Wednesday, August 10 2005 16:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: "Why is the Government trying to save those who have been named in the Nanavati Commission's report on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots?" asked Leader of the Opposition L K Advani in Lok Sabha today (Aug 10, 2005).

Participating in a discussion on an Opposition-sponsored adjournment motion, Advani appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to find out who "organised the carnage".

Advani said police during that period functioned in a manner that clearly indicated that there were "orders from the top".

"Who gave the orders?" he asked while referring to the Commission's observation that killing of such a large number of people happened because there was no fear of the police.

He also wanted to know whey there was "deliberate" delay in deploying the Army in affected areas.

Quoting from the report, Advani said while the immediate reaction following the assassination of Indira Gandhi was "spontaneous", the next day the "angry outburst became an organised carnage".

He said at many places, it was noted that police had taken away arms from Sikhs with the assurance that they would be protected.

The report noted that male members of the Sikh community were taken out of their homes and many were burnt alive, Advani said.

Referring to the Action Taken Report, Advani said it noted that then Lt Governor of Delhi P S Gavai was removed within four days of the assassination.

He said the Commission revealed that then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi called Gavai and indicated that he may have to quit. P C Alexander, Principal Secretary to Gandhi, spoke to Gavai and asked him to go on leave with a promise that he would be appointed as UPSC Chairman.

Water Resources Minister P R Dasmunshi said this contention had been denied by Alexander and reflected in the report.

When Advani referred to a newspaper report, which quoted Gavai as saying that had he spilled the beans then, a big leader's life would have been lost. Speaker Somnath Chatterjee objected to references being made from news reports.

Advani said he had subsequently spoken to Gavai who said he stood by each and every word attributed to him in the news report.

Gavai contended that the delay in calling the Army was "deliberate" so that the "sinister plot" was executed.

"This House is interested in knowing who organised the carnage," he said.