Sunday, August 21 2005 15:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: Pointing out several shortcomings in the Action Taken Report on Justice Nanavati's findings on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) convenor and Samta Party President George Fernandes today (August 21, 2005) said the judge may have 'worked under pressure.'

"There is no mention of the role of (former Prime Minister) Rajiv Gandhi in the report. Moreover, I myself saw so many Congress leaders indulge in violence on the streets. None of their names are there," Fernandes told mediapersons.

"I have high regard for Justice Nanavati but it appears as if he worked under pressure," Fernandes, who visited city's only Gurudwara to gather support from the Sikh community for his nationwide agitation against the findings of the Justice Nanavati report and the Action Taken Report by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, said.

The NDA convenor also said, "The Prime Minister has many rights but whether he is able to do anything with it or not I am doubtful. Asking forgiveness from the people is not enough, action should be taken."

Fernandes also said that he would go to other Gurudwaras in the country and seek support of the Sikh community in his agitation.

When asked to compare the alleged role of Congress leaders in the 1984 riots with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's, during the post-Godhra riots, Fernandes, who was the then Defence Minister in the NDA Government, sprang to Modi's defence saying, "He (Modi) had faxed me a letter to send military at the earliest. The army reached late (in Gujarat) as it was deployed elsewhere."

When quizzed about the current crisis within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including the Gujarat unit where several dissidents are seeking Modi's ouster, Fernandes said, "What is wrong with Modi? In any case, it is an internal matter of the BJP and I will not like to comment on it."

Meanwhile, the Sikh community at the Gurudwara was apparently not happy with Fernandes' visit as many complained that he should not have used the premises for his political agenda.

Several people, who had come for Sunday prayers, said the matter should be taken up with the Gurudwara Management so that in future politicians do not use a religious place for political agenda.