Leaders from the Congress in Punjab have broken their silence over the controversy surrounding Sajjan Kumar, days after senior party figure Deepender Singh Hooda's remarks terming the former Congress MP's death an "irreparable loss" triggered a political backlash.
Kumar died at the age of 80 on Thursday. He was taken to a hospital after his health worsened in Tihar Jail, where he was serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Hooda had described Kumar as a prominent political figure whose connection with the people was "exemplary". His remarks drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and triggered questions over the Congress leadership's position on a man convicted in riot-linked cases.
Amid the mounting backlash, Punjab Congress leaders have begun distancing themselves from Hooda's comments, making it clear that Kumar cannot be seen as a role model, particularly in Punjab, where the wounds of 1984 still haven't healed.
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said, "It may be his (Hooda's) personal statement, but the people of Punjab have not forgotten the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and still feel the pain."
Former Punjab chief minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi went much further, calling Kumar a "killer of the Sikh community" and saying that even taking his name was a sin. Channi said Kumar had been punished for his role in the riots and had died while serving prison sentences in two cases.
"He can never be our role model. If such people become role models, the country will be destroyed," Channi said, warning those calling Kumar a role model to exercise restraint over their statements.
Congress MLA Pargat Singh said Kumar had been punished for his misdeeds. "Those who lead others towards harming people cannot be called leaders," he said, adding that such individuals could not be role models for Punjabis and Sikhs.
