Sonia Gandhi's book backfires? BJP digs up Babri, Batla House and 1984 riots
Dehradun: A book meant to revisit political history has triggered a fresh confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, with the former accusing the latter of selectively remembering the past while overlooking some of the country's most contentious episodes.
BJP Uttarakhand president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on former Congress president Sonia Gandhi over the revelations and observations in her book, titled, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’, alleging that its contents expose what he described as the Congress' long-standing politics of minority appeasement and electoral double standards.
At the heart of Bhatt's criticism are Sonia Gandhi's remarks concerning the demolition of the disputed Babri structure and the Congress leadership's handling of several controversial political episodes.
He alleged that the party had repeatedly demonstrated sympathy in matters linked to minority appeasement but failed to acknowledge the sacrifices of nationalists, security personnel and Ram devotees.
Invoking several flashpoints from India's political history, Bhatt questioned what he described as the Congress' selective expressions of grief and outrage.
He referred to the Batla House encounter, the Shah Bano case and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, accusing the Congress leadership of allowing electoral considerations to shape its response to sensitive national and religious issues.
The BJP leader also questioned Sonia Gandhi's purported attempt to defend former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi over the handling of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi.
Taking particular exception to claims concerning the Army's role during the violence, Bhatt rejected allegations that former Army Chief General Arun Kumar Vaidya was responsible for delays in deploying the armed forces.
He maintained that attributing responsibility to the former Army chief was factually incorrect and disrespectful to the armed forces.
Bhatt also pointed to Rajiv Gandhi's controversial remarks following the riots, asserting that they remained part of the public record and continued to invite scrutiny.
According to Bhatt, rather than settling questions surrounding the Congress leadership's past, the book has brought several contentious episodes back into public discussion.
He alleged that the exercise aimed to rehabilitate the political legacy of the Gandhi family and shield the Congress leadership from criticism.
Turning his attention to the political mood in Uttarakhand, Bhatt said the people of the state held nationalism, the armed forces and Sanatan traditions in high regard.
He asserted that the public would not accept any perceived insult to the Army, patriots, or religious beliefs.
Expressing confidence in the electorate, the BJP leader said voters would hold the Congress accountable through democratic means for what he termed its historical mistakes.