New Delhi, May 10: Hours after Congress leader Sam Pitroda made a controversial statement on 1984 Anti-Sikh riots and Bhartiya Janata Party lambasting the central party for hurting the Sikh sentiments, Congress party on Friday distanced itself from Pitroda stating that it was his personal opinion. It also added that the opinion of Pitroda doesn't depict the stand of Congress party in any way.

Advising the leaders to be more careful while expressing their opinion in public and attacking the BJP the same time, Congress in their statement wrote, "Any opinion remark made by any individual to the contrary including Sam Pitroda is not the opinion of Congress party. We believe that justice should be done to 1984 riots victims as also to 2002 Gujarat riots victims." PM Narendra Modi Hits Out at Congress Over Sam Pitroda's Remarks on 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots, BJP Protests. 

Adding on, it said that the party does not abhor violence of any kind. It said, "We abhor violence of any kind, against any person or a group of people based on their caste, colour, region or religion. This is the essence of India. We continue to support the quest for justice for 1984 riot victims."

Here's the Tweet:

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh while commenting on the issue had said, "I have said it already, I don't accept that statement. It's the duty of the successive governments to find out how it happened, who all were responsible, it must be found, doesn't matter how many years have passed."

However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at Congress leader and had said, "Congress, which ruled for a long time, has been insensitive and that is reflected by the three words spoken yesterday...these words have not been spoken just like that, these words are character and mentality and intentions of the Congress. And which were these words, these were 'Hua to Hua'."

Meanwhile, BJP's Delhi unit asked the police to file an FIR against Sam Pitroda for his comments. It is to be known that nearly 3,000 were killed in the three-day carnage following the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 10, 2019 06:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).