Cong questions Modi govt's silence on Sikh separatists' rally in London

After separatist Sikhs staged a pro-Khalistan rally in London yesterday, the Congress today questioned the silence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and the Akali Dal in Punjab over the issue.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also took a dig at the prime minister and his "56-inch chest", which he boasted of ahead of coming to power, while talking of strong action at the border with Pakistan.

"As a sinister conspiracy is hatched to revive militancy in Punjab, why are BJP-Akali Dal mum?

"Why has the 56-inch Modi government been stunned into a conspiratorial silence?," he asked on Twitter.

Referring to the London rally of separatists, he asked, "Are these activities not a conspiracy to divide the country into pieces? Then why the silence?"

Pro-Khalistani supporters yesterday assembled at Trafalgar Square in London in a rally organized by the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), intended to raise awareness for a non-binding referendum in 2020, calling for the Sikh-majority state of Punjab to be granted "independence".

Interestingly, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said the "no-show" London rally by the SFJ for a separate state has exposed the "total lack of ground support" for the 'Referendum 2020' even outside India.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)