Shocking attempt to shift blame from Rajiv Gandhi: SAD on Manmohan's 1984 riots remarks

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday said he was "deeply pained and disappointed" with Manmohan Singh's comments on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and alleged that it was "a shocking attempt to shift blame" from then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

At an event on Wednesday, former prime minister Singh had said that the 1984 anti-Sikh riots could have been avoided if the then home minister P V Narasimha Rao had heeded the suggestion of calling in the Army.

In a statement here, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief said, "Relevant government records clearly show that the decision against Army deployment was taken at a meeting held at the residence of Rajiv Gandhi."