- H. K. L. Bhagat
Hari Krishan Lal Bhagat (
April 4 ,1921 -October 29 ,2005 ) Montgomery now inPakistan .Bhagat was a controversialIndia npolitician belonging to the Congress party. Earlier he served as Mayor of Delhi and as the chief whip of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC).Towards the end of his political career, he was indicted by the
Nanavati Commission for his involvement in the1984 anti-Sikh riots . Riot victims testified that Bhagat led groups of armed attackers and incited them to violence. The Commission concluded recorded that there was "credible evidence" that Bhagat "probably... had a hand in organizing attacks on Sikhs"; it recommended the Government "take further action as may be found necessary." [ Nanavati Commission Report: Full text http://www.carnage84.com/homepage/nancom.htm] The government ultimately declined to prosecute Bhagat because of his poor health by that time.Accused in 1984 Riots
Bhagat was named as one of the accused in the
1984 Anti-Sikh riots and is believed in certain quarters to be guilty of inciting protestors. He was indicted by theNanavati Commission , and riot victims testified that he led a mob and incited them to murder. He was never prosecuted or proven guilty.A strong Indra Gandhi loyalist was known as the uncrowned King of Delhi in the decade of 1980s.He was a mass based leader, and was responsible for a Congress come back in 1980 and 1983 elections in Delhi. He was known to have a strong group in the Congress Party, but was deserted during his last leg of political life by the very same poloticians whom he had built and helped.
He won his first Lok Sabha election in 1980 from the
East Delhi constituency in Delhi. He grew in political stature after Congress(I)'s victory in the local elections (1983). His dark glasses (due to squint) were synonymous of a man with strong political background.Held important ministerial berths including Information & Broadcasting and made the state run TV "Doordarshan" the Congress party's mouthpiece during mid to late 80's.
His career declined after losing from East Delhi in 1989 and his expulsion from the party few years later.
Bhagat died in a hospital after prolonged illness and he was suffering from
Alzheimer’s disease .References
ee also
#
1984 anti-Sikh Riots
#Sajjan Kumar
#Jagdish Tytler
#Kamal Nath
#Nanavati Commission External links
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051030/main4.htm A short profile at The Tribune site]
* [http://info.indiatimes.com/1984/ Times Of India Report on 1984 Anti-Sikh Pogroms]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N16XrqWkLbE NDTV X-Factor discussion about involvement of HKL Bhagat, Tytler, Sajjan Kumar and Congress Party in 1984 riots]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.