New Delhi: BJP leader and grandson of former Prime Minister, Narasimha Rao, has lashed out against Manmohan Singh for saying that if Rao had listened to I. K. Gujral, then the 1984 Sikh riots could have avoided.
Narasimha Rao was the Home Minister during 1984 when the Sikh riots took place in which thousands of Sikhs were butchered in retaliation for the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
Manmohan Singh, while speaking in an event to remember former Prime Minister, I. K. Gujral on his 100th birth anniversary said that Gujral had advised the Rao to call the army at the earliest. He added that if that advice was followed upon then the massacre could have been avoided.
Narasimha Rao’s grandson, N. V. Subash, said, “As a family member, I am saddened by this statement by Dr. Manmohan Singh, it is unacceptable.”
Subash also questioned Manmohan Singh’s statement by asking if any Home Minister can take independent decision without the cabinet’s approval.
Many Congress leaders were behind the massacre of innocent Sikhs during the riots that took thousands of lives.