Victims of 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Plan Protest Against Rahul Gandhis Rally in Delhi

Mumbai, October 24 (Daily Kiran) : Survivors of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots have announced plans to protest against Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled rally at Ramleela Maidan on November 1. They intend to write to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging him to deny permission for the event.

One victim expressed frustration, stating, “I want to tell Rahul Gandhi to stop exploiting Sikh sentiments. Whenever he gets the chance, he plays with our emotions.” He recalled a Congress rally in Dausa during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, where Gandhi remarked about seeing his grandmother when he looked at Sikhs.

The victim challenged Gandhi, saying, “When we see you and your family, we remember our loved ones who were brutally killed. We remember the thousands of gurdwaras that were burned and the women who suffered at the hands of your party’s goons.”

He emphasized the significance of their protest, stating that thousands of widows would gather at Ramleela Maidan. “We have endured this for 42 years. You have honored those accused of killing Sikhs and made them ministers. Do you not feel ashamed?” he questioned, referring to leaders like Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar.

The protestor criticized the meager compensation offered to victims, contrasting it with the millions demanded for injuries in other movements. “You seek millions when someone is injured, but when our people were killed, their lives were valued at just ten thousand rupees. This is a mockery,” he said.

He pointed out that violence occurred across 17 states, including Kanpur, Bokaro, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Gujarat, resulting in thousands of deaths and extensive property damage. “In Delhi alone, thousands were injured, yet their suffering was not properly documented,” he added.

Another survivor emphasized that political ambitions should not justify the pain inflicted on families. “After Indira Gandhi’s assassination, our families suffered. Now, when we raise our voices, they try to suppress us. We will protest against this rally,” she stated.

She urged Gandhi to act wisely, stressing that the pain of those who have lost loved ones remains fresh. “The Congress party may find joy in this, but for those who lost family, it is not a happy occasion. We will not back down,” she affirmed.

The survivor concluded by calling for restraint and understanding from Gandhi, asserting that they will not remain silent.