Elders condemn Jaipur Sikh youth's hair cutting incident

New Delhi, Aug 24 (UNI) The August 21 incident in which some miscreants cut the hair of a Sikh youth in Jaipur, found echo in the Rajya Sabha today with members, cutting across party lines, demanding stern action against the culprits even as the Centre gave a clean chit to the Rajasthan government regarding the follow-up action taken by it.

The matter was raised by Mr S S Ahluwalia (BJP) during Zero Hour who said such incidents deeply hurt the sentiments of Sikhs and, therefore, stern action should be taken against the culprits.

He said he was ''feeling weak'' at this moment of time because of the tragic incident. Almost all the members said he need not feel alone as the entire House was with him on this issue.

All the members demanded strong action against the culprits to prevent such incidents in future and instill confidence in the minds of minorities.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who was in the House at the time, said the Rajasthan government had started taking action and two police officers had been suspended. He assured the members that adequate action would be taken and justice would be delivered.

''The Rajasthan government is doing well,'' the Home Minister said adding that if, however, any further action was required to be taken, the Centre would not be found wanting.

Mr Patil, while giving a detailed account of how the incident happened, said such incidents were deliberately carried out to start a fight ''between two brothers.'' However, these things should not be encouraged and people must foil all such designs.

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