Make Operation Bluestar files public, says Harsimrat Kaur Badal

Union minister for food processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal, while holding the Congress responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, on Sunday said that the files related to the attack on Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) during Operation Blue Star should be made public so that the truth is brought before the people.

Addressing mediapersons, the Union minister said that the files related to the most pious place for Sikhs be made public, when tanks and cannon were used in precincts of the holy place, “so that people know the truth behind this horrendous episode”. She said that with the details coming out, the directions issued at that time too would be made public. She said that the roles of Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar should be reinvestigated in the entire episode on the basis of facts that were concealed.

Answering a query on Punjab’s economic health, Ms Badal said that the state’s financial condition was strong. Condemning the “misleading campaign launched by the Opposition”, she said since the state was in the pink of financial health, it was able to successfully implement a large number of welfare schemes in states. She said that in the last nine years, the state has set new records of development and implementation of welfare schemes for its people.

She said that the Opposition should refrain from giving political colour to developmental issues, adding that the massive developmental strides Punjab has taken is the proof of its success.

On being asked about the new affidavit filed in the Supreme Court by the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government pertaining to SYL, Ms Badal said the dual politics of the AAP in election year has been exposed. She said that the flip-flop statements of the AAP and its chief on the SYL issue prove that the party leadership says different things at different times and hence people should beware of such politicians.

The Union minister told Mr Kejriwal that if he was really a supporter of Punjab, it should file an affidavit in court stating that it stood by the Punjab government on this issue.