Paromita Das
New Delhi
The 1984 anti-Sikh massacre remains one of the most tragic and shameful episodes in Bharat’s modern history. In the days following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984, violent mobs unleashed a wave of terror on the Sikh community. Thousands of innocent Sikhs were brutally murdered, their homes and businesses torched, and many women subjected to horrific sexual violence.
For decades, the victims and their families have fought for justice, only to face delays, political apathy, and systemic failures. Despite numerous committees and commissions being set up, convictions have been rare, and many of the perpetrators—some of whom were powerful politicians—escaped accountability for decades.
The Massacre: A Calculated Pogrom
The violence that erupted in Delhi and other parts of Bharat following Indira Gandhi’s assassination was not a spontaneous reaction—it bore all the hallmarks of an organized pogrom. Eyewitness accounts, investigative reports, and later commission findings have pointed towards an orchestrated attack against the Sikh community, allegedly carried out with the complicity of political leaders and law enforcement agencies.
Mobs armed with voter lists targeted Sikh homes and businesses, ensuring that the attacks were systematic and precise. Gurdwaras were set on fire, men were burned alive using tires around their necks, and entire neighborhoods were reduced to ashes. Women suffered some of the worst atrocities, subjected to gang rapes and brutal assaults.
Delhi witnessed the worst of the carnage, with over 2,733 reported deaths, though unofficial estimates suggest the toll was much higher. Other cities, including Kanpur, Bokaro, and Patna, also witnessed widespread killings and destruction.
Rajiv Gandhi’s Controversial Statement and Political Response
In the midst of this tragedy, when victims expected empathy from the newly appointed Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, his response only deepened their wounds. On November 19, 1984, during a public rally at Delhi’s Boat Club, he remarked:
“When a big tree falls, the earth shakes a little.”
This statement was widely interpreted as an attempt to justify the violence, trivializing the suffering of the Sikh community. Instead of offering reassurance and justice, the Congress leadership largely remained silent or deflected responsibility.
Successive Congress governments failed to take decisive action against those accused of inciting the riots. Many Congress leaders, including Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, and H.K.L. Bhagat, were named by survivors and witnesses as instigators of the violence. Yet, for decades, cases against them moved at a glacial pace, often dismissed due to “lack of evidence.”
The Long Road to Justice: Commissions and Committees
Over the years, several commissions and committees were formed to investigate the massacre. However, most of them either failed to deliver justice or were criticized for their biased reports.
- Mishra Commission (1985): The first official inquiry, led by Justice Ranganath Mishra, was widely criticized for whitewashing the crimes. It placed most of the blame on police inaction while absolving the Congress leadership of any wrongdoing.
- Kapoor-Mittal Committee (1987): Tasked with investigating police negligence, this committee found 72 police officers guilty of failing to prevent the violence. However, very few of them faced serious consequences.
- Ahuja Committee (1987): This committee determined that 2,733 Sikhs had been killed in Delhi alone.
- Nanavati Commission (2000): Appointed by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, this commission finally acknowledged that Congress leaders and workers were involved in the violence. However, by the time its report was submitted in 2005, many of the accused had already escaped justice due to political patronage.
Delayed Convictions: Small Steps Towards Justice
It was only in recent years, decades after the massacre, that some convictions finally took place:
- Sajjan Kumar’s Conviction (2018): In a landmark judgment, former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the riots. His conviction was seen as a rare victory in the fight for justice.
- Other Convictions: Several individuals have been convicted over the years, but many key perpetrators still walk free.
The Role of Media and Foreign Influence
The 1984 riots also highlighted the role of media narratives in shaping public perception. While some publications reported the massacre with honesty, others downplayed the violence. In recent years, foreign-funded media outlets, including the BBC, have been accused of selectively reporting on Bharatiya history, often ignoring or minimizing Congress’ role in the pogrom.
Moreover, organizations such as USAID have come under scrutiny for their funding of NGOs and media houses that have been accused of pushing anti-Bharat narratives. Reports suggest that USAID has funded training programs for journalists and activists with the intent of shaping discourse against the Bharatiya government. The timing of such funding often coincides with election cycles, raising concerns about external influence on Bharat’s democratic processes.
The Need for Genuine Acknowledgment and Reform
The 1984 anti-Sikh massacre is not just an isolated tragedy—it is a lesson on how political violence can derail democracy. While governments have changed and apologies have been issued, true justice remains elusive.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued a formal apology in 2005, stating:
“I have no hesitation in apologizing to the Sikh community and the entire nation. What happened in 1984 was a national shame.”
But an apology, no matter how sincere, cannot erase the trauma of those who lost their loved ones or lived through the horror. The real measure of justice lies in ensuring that such violence is never repeated.
For that to happen, Bharat must:
- Hold All Perpetrators Accountable: Those involved in inciting and executing the massacre must face legal consequences, regardless of their political affiliations.
- Reform the Justice System: Delays in legal proceedings, destruction of evidence, and witness intimidation must be addressed to prevent future injustices.
- Recognize the Pogrom as a National Tragedy: Schools and textbooks should accurately document the events of 1984, ensuring that future generations learn from this dark chapter.
- Strengthen Anti-Riot Laws: Bharat needs stricter laws to prevent political interference in criminal investigations related to communal violence.
Conclusion: The Fight for Justice Continues
The 1984 anti-Sikh massacre remains an open wound in Bharat’s history. While some justice has been served, the long delays and lack of full accountability have eroded public faith in the system. The massacre was not just an attack on one community—it was an assault on the very idea of justice and democracy.
As Bharat moves forward, it must ensure that such tragedies are never forgotten, and more importantly, never repeated. True justice can only be achieved when all those responsible are held accountable and when every Bharatiya, regardless of their faith, can feel secure in their homeland.
The post The 1984 Anti-Sikh Massacre: A Dark Chapter in Bharat’s History and the Ongoing Struggle for Justice appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
