1984 riots: Akal Takht stands behind Phoolka

AMRITSAR - The Akal Takht, the highest seat of Sikhism, has asked Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Paramjit Singh Sarna and his brother to explain their stand on the controversy over advocate H.S. Phoolka fighting 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases.

Akal Takht chief (jathedar) Gurbachan Singh told IANS: “We have asked Sarna to explain their stand in this matter (regarding Phoolka). We have received a letter from H.S. Phoolka. They (Sarna brothers) have been asked to appear before the Akal Takht on July 26. The Sikh community is solidly behind Phoolka.”

Advocate Phoolka, who spearheaded a 26-year-long battle for justice to victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Wednesday offered to quit as lawyer of riot victims’ families after Sarna levelled allegations against him for “having received crores of rupees for personal benefit”.

In a letter to the Akal Takht Sahib, Phoolka said: “It is not possible for me to continue with the cases.”

“I am conscious that my decision will have an adverse impact on the cases, but my hands are tied. An alternative arrangement be made and a decision be rendered at the earliest so that the community’s interest does not suffer,” he said.

Phoolka’s decision followed allegations made by Sarna and his brother Harvinder in the July 17 meeting of the committee that he had taken Rs.1.09 crore from the DSGMC.

But Phoolka, who himself suffered at the hands of rioters who ruled Delhi’s streets for three days following the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi Oct 31, 1984, denied the allegation.

“I am deeply hurt. I felt humiliated and abused. It was an attack on my integrity and record of selfless service,” Phoolka told IANS.

“I have not charged any fee for the cases or taken any kind of donation. In 1985, I was paid an amount of Rs.15,000 by DSGMC and since 1986 till today, I have neither received any money from the committee nor from any other organisation for these cases,” he said.

Terming the allegation as part of “a deep rooted conspiracy to shield (some) guilty Congress leaders”, the lawyer said: “The conspiracy is to involve me in defending myself against this malicious propaganda and distract me from these cases.”

Phoolka’s decision comes at a crucial juncture of the riots cases. Only two days ago he appeared in the Delhi High Court which upheld the murder charge against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar for allegedly leading a group of rioters.

“Now, when these cases have reached their peak and Sajjan Kumar is badly caught and strong proofs are emerging against another Congress leader and union minister, at this delicate moment, they have intensified their campaign to malign me,” he alleged.

Sarna alleged that when Phoolka appeared before the Justice G.T. Nanavati Commission-set up to investigate the riots-on behalf of the victims during 2000-04, the DSGMC had spent Rs.1.09 crore on the administrative expenses incurred by his team.

“Whatever the DSGMC has spent was unavoidable and not for my personal gains,” Phoolka defended himself.

He said it was only after the Nanavati Commission probe that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had apologised for the carnage; the compensation for the families of dead victims was enhanced to Rs.10 lakh; cases against Congress leaders Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler were reopened and Tytler was forced to resign from a ministerial post.

“I have spent all my life for the cause and endangered my life in the process. I have never expected any reward. But today I am being repaid by having to defend and protect my integrity against false allegations levelled by Sikh leaders,” he wrote in the nearly 2,500-word letter.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), the mini-parliament of Sikhs, also threw its lot behind Phoolka.

“The Sarna brothers are making baseless allegations at the behest of Congress leaders. The Sikh community is with H.S. Phoolka,” SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said.