CHANDIGARH: The Sikh group Dal Khalsa has hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, calling them heirs to a legacy of violence against the Sikh community.
The organization’s statement comes as the two leaders engage in a political tug-of-war. Dal Khalsa argues that while the two may be rivals now, they both represent families responsible for “spilling Sikh blood.”
The Charges Against the Families Dal Khalsa leader Paramjit Singh Mand highlighted the following historical grievances:
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Beant Singh (Bittu’s Grandfather): Accused of presiding over the mass killings of Sikh youth during his time as Punjab Chief Minister in the 1990s.
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Indira Gandhi (Rahul’s Grandmother): Held responsible for the 1984 attack on the Golden Temple.
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Rajiv Gandhi (Rahul’s Father): Blamed for the anti-Sikh riots in November 1984.
Defending the Legacy Responding to whether a grandson should be held responsible for a grandfather’s actions, Mand stated that Bittu has openly defended and taken pride in Beant Singh’s record. The group also noted that Rahul Gandhi continues to lead based on the Gandhi family’s political legacy.
Key Points from the Attack:
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Lack of Apology: The group claims neither leader has offered a clear, formal apology to the Sikh community for their families’ past actions.
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A “Confession”: Mand remarked that Bittu’s recent attacks on the Congress for killing Sikhs act as a “confession” of the crimes committed by both his and Rahul’s ancestors.
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Common Roots: Despite Bittu leaving the Congress, Dal Khalsa views both men as “birds of a feather” due to their shared political history.
The statement emphasizes that for many in the Sikh community, the historical actions of these families remain a significant and unresolved political issue.
