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HomePoliticsSonia Gandhi demands Amit Shah’s resignation, BJP says she’s 'politicising' Delhi riots

Sonia Gandhi demands Amit Shah’s resignation, BJP says she’s ‘politicising’ Delhi riots

After Congress Working Committee meeting, interim chief Sonia Gandhi raised questions against Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

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New Delhi: Interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi Wednesday demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the communal riots in Delhi, which she termed a “pre-planned conspiracy”. Gandhi’s statement triggered sharp reactions from the NDA government, which accused her of “politicising” violence.

Addressing a press conference after a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Gandhi said the Delhi Police remained ineffective as Delhi burnt in the past few days. She also slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, holding him responsible and saying the CM should be visible in affected areas and be with the people.

“The CWC offers its condolences to all those who lost their dear ones. We hope for the speedy recovery of all those who were injured in the violence. The Centre needs to take responsibility. The Union Home Minister should resign. It is because of their inaction that Delhi is suffering today,” Gandhi said.


Also read: SC says total lack of police independence a reason they could not curb Delhi riots


‘Politicising the issue’

Reacting to Gandhi’s statement, Union minister Prakash Javadekar criticised her for politicising the issue. He also pointed out that 26 February is the first anniversary of the Balakot airstrike, and said the Congress had questioned that and the surgical strikes as well.

“Right now, people are in hospitals. The role of all parties is to wait for the inquiry. At such a time, to make low political comments is condemnable. Even on Balakot strikes and surgical strikes, they had raised similar questions the day after,” he told reporters.

On her demand for Shah’s resignation, Javadekar, who holds the Information & Broadcasting portfolio among others, said: “There cannot be a more ridiculous demand”.

Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad too slammed Gandhi. “Congress is focusing on politics. Stop cheap politics. We need to restore brotherhood and maintain peace,” he said.


Also read: Who is Kapil Mishra? BJP leader being blamed for Delhi riots had once called Modi ISI agent


‘Conspiracy behind the violence’

The top leadership of the Congress Wednesday held a meeting of its working committee and discussed the violence in Delhi, which has claimed 24 lives so far. Gandhi was joined by former PM Manmohan Singh, as well as senior leaders like A.K. Antony, Ghulam Nabi Azad and P. Chidambaram.

Claiming that there is a conspiracy behind the violence, Gandhi said many BJP leaders had made inciting comments and tried to create an atmosphere of hate.

Gandhi recalled how the previous NDA/BJP prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, took everyone including the opposition on board during such situations, and said this is something that is missing under Modi.

“Even during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, when I was the leader of the opposition, whenever there was any crisis in Kashmir or any other part of the country, he used to himself call an all-party meeting,” Gandhi said. “Unfortunately and sadly, ever since the Modi government has come in since 2014, no such meeting has been called, with the exception of the one called by the home minister. But even that was not an all-party meeting and had Delhi representatives,” she said.

Stressing on the fact that the violence may spread to other parts of the country, Gandhi said there was an urgent need to quell it. “That is what we have said in our resolution. Adequate security forces must be deployed to bring the situation under control. Peace committees must be formed in every mohalla, consisting of members of all communities to ensure that there are no untoward incidents.”

Gandhi also criticised Arvind Kejriwal’s Delhi government for its inaction. “The chief minister of Delhi must be visible in the affected areas and in constant communication with the people,” she said, adding that the “CWC appeals to the people of Delhi to reject the politics of hate and do their best in healing the rifts caused by these shameful events, to help rebuild all that has been lost and to ensure that such events do not take place ever again”.


Also read: Among Delhi riot victims, a 22-year-old auto driver, Bihar labourer, and father of six


Questions raised by the CWC 

1. Where was the home minister and what was he doing since last Sunday?

2. Where was the chief minister of Delhi and what was he doing since last Sunday?

3. What were the reports given by the intelligence agencies in the days immediately after the conclusion of the Delhi elections and leading up to today?

4. What was the strength of the police force deployed on the night of Sunday when there were clear indications that violence will break out?

5. Why were additional security forces not called immediately when it was clear that the situation was beyond the control of the Delhi Police?


Also read: ‘Never thought Hindu-Muslim riots are possible in Delhi, we’ve always co-existed peacefully’


 

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6 COMMENTS

  1. Appoint a commission to investigate role of Kejriwal and Sita Ram Yechury. They are principal proponent of the riots. They initiated and encouraged the riots.

  2. I doubt if the minds of Sonia and Manmohan Singh are working normally due to aging. Sonia Gandhi should go back to Italy and live forever there. India is not her cup of tea.

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