Report cheated Sikhs, PM must apologise: SGPC

Chaired by SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the executive body primarily summoned to chalk out a programme for the 400th centenary of the martyrdom of the fifth Sikh guru, protested against the ‘‘distortion of facts’’ concerning various leaders of the ruling Congress. ‘‘The PM, being a Sikh himself, should reply in Parliament and should apologise to the Sikhs for the massacre,’’ said Bibi after the meeting.

She added that the earlier inquiry reports had indicted Congress leaders but this report had ‘‘cheated’’ the Sikhs and made a ‘‘mockery’’ of the exercise by ignoring the vital aspects. She said the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) will take the issue to the masses and Sikhs as well as Punjabis will give a befitting reply to the ruling party’s designs at a suitable time. ‘‘The Sikh pride has been challenged. We will not sit silent,’’ she thundered.

The Bibi appealed to the MPs to reject the report. She said a resolution to this effect would be sent to the Centre and the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, the Youth Akali Dal announced it would stage demonstrations across Punjab to protest against the ‘‘sarkari whitewash’’ and denial of justice to the riot victims.

‘‘The Nanavati report and the Action Taken Report (ATR) are non-action reports. Everything has been brushed under the carpet. But the constituent bodies of the Punjab Rights Forum will not rest till justice is delivered,’’ said Prof Jagmohan Singh, general secretary, Akali Dal (Mann), and Kanwar Pal Singh of Dal Khalsa Kanwar at a joint press conference today.