Amritsar, Aug. 21 -- Punjab Congress leaders on Friday distanced themselves from party MP Deepender Singh Hooda's "role model nationwide" remark for former Congress MP and 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict Sajjan Kumar, with party leaders Gurjeet Singh Aujla and Raj Kumar Verka asserting that they stand with the victims of the violence.

Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, speaking in Amritsar, said Kumar had been punished for his actions and maintained that the party stands with those who lost their lives.

"Sajjan Kumar did misdeeds. He has been punished for his actions. A leader does not lead in harming others. We stand with those who died due to him," Aujla said.

On Hooda's remark, Aujla said, "It must be the personal opinion of Hooda ji but...