New Delhi, Jul 8 : The SGPC today opposed any move to send Jagdish Tytler to London Olympics as part of the official Indian delegation but the Congress MP said he has no such plans as he is busy with party work.
Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh Makkar said that they are seeking Prime Minister Mamonhan Singh's intervention to ensure that Tytler's name is not among the delegates as there were allegations against him in connection with 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
“We are sending a letter to Prime Minister that people such as Tytler should not be promoted. Why is the government rubbing salt on our wounds,” Makkar said while referring to the riots which followed the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
When contacted, Tytler said, “I had no plans to go to London for the Olympics as I am busy with party work. The Akalis are trying to take political mileage by raking up the issue”.
When pointed out that there was no role of government in sending Tytler to Olympics as he qualifies to go as President of the Judo Federation of India, Makkar said, “We don't know that. Whether it's government or IOA or whoever else is sending him.
Government can act and stop him from going. We have prepared a letter and it will be sent tomorrow. I am reaching Amritsar tomorrow and we will do whatever is required,” he said.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President V K Malhotra said, “If he (Tytler) does not want to go, we will not take him. Judo Federation had sent his name so he was included.
If the Federation decides to send somebody else, we will send him. We have no interest in who goes.” Tytler claimed that he had been cleared by the CBI and the courts of charges of involvement in the riots.
Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh Makkar said that they are seeking Prime Minister Mamonhan Singh's intervention to ensure that Tytler's name is not among the delegates as there were allegations against him in connection with 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
“We are sending a letter to Prime Minister that people such as Tytler should not be promoted. Why is the government rubbing salt on our wounds,” Makkar said while referring to the riots which followed the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
When contacted, Tytler said, “I had no plans to go to London for the Olympics as I am busy with party work. The Akalis are trying to take political mileage by raking up the issue”.
When pointed out that there was no role of government in sending Tytler to Olympics as he qualifies to go as President of the Judo Federation of India, Makkar said, “We don't know that. Whether it's government or IOA or whoever else is sending him.
Government can act and stop him from going. We have prepared a letter and it will be sent tomorrow. I am reaching Amritsar tomorrow and we will do whatever is required,” he said.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President V K Malhotra said, “If he (Tytler) does not want to go, we will not take him. Judo Federation had sent his name so he was included.
If the Federation decides to send somebody else, we will send him. We have no interest in who goes.” Tytler claimed that he had been cleared by the CBI and the courts of charges of involvement in the riots.
