Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal yesterday described as 'shocking' the reported 'clean chit' given by Congress leader Amarinder Singh to Jagdish Tytler, one of the accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, during a TV interview.
'Yesterday, Amarinder has chosen to stand by those who tortured and killed innocent Sikhs,' Badal said.
'Amarinder shamelessly declares that Tyler had no role in the killing of Sikhs. Shock and utter disbelief is what I felt when I was told about this,' he said.
Meanwhile, Amarinder in a separate statement issued at Amritsar, criticised the Chief Minister for 'misinterpreting' his statement about Tytler vis-a-vis the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
'I have neither given any clean chit to anyone nor do I like to blame someone just because Badal blames him,' the Congress leader said.
Amarinder also said that no court has so far held Tytler guilty. 'I have only stated what I heard during my visit to the riot hit areas and after meeting people there (in 1984).'
'Just because people like Badal will get annoyed with my speaking the truth does not make me shy from doing so,' the former Punjab chief minister said.
Amarinder is contesting against senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley from Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency.
