Outrage Over Sajjan Kumars Death Comments, Victim Protests Outside Deepender Hoodas Residence

New Delhi, August 22: Outrage has erupted following comments made by Congress MP Deepender Hooda regarding the death of Sajjan Kumar, who was serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. On Friday, victim Nirpreet Kaur placed a poster outside Hooda’s residence in the national capital, which read, “If Sajjan Kumar is a role model, then who is guilty… Deepender Hooda, you should be ashamed.”

Sajjan Kumar passed away on Thursday at a hospital in Delhi. His death has sparked controversy, especially after Hooda referred to it as “an irreparable loss to the political landscape of the country.”

Hooda stated, “Sajjan Kumar was a prominent figure not only in Delhi and rural Delhi but throughout North India. His connection with the people was exemplary, and he is presented as a role model across our country.”

According to NDTV, Nirpreet Kaur was just 16 years old when she witnessed a mob set her father, the head priest of a gurdwara in Raj Nagar, on fire on the morning of November 1, 1984.

After Kumar was sentenced to life imprisonment, Kaur expressed her feelings outside the Delhi High Court in 2018, saying, “I have received justice after 34 years. Sajjan Kumar will go to jail.”

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and families of the victims have also criticized Hooda, urging him to feel “ashamed” for his comments. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia condemned Hooda’s statement, demanding an apology from him and the Congress Party. He questioned whether Hooda would remain a part of the party after such remarks, suggesting that if he did, it would reflect the mindset of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Majithia stated, “Sikhs should now understand the Congress Party’s stance on the 1984 massacre.”

A family member of a victim, who identified himself as Surjit Singh, shared that seven members of his family were burned alive during the riots. He expressed his disappointment, saying, “It is very unfortunate that Deepender Hooda is supporting a criminal. He should be ashamed for praising someone responsible for the deaths of so many people.”

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