1984 riots: Ban Tytler from attending Olympics, Sikh groups in UK demand

New Delhi: Former Congress MP Jagdish Tytler and former Punjab DGP KPS Gill have landed in a controversy after being included in the official delegation to the Olympics. A few Sikh bodies in the UK have written to its government seeking a ban on their entry to the country.

In their memorandum, the Sikh bodies cited allegations of human rights violations against Tytler and Gill.

All India Sikh Students Federation and Sikhs for Justice urged a ban holding Tytler and Gill responsible for the killings of Sikhs from 1984 to 1998.

A few Sikh bodies in the UK have written to its government seeking a ban on their entry to the country.

Tytler, however, had a different explanation to give. He said that he was not going to participate in the upcoming mega sporting event due to personal reasons.

"I am not going to London for Olympics. I had already conveyed my decision to VK Malhotra, President of the IOA that I shouldn't be considered to go to London Olympics," he said.

Meanwhile, Avtar Singh Makkar, President of the SGPC, said, "We are writing a letter to the PM for this. This government is repeatedly promoting those people who are behind 1984 riots. I feel that this will hurt the Sikhs' feelings and emotions."

"On the one hand, the Congress is saying that it will punish culprits and on the other hand, it promotes the killer of Sikhs. I condemn this. I want to make a request to Mr Manmohan Singh Ji to not allow Tytler to go for London Olympics. They should withdraw this decision," he added.

Meanwhile, Tarlochan Singh, Vice President of the IOA said that it was the Judo Federation that had nominated Tytler's name. "He is representing the Judo Federation... UK Sikhs have approached the UK government to ban entry of Jagdish Tytler. Now, it is up to the UK."

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