The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reprimanded three of its Delhi MPs after they visited the residence of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to offer condolences to his family following his death.
BJP chief Nitin Nabin expressed displeasure over the visit by Kamlajeet Sehrawat, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Yogender Chandolia, India Today reported, citing party sources.
Kumar, who died on August 20, was serving two concurrent life sentences for his role in the killings of Sikhs during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. His prayer meeting is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on Saturday.
BJP’s HS Phoolka condemns MPs’ visit
The MPs faced criticism from BJP leader HS Phoolka, a prominent advocate for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and who joined the BJP in April
this year.
“Strongly condemn the visit of the three MPs to mass murderer Sajjan Kumar’s residence to offer condolences on his death,” Phoolka said.
He argued that the visit was inappropriate given the BJP’s longstanding support for riot victims seeking justice and its backing for efforts to keep Kumar imprisoned.
“Sympathy should be reserved for victims and their families, many of whom live the horror of those days even till now. I call for the boycott of these three MPs,” Phoolka said.
BJP distances itself from visit
BJP spokesperson RP Singh said the MPs had gone to Kumar’s residence in their personal capacity and were not representing the party.
“The three MPs went to the house of Sajjan Kumar in their personal capacity and not as party persons,” BJP spokesperson RP Singh said.
Bidhuri represents South Delhi, Sehrawat West Delhi and Chandolia North West Delhi. All three constituencies were carved out of the former Outer Delhi seat once represented by Kumar.
Kumar was convicted for the killings of two Sikh men in Delhi’s Raj Nagar during the 1984 violence and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He was also serving a separate concurrent life term in another riots-related case.
