BJP today alleged that the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in which Jagdish Tytler is facing charges were "sponsored" by the Congress at the behest of the Gandhi family and sought to know why the ruling party has been silent on the issue for the last 28 years.        

The main Opposition also said there are no similarities between the 1984 "massacre" and the 2002 post-Godhra riots and claimed that prompt action was taken by the government in the latter case.        

"We welcome the court decision to reopen the case against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre. He is a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee and even contested the 2004 elections. The riots were actually a Congress-sponsored massacre of the Sikhs," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters.