The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Nabin has taken issue with three Delhi Lok Sabha MPs for their recent visit to the family of Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress MP convicted in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, following his death. The MPs in question—Kamlajeet Sehrawat, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, and Yogender Chandolia—visited Kumar’s residence to extend condolences. This visit has generated considerable attention within the party and beyond.

Sajjan Kumar’s Legal Controversies

Sajjan Kumar, who passed away on August 20, was serving two life sentences for his role in the deaths of Sikhs during the violent events that unfolded after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. His conviction in a case involving the murder of two Sikh men in the Raj Nagar area of Delhi has made him a controversial figure, and the BJP’s stance on the anti-Sikh riots has historically been sensitive.

The prayer meeting for Kumar is set to take place in New Delhi on Saturday, further complicating the narrative for the MPs involved in the visitation. Their actions have ignited scrutiny, questioning the appropriateness of offering condolences to someone with Kumar’s legal history.

The BJP faces a challenging situation as this incident has sparked renewed discourse surrounding the party’s past interactions and positions relating to the 1984 riots. Critics argue that this may undermine the party’s alignment with the victims and their families, who have sought justice for decades.

Criticism from Party Members

Phoolka has called for a boycott of the three MPs, emphasising the inconsistency of their actions with the party’s commitment to justice for riot survivors. His remarks highlight the divide within party ranks regarding the appropriate response to Kumar’s death and the legacy of the violence that occurred in the 1980s.

As the condemnation by Phoolka resonates throughout the party, it adds another layer of complexity to the BJP’s internal dynamics and policy on addressing the legacies of historical injustices.

Party Response and Clarification

In light of the controversy, a BJP spokesperson, RP Singh, clarified that the MPs had visited Kumar’s residence in a personal capacity rather than as representatives of the party. Singh aimed to mitigate the backlash by framing their actions as individual, distancing the BJP from the visit.

The MPs represent constituencies in Delhi that were part of the former Outer Delhi parliamentary constituency, which Kumar had previously served as a Congress leader. Specifically, Bidhuri oversees South Delhi, Sehrawat represents West Delhi, and Chandolia covers North West Delhi.

As the conversation surrounding the visit continues, the BJP’s leadership will need to navigate the ramifications of this incident, especially with the prayer meeting ahead, underscoring the ongoing sensitivity around the subject of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the accountability of political leaders involved.

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