Hoshiarpur (Daljit Ajnoha):- Former MP and senior BJP national leader Shri Avinash Rai Khanna has strongly objected to certain controversial passages published in Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s book Belonging: A Journey of Love. He said that viewing sensitive events related to the country's history through a political lens and presenting them in a one-sided manner was extremely unfortunate.
Khanna said that the manner in which incidents related particularly to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Operation Blue Star and other important national events had been presented in the book raised several serious questions. History should not be used as a means to enhance the political image of any individual or family. To do justice to history, facts, documents and the pain of victims must be given the highest priority. He said that thousands of innocent people lost their lives in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, families were devastated and countless people had to struggle for justice for years. While referring to such painful chapters, any attempt to evade responsibility or give anyone a clean chit was like rubbing salt into the wounds of the victim families.
Khanna said that the history of the Congress party had been associated with many such questions to which the country was still seeking answers. Instead of introspecting, the Congress leadership should refrain from presenting historical events selectively to suit its convenience. In a democracy, everyone has the freedom of expression, but this freedom also carries a responsibility towards historical facts and the sentiments of the nation. He said that the history of India was not the private property of any political family that could alter it according to its own wishes. Sonia Gandhi should also clarify, on the basis of facts, the controversial issues raised in her book to the citizens of the country.
Khanna said that the BJP believes that national interest, historical truth and justice for victims must remain above every political interest. The people of the country will not accept any attempt to distort or misrepresent history.
