Akali Dal chief requests PM Modi to acquit 309 Sikh soldiers from 1984

Requesting for relief for former soldiers of the Sikh community, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, on Friday, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking the Centre to acquit the 309 court-martialled Sikh soldiers during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots of all charges. The soldiers have been charged with deserting the army during that time period. He pleaded the Centre to treat them as ex-servicemen and restore all ex-servicemen benefits to them, stating that the soldiers were in shock after the attack at the Harmandir Sahib Complex.

READ | Manjinder Sirsa hails 1984-riots witnesses appearing before SIT

Sukhbir Singh Badal request PM Modi to acquit Sikh soldiers

In his letter he has stated, "On hearing the news of the attack on Sri Akal Takhat Sahib by the army, 309 Sikh soldiers left their barracks in the state of shock. Later they were court-martialled for deserting the army and were punished by the army". He appealed that as India is gearing to celebrate the 550th anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev, the court-martialled soldiers should be acquitted.

WATCH |Akali Dal says witnesses will testify on Kamal Nath's 1984 riots link

Akali Dal's allegation against Kamal Nath in 1984 anti-Sikh riots

Meanwhile, the Centre has constituted an SIT and is probing into Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath's role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Akali Dal leaders have alleged that Nath had incited violence against the Sikh at that time, as per sources. Two witnesses - Sanjay Suri and Mukhtiyar Singh have appeared before the SIT to record their statements. Akali Dal has constantly demanded the resignation of Kamal Nath from Congress party as well from the post of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

WATCH |Akali Dal to brief press about Kamal Nath-link to 1984 riots on Monday

What was Operation Blue Star? 

The 1984 Operation Blue Star was the biggest internal security mission ever undertaken by the Indian Army. The Operation was Indira Gandhi's solution to the law and order situation in Punjab prevalent at that time due to the rise of Khalistan movement in India. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, 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 | Manjinder Sirsa hails 1984-riots witnesses appearing before SIT