Prakash Javadekar on 1984 anti-Sikh riots: Conviction of Sajjan Kumar was a "jolt"

Union minister Prakash Javadekar said Monday the conviction of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots was a "jolt" for the party and demanded action against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath for his alleged involvement in the riots.

The Delhi High Court sentenced Sajjan Kumar for conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced him to imprisonment for life.

"The 1984 anti-Sikh riots was a one-sided massacre...the Delhi High Court convicting Sajjan Kumar, in this case, is a severe jolt for the Congress," Javadekar told reporters here.

He said the Congress need not give clarifications on this, instead should take action against its another senior leader Kamal Nath, the newly sworn-in CM of Madhya Pradesh, who was also allegedly involved in the riots.

The riots, in which thousands of Sikhs were killed, broke out after the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.