1984 Riot Victims to Protest Rahul Gandhis Rally on November 1

New Delhi, October 24 (Daily Kiran) : Victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots have announced plans to protest a rally scheduled by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at Delhi’s Ram Leela Maidan on November 1. For these families, this date holds significant emotional weight, marking the day when the Sikh community was targeted across various locations, including Delhi.

The victims have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging him to deny permission for the rally. They argue that holding a political event on such a sensitive date would reopen old wounds.

Families affected by the violence have leveled serious accusations against the Congress party and the Gandhi family, stating that after 42 years, the pain remains fresh. They demand that Congress respect their feelings and cancel the rally.

One victim expressed that despite the passage of time, memories of the violence continue to haunt their families. During the riots, many were incited against the Sikh community, leading to the destruction of businesses and targeted attacks based on religious identity. The trauma has impacted three generations of their family. They questioned why a large rally was necessary on November 1, suggesting that it feels like salt in their wounds.

The victims also recalled significant historical events related to the Sikh community, including the June 1984 operation at the Golden Temple. For them, November 1 is not just a date but a painful reminder of loss and suffering.

Another victim, a woman, stated that if the rally proceeds, it will be met with strong opposition. She highlighted the lack of attention given to families who have lost loved ones and called for justice. Her own family lost four members during the riots, and she emphasized that the community cannot forget the violence they endured.

From November 1 to 5, the victims hold religious observances to share their grief and remember those lost. They have appealed to the BJP government, Prime Minister, and Home Minister to consider their feelings and prevent the rally from taking place.

Another woman warned that if the rally occurs, widows and other victims will take to the streets in protest. She stressed that forgetting the events of 1984 is not an option for families who have suffered such profound losses.

One victim accused Rahul Gandhi of trivializing the emotions of the Sikh community. He referenced a controversial comment made by Gandhi during the 2014 elections, suggesting that the community associates the Gandhi family with the violence and destruction of their places of worship. He also criticized the Congress party for giving political roles to individuals linked to the riots, naming Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, and Kamal Nath.

Concerns about inadequate compensation for the victims were also raised. The victim pointed out that while substantial compensation is demanded for political violence, the same attention has not been given to the losses suffered by the families of the 1984 riots. He urged Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership to show sensitivity toward the Sikh community’s longstanding pain, warning that if the rally goes ahead, many widows and victims will gather at Ram Leela Maidan to voice their dissent.

Kamlej Singh Dheer, another victim of the riots, condemned the planned rally, calling it shameful. He stated that instead of holding political events, Congress should focus on seeking forgiveness from the Sikh community. Dheer recalled the tragic events of 1984, when over 3,000 Sikhs were killed in Delhi, and emphasized that the community will never forget the violence they faced.