1984 riots accused Jagdish Tytler named permanent invitee to Delhi Congress; BJP pans move

In a shocking development on Thursday, Sonia Gandhi appointed 1984 anti-Sikh riots accused Jagdish Tytler as a permanent invitee to Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee. Congress president also formed Executive Committee and named members to  Communication department, Doctor's Cell, Booth Manment Committee and Disciplinary Committee of party's Delhi unit. Apart from Tytler, former Union Ministers Ajay Maken, Kapil Sibal and Krishna Tirath and ex-MPs Sandeep Dikshit and Kirti Azad are also permanent invitees to DPCC.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya took umbr at Tytler's elevation in Congress ranks. Taking to Twitter, he stated, "Sikh lives don't matter for Congress party? Is Punjab listening"? 

Alleged involvement in 1984 anti-Sikh riots

A senior leader of Congress, Tytler has served as a Union Minister in past. However, he has faced a barr of accusations since last three decades for his alleged involvement in 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Along with Sajjan Kumar, he was ar mainstream Congress leader who was accused of leading mobs to kill Sikhs. While Nanavati Commission hinted at his role in riots, successive Congress governments did t show inclination to press charges against him.

In fact, he was even inducted as a minister after United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power at Centre. During second term of UPA government, CBI gave a clean chit to Tytler. But a Sessions Court rejected closure report and ordered an investigation into his role. 

Presence at Congress events triggers row

While re has been public pressure on Congress to cut off ties with Tytler, it has often accommodated him on a public platform. In January 2019, Congress faced a lot of criticism from both BJP as well as Shiromani Akali Dal for giving a front-row seat to Tytler during ceremony of former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit taking over as Delhi Congress chief. However, she defended his presence at event. On or hand, Tytler claimed incence, citing that charges against him had t been proved. 

Stoking ar controversy, anti-Sikh riots accused joined protest of Congress party at India Gate on December 16, 2019. symbolic protest was held to condemn actions of Delhi Police in Jamia Millia Islamia University and Aligarh Muslim University as well as against Citizenship Amendment Act. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was one of prominent leaders sitting on a dharna on this occasion.