Kamal Nath's appointment is like 'rubbing salt on wounds': M.S. Gill

Castigating the appointment of Kamal Naths as All India Congress Committee's (AICC) in-charge of the Punjab affairs, former union minister for youth affairs and sports M.S. Gill on Wednesday said Kamal Nath's selection to the coveted post in the state is akin "rubbing salt on wounds".

Comparing the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to the massacre of 1749 where Persian ruler Nader Shah killed thousands, Gill told ANI that the anti-Sikh riot was the second incident in the history of Delhi were such bloodshed was witnessed.

"Truth is truth you cannot hide it. And this selection of Kamal Nath is like rubbing salt on wounds," said Gill.

"In 1749, Nadir Shah came to Delhi. There is Sunehri mosque in Chandni Chowk in front the Chandni Chowk Gurdwara, where he killed a lot of people for two days. So, this is date, which we all remember, and the second similar incident was the 1984 killings, where again after 250 years, many innocent lives were claimed," he added.

Expressing dismay over the lacklustre attitude of governments in bringing the 1984 riots accused to the book, Gill said, "It has been 32 years; no proper investigation has been done in this regard. Many commissions were made, but all failed to give justice and it is saddening."

However, Nath rebuffed all accusations, saying he was given a clean chit in this regard.

The AAP and the BJP have accused the Congress of not being bothered about the state and only caring about people having money and muscle power.

AAP leader and senior lawmaker H.S. Phoolka said Nath was the one leader who was leading a mob at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib on November 1, 1984 and the mob had set the gurduwara on fire.

The Congress Party had last week made important changes in its leadership in three states, including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, where the polls are due to be held next year.