Yesterday few AAP MLAs moved resolution demanding the withdraw of Bharat Ratna of Rajiv Gandhi. This is indeed a shocking and surprising move given that AAP and Congress share common origin in terms of ideology. It is a well known fact AAP is supported by Congress and vice versa.
The move comes after Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was convicted for his role in 1984 Anti Sikh riots. It is known that Rajiv Gandhi was very much part of the Anti Sikh riots and he made most insensitive statement saying “When a big tree falls, earth will shake”. The resolution was moved by AAP MLA Jarnail Singh was passed by a voice vote in the House.
The Delhi government should “strongly” convey in writing to the Union Home Ministry (MHA) that justice continues to elude the families and near-dear ones of the victims of the worst “genocide” in the history of India’s national capital, the resolution said.
Rajiv Gandhi, who took over the reins of the party and the government following his mother’s demise, was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, in 1991.
Lamba alleged that she was “put under pressure” to support the resolution, which she resisted and boycotted. In a tweet, she said, “I was asked to support the resolution demanding taking back the Bharat Ratna awarded to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Since I didn’t agree to this, I staged a walk out. I am ready to accept whatever punishment is given to me.”
The Chandni Chowk MLA claimed that AAP supremo Kejriwal asked her to resign as MLA. She said she was ready to face “any consequences”. “After I staged a walkout, I got a message from the chief minister to tender my resignation,” she told PTI. “I am ready to do so.”
When asked whether she will quit, Lamba added, “I have won on a party ticket. I will tender my resignation as demanded by the party.”
Party spokesperson and MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj told ANI that AAP’s original resolution did not include the clause seeking withdrawal of Bharat Ratna conferred to Rajiv Gandhi. And that party leader Somnath Bharti scribbled an amendment.
“Original resolution prepared by us had demands of declaring 1984 riots as genocide creating a special law so that strict punishment can be given to perpetrators and creating fast-track courts to try such heinous crimes,” he said.
It is a well known fact that Kejriwal who behaved like the “Son of Soil” of Punjab during elections, doesn’t even care for their cause and still supports those who were responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent Sikhs. His big statements are nothing but election gimmicks.
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