In a series of Tweets, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal on Monday has called out Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi to remove Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress leader Kamal Nath from party leadership. He also welcomed the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) move to reopen the investigation against Nath's role in the 1984 riots.

Press Conference by Akali Dal leader

Renewing their claims against Kamal Nath over his alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Akali Dal on Monday addressed a press briefing detailing statements of the two witnesses against Kamal Nath.

Akali Dal leader Majinder Singh Sirsa said that statement to the Nanavati Commission given by Sardar Mukhtiar Singh mentions the name of Kamal Nath in inciting the anti-Sikh violence.  

Quoting excerpts from Sanjay Suri's book titled 1984 'The Anti-Sikh Violence and After' as his statement, Sirsa read: "As far as Kamla Nath is concerned at page 49 of the book, it has been clarified - 'Kamla Nath and that crowd had a connection; he signaled, they listened. And they were only likely to respond to him if they were from the Congress party and accepted him as their leader, not just any leader.' 

Presenting documents and Akali Dal's affidavit on Kamal Nath's involvement in the riots, Sirsa appealed other witnesses to come forward to testify and assured that the Gurudwara Committee will protect them. Two of his primary demands included - Resignation of Kamal Nath from Congress party as well from the post of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and security to both the witnesses so that they can depose without fear.

READ I Akali Dal says witnesses will testify on Kamal Nath's 1984 riots link

Sirsa claimed that Suri and Mukhtiar Singh have agreed to dispose their statements against Kamal Nath before the SIT on any specified dates. In his statement, the Akali Dal leader also alleged that Kamal Nath was seen provoking the crowd. 

READ I Akali Dal to brief press about Kamal Nath-link to 1984 riots on Monday

Previously, Republic Media Network had conducted a sting operation into Kamal Nath's involvement in the 1984 riots. An eye witness to the incident, Mukhtiyar Singh had revealed on hidden camera that the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh incited violence and instigated people to kill, saying 'they killed our mother'. He said, "He got a mob to burn. He had a lot of people with him. He was inciting the mob. He made noise and said 'maaro, they killed our mother,' he said maaro."

READ I Akali Dal Demands Return Of Sikh Treasure 'taken Away' By Army During Operation Blue Star

About Operation Blue Star

The 1984 Operation Blue Star was the biggest internal security mission in independent India ever undertaken by the Indian Army. The Operation was Indira Gandhi government's solution to the disturbed law and order situation in the state of Punjab, primarily due to the rise of Khalistan movement. Indira Gandhi had ordered the military operation to remove Sikh militants who were accumulating weapons in the Harmandir Sahib Complex (Golden Temple) under Operation Blue Star which was carried out between June 1 and June 8, 1984, in Amritsar. The casualties as per the official reports were 83 Indian Army jawans and 492 civilians throughout the whole operation.

READ I 'MHA takes cognisance of complaint against Kamal Nath' says Akali Dal, adds 'will meet SIT & give names of witnesses'