Centre let down 1984 riots victims, UPA interfering in Sikh's religious affairs

Raking up the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Saturday said the Central government had failed to address grievances of the victims and accused the UPA government of interfering in the religious affairs of Sikh community.

Speaking at the National Integration Council meet here Badal said, "The shoddy and even criminal manner in which cases related to the 1984 massacre of innocent Sikhs have been dealt with is a case," which reflected the failure of the system to address "genuine grievances".

"The role played by the central government in the 1984 riots and its subsequent justice delivery requires introspection," he said.

"The Union Government has been unnecessarily interfering in the matters of Sikh religion. Such interferences usually lead to radicalisation and it becomes a tool in the hands of fundamentalist forces in the country," the Chief Minister added.

Badal's comments come at a time when the SGPC elections are set to be held in Punjab.

He also criticised the proposed Communal Violence Bill, saying it could lead "to avoidable confrontation between the Centre and the states".

"Section 20 of this bill defines organised communal and targeted violence as internal disturbance, bringing it within the meaning of article 355 of the Constitution, and thus creating a role for the Centre here," Badal said.

"Since law and order is a state subject, section 20 of the proposed bill is a direct transgression into the states' authority by the Government of India," he added.