CHANDIGARH: Demanding framing of murder charges against Amitabh Bachchan, All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and National 1984 Victims Justice and Welfare Society, organizations which have been pursuing the court cases of anti-Sikh riot victims for past few years, have declared that they would present witnesses at Akal Takht, who saw the Bollywood actor raise slogans of 'Khoon Ka Badla Khoon' after the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

Reacting to the claims of innocence by Amitabh, AISSF leader Karnail Singh Peermohammad said the witnesses would present their case before high priests on December 5, the day Sikh clergy is planning to discuss a representation sent by Bachchan. In his letter to the Akal Takht jathedar, Bachchan had denied allegations of having provoked the attacks on Sikhs.

Babu Singh Dukhiya, 55, a riot victim, who had especially come from Delhi to attend the AISSF press conference, declared before mediapersons, "Amitabh is one of the culprits. By sending a letter and saying 'My grandfather was a Sikh,' he cannot escape punishment for his actions. I had lost 25-30 members of my family in that massacre. We strongly condemn if any government or organization is planning any move to forgive Amitabh," said Dukhiya, who resides in Tilak Vihar in Delhi.

"Amitabh's statements had actually started the massacre and he has to pay the price for it. One cannot acquit a murderer only on the basis of an apology," Dukhiya added.

Criticizing the SGPC member who forwarded Amitabh's letter to Akal Takht jathedar, Peermohammad said, "It is unfortunate that instead of demanding the filing of murder charges against Bachchan for instigating killing of Sikhs, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) controlled Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee member is pleading his case before Sri Akal Takht Sahib while there is a criminal complaint pending against Bachchan."

Dukhiya added, "Bachchan used to call Indira Gandhi 'mother' and after her death, he used his superstar status and influence to instigate the killing of Sikhs. Due to his continued proximity with Congress, Bachchan's role in 1984 genocide was never investigated and now, when victims have filed criminal complaint in Australia, Bachchan for the first time in 27 years is forced to take a plea of innocence", added Dukhiya.

Bibi Jagdish Kaur, a prime witness in a case from November 1984, whose husband, son and three brothers were killed in the massacre, also gave a statement about how she had watched live telecast on Doordarshan where she saw "Amitabh Bachchan raising his arm and shouting the slogan, 'khoon ka badla khoon sae laengae' twice". Kaur said she would also attend the December 5 meeting.