The union government's move to depute former Congress MP and president Judo Federation of India Jagdish Tytler as head of the Indian delegation to London Olympics has attracted widespread criticism from Sikh bodies across the state.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar has written a protest letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking the reversal of the decision.
"How can government play with the sentiments of millions of Sikhs around the globe? A person accused of genocide is being deputed as the country's representative in London. It is totally unacceptable. We strongly condemn this act and have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking a reversal of this step," said Avtar Singh Makkar.
Makkar warned that if the union government failed to change its decision the committee would launch a world-wide stir.
All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) president Karnail Singh Peermohammad has also denounced the move and approached James Bevan, British High Commissioner to India demanding a ban on Tytler's entry to London.
Peermohammad said that "allowing a person like Tytler to lead the national squad in the London Olympics will bring Indian democracy into bad repute."
{{/usCountry}}Peermohammad said that "allowing a person like Tytler to lead the national squad in the London Olympics will bring Indian democracy into bad repute."
{{/usCountry}}"We will lobby the British government to deny entry to Tytler," he added.
State Bharatiya Janta Party chief Ashwani Sharma too flayed the move. When contacted he said, "We are strictly against the 1984 riots. The government should refrain from sending tainted personalities like Tytler to such highly reputed international platforms. The government should replace him."