New Delhi: A political controversy has intensified over former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s new memoir-like book, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’. The Delhi BJP has strongly objected to the book’s details related to Operation Blue Star and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The party alleged that Sonia Gandhi has presented historical events in her book in a way that could hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.
Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra said Sonia Gandhi has written in the book that then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi became emotional after seeing photographs of the Golden Temple and the Akal Takht following Operation Blue Star. Calling this account contrary to facts, Malhotra said that saying Indira Gandhi was saddened after a military action she herself had ordered was like rubbing salt into the wounds of the Sikh community. He demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi.
BJP leader and senior advocate H.S. Phoolka also questioned the book’s account related to the delay in deploying the Army during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He claimed that Sonia Gandhi’s account does not match the findings of official inquiry commissions and the statements of then Army chief General A.S. Vaidya.
Congress leaders, however, described the BJP’s allegations as an attempt to give the issue a political colour. Congress MP Rajiv Shukla said the BJP was turning the book’s details into a political controversy. Other party leaders also said Congress had never supported or glorified Operation Blue Star.
Sonia Gandhi’s book records her personal experiences and views on several historical events, including Operation Blue Star, the 1984 riots and the 2002 Gujarat riots. After the book’s publication, allegations and counter-allegations between political parties over these events have intensified.
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