BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of whitewashing history in new memoir
India's ruling BJP has accused opposition leader Sonia Gandhi of distorting history in her newly released memoir titled Belonging ahead of state elections.
Political row over book release
The Bharatiya Janata Party claims the book sugar-coats historical wrongs by the Nehru-Gandhi family. BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan stated the motive appears to be camouflaging cardinal sins committed by the Congress party. Congress leaders accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party of creating a spectacle and giving the book a political spin. The memoir was released on Tuesday in New Delhi.
Details on 1984 riots
Kesavan cited the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 which erupted after Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards. Nearly 3,000 people were killed during that violence according to the reports. Rights activists accuse Congress of turning a blind eye and say some party leaders helped orchestrate the carnage. In the book, Sonia describes the riots as a tragic and shameful chapter.
Defense of Rajiv Gandhi
Sonia defends her husband Rajiv against allegations of complicity while acknowledging failures of governance and delayed justice. She notes that some officials looked the other way or even fuelled the violence during those times. Kesavan further claimed that Sonia sought to legitimize and defend the infamous Emergency enacted by Indira. The family continues to control a party that ruled India for nearly 55 years since independence in 1947.
All 2 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- Business Recorder
- Dawn
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