Accusing the BJP and the Congress of cutting a deal on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain on Friday said he would meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and that the SIT probe into the riot cases be expedited.
"It is unfortunate that 33 years have passed but justice could not be served. Not even a single culprit has been punished. Justice has been denied," Jain said in the assembly on the last day of the Monsoon Session.
He was participating in a discussion on alleged inaction on part of the Special Investigation Team -- set up by the Centre on February 12, 2015 -- in bringing the 1984 culprits to book.
Jain said everyone knew who the culprits were but those in power did not want to catch them.
The Minister said the Congress did nothing to book the culprits because the riot happened during its rule but the Bharatiya Janata Party too was equally responsible as its leader did noting to bring the culprits to justice.
"It seems they (BJP) have cut a deal with the Congress. They still have time to work seriously on the matter and provide justice to the victims. Every single death should be avenged," the Minister said.
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He also sought the opposition's support to raise the matter with the Centre.
"I will seek appointment with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the issue. I along with all Aam Aadmi Party MLAs will urge him to expedite the SIT probe and ensure justice to the victim," Jain said.
AAP MLA Jarnail Singh initiated the discussion by saying that around 5,000 Sikhs were killed in the riot across the country but the culprits were "roaming freely".
"The SIT is not working properly. I appeal to all the three BJP MLAs in the opposition to raise the issue at the highest level in the central government. I will support you whenever needed," Jarnail Singh said.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and BJP legislators were involved in a heated argument, leading to brief adjournment of the house. Before this, all three BJP MLAs walked out, alleging that they were not allowed to speak on the issue.
BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa made personal remarks against an AAP MLA, to which the Speaker Ram Nivas Goel objected and warned Sirsa that "he will not allow him to do that".
AAP MLA Jagdeep Singh accused the BJP of playing politics on the issue. "People had high hopes from the BJP that it will punish the culprits but nothing happened. It is doing politics over the issue."
AAP MLAs Somnath Bharti and Avtar Singh Kalka also participated in the discussion.
--IANS
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