be his "personal view", while stressing that the 1984 violence remained a "massive tragedy" whose trauma continued to affect victims and their families.
He said the Punjab Congress had consistently stood with those affected by the violence.
AAP, BJP step up attack
The controversy has also given opposition parties in Punjab fresh ammunition against the Congress.
AAP leader and Punjab MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said Hooda's remarks had hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community and demanded action against him.
Dhaliwal questioned whether Hooda's statement reflected the Congress' official position and called on the party's top leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge, to respond.
He also asked Punjab Congress leaders to publicly demand action against Hooda.
The BJP and SAD have also criticised Hooda's remarks.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon said the wounds of the 1984 violence remained unhealed and accused Hooda of reopening the pain of victims by describing Kumar as a role model.
The controversy comes ahead of Rahul Gandhi's proposed visit to Punjab, with Dhaliwal asking how the Congress leader would face Sikh voters without first clarifying the party's position on Hooda's remarks.
(With inputs from PTI)
