BENGALURU: With a fresh probe likely into 1984 anti-Sikh riots of Delhi in which Congress leaders had faced trial, Digvijay Singh today alleged involvement of RSS activists into the violence and questioned why there has been silence on the issue.
"We are all very sad and condemn the Sikh riots, but I think this issue has been investigated, people who had been investigated have stood the trial of court; and I think whatever has to be done, whoever has to be punished, has been punished," Singh told reporters here.
"But one aspect of the Sikh riots, media and the others have been very silent also is the role of the RSS activists in the Sikh riots," he added.
A fresh probe is likely with a government-appointed committee recommending constitution of an SIT, a move seen by Congress as an attempt to woo voters ahead of polls in Delhi.
On Jayanthi Natarajan's resignation and her allegations against Rahul Gandhi, Singh said, "Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, both as senior political leaders, have been extremely sensitive to the cause of forest and environment and the tribal rights.
"They have brought it to the notice of Forest and Environment Ministry not only when Jayanthi Natarajan was there as minister but earlier also."
"From Indira Gandhi's time when she enacted the Forest Conservation Act, the Congress party is extremely sensitive to the issues of forest and environment, conservation of forest and the tribal rights."
"It is unfortunate that Jayanthi Natarajan has now come out levelling charges against Rahul Gandhi," he said.
Natarajan quit Congress after slamming Rahul saying that she followed his direction on green nod to projects but was 'vilified, humiliated and sidelined' by central leadership.
Pointing out that ex-servicemen held demonstrations in Delhi today seeking implementation of 'One Rank, One Pension', Singh said the Congress would raise the issue in Parliament demanding its implementation.
On talks with Congress' state leadership, Singh, in-charge of state party affairs, said the party would be completing two years in government soon.
"... a mid-course appraisal party has to do so that we prepare ourselves and strategise to meet the challenges of communal forces during 2018 assembly elections."
On Cabinet reshuffle, he said it was the Chief Minister's right."...I think whenever he wants to reshuffle his Cabinet, he is free to do that.
On demand for Deputy Chief Minister, he said "this is absolutely in the hands of the Chief Minister, as far as the AICC is concerned we don't interfere in it."