Sonia Gandhi's book an effort to shield Gandhi family: Dhillon and Phoolka

Launching a sharp attack on Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's new book 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon and senior lawyer H.S. Phoolka alleged that it is an attempt to shield the Gandhi family from responsibility for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and Operation Blue Star.

In a written statement, Kewal Singh Dhillon said the book is an effort to portray the role of the Congress and the Gandhi family in a clean light. He questioned the claim in the book that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had tears of regret in her eyes after seeing photographs following Operation Blue Star in June 1984. Dhillon asked why the truth was suppressed for decades if there was genuine remorse.

The BJP president stated that the military action at the Sri Darbar Sahib complex and the attacks on Sikhs in November 1984 cannot be brushed aside as merely an unfortunate chapter to escape accountability. Questioning Congress's 'Punjab Mangda Insaaf' campaign and the proposed 'Insaaf Yatra', he demanded an unconditional public apology from the Gandhi family and the Congress leadership.

On the other hand, senior lawyer H.S. Phoolka, who has fought cases for the victims of 1984, also called Sonia Gandhi's statements contrary to official records. He said the reason given in the book for the delay in deploying the army within Delhi is not in accordance with facts.

Citing the Justice Ranganath Misra Commission, Phoolka claimed that around 6,000 army personnel were present in Delhi between October 31 and November 1, 1984, but they were not deployed. According to him, the commission recorded that had even 5,000 troops been deployed in time, at least 2,000 Sikh lives could have been saved.

Phoolka emphasized that the authority to call and deploy the army vested with the civil administration. He questioned why no action was taken against the officials responsible for the delay in sending the troops. He also outrightly rejected the notion that the violence erupted spontaneously, stating that Sikhs were targeted in an organized manner.

Key developments

• Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon termed Sonia Gandhi's book an effort to cover up the Gandhi family's role.
• Dhillon demanded an unconditional public apology from the Gandhi family and Congress for the 1984 riots.
• H.S. Phoolka challenged claims regarding the delayed deployment of the army in Delhi, citing the Justice Misra Commission.
• According to Phoolka, despite 6,000 troops being present in Delhi, the civil administration failed to take timely action.