Twenty-eight years ago in New Delhi, Kanpur and Bokaro, a murderous attack was launched against Indians of the Sikh faith by mobs organised and instigated by Congress politicians bent upon using the tragic assassination of Indira Gandhi as an occasion for political manipulation and gain.
Twenty-eight years ago in New Delhi, Kanpur and Bokaro, a murderous attack was launched against Indians of the Sikh faith by mobs organised and instigated by Congress politicians bent upon using the tragic assassination of Indira Gandhi as an occasion for political manipulation and gain. In the capital, the police stood mute witness to the killing of 2,733 Sikhs. That inaction and the failure to register cases or properly investigate those that were eventually filed are testimony to the official patronage the killings enjoyed. Rajiv Gandhi, who was Prime Minister at the time, made light of the pogrom, describing them as a reaction — “the earth always trembles when a big tree falls” — to the killing of his mother. Senior Congress leaders like H.K.L. Bhagat who were identified by survivors and eyewitnesses as instigators of the violence were rewarded with ministerial berths. A Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Ranganath Mishra concluded, astonishingly, that the organised massacre was a spontaneous and “involuntary reaction” by ordinary citizens stricken by grief at Mrs Gandhi’s assassination. Subsequent commissions indicted the police for acts of commission and omission but the bitter reality is that the victims of the massacre are no closer to justice today than they were in 1984.
The issue at stake is not simply a moral one. The fact that the politicians and police officers responsible for 1984 not only escaped indictment but actually prospered had grave implications for minorities elsewhere in India. The riot system perfected by the Congress on the streets of Delhi was unveiled again in Bombay in 1993 and, finally, by the Bharatiya Janata Party government of Gujarat in 2002. The parallels between 1984 and 2002 are striking. Like Rajiv Gandhi’s ‘Newtonian’ logic, Chief Minister Narendra Modi described the killing of innocent Muslims in his State as a spontaneous reaction to the burning of Hindu train passengers at Godhra. BJP and sangh parivar activists led the mobs in various places and were rewarded, like Maya Kodnani, with plum jobs. The Gujarat police used the same tactics as their Delhi counterparts to ensure the criminal investigation of major riot cases went nowhere. The big difference between now and then, of course, is the vigilance of the Supreme Court, which intervened when it became apparent that Mr. Modi’s government was not going to provide justice. Difficult though it seems, therefore, judicial intervention is needed even at this late stage to punish the guilty. In the absence of justice, the least the country can do is build a fitting monument in Delhi to honour the memory of the victims. The government may frown on such an act of remembrance but future generations of Indians must never forget there was a time the state looked away while innocent citizens were killed in the very Capital of the Republic simply because of their religion.
Keywords: Indira Gandhi assassination, Sikh riots, H.K.L. Bhagat
The carnage of 1984 had the full backing of the Congress Party and
there was no attempt to call in the Army and control the mobs which
went around killing, looting and burning Sikhs and their property. In
fact the ten Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi even justified the attack.
In the case of Gujarat, the police were called in and police were
ordered to fire into the crowds and this itself shows that the two
situations were not comparable. In fact the Congress went on to give
high ministerial appointments to those involved in ant iSikh pogram
while the Gujarat incidents were not brushed under the carpet.
A wonderful suggestion, the minimum that the congress led govt at the centre can and should do to partly atone for the genocide of 1984. The memorial should be close to India Gate. But this gesture would not be enough by itself. An S I T should be constituted and made to bring as many culprits of 1984 to book as posble even after 28 years
I was not able to control my tears while reading this article. How cruel
they are? Killed 2733 fellow human beings? What mistake they have done?
Worst part is statement from PM "the earth always trembles when a big
tree falls" :(
It behooves us to reflect that there were Sikh families that were saved by the Hindu neighbors and similarly Hindus were served by the Sikhs. Sikh Guru, guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed his life in protecting Hindu religion. We are not as mature as the West in parting justice. The guilty must be punished. Period. I guess we have a long long way to go. We must pray that this type of progrom never occurs in our mmotherland. Never again.
The Hindu has done a stellar job by reminding the nation of the 1984 horror. The absence of 24x7 news channels, internet and social networking at that point in time meant there was never any pressure on or close scrutiny of those involved in the pogram through their acts of commission and ommission. This helped the criminals and their masters to systematically erase the memories of that incident from public memory. Through this editorial, the Hindu has once again raised its esteem in my eyes.
"In the absence of justice, the least the country can do is build a
fitting monument in Delhi to honour the memory of the victims." How
about a monument for the hundreds of innocent victims of Khalistani
terror?
Firstly, thanks to The Hindu for finally publishing an article on 1984, although predictably "diluting" and "trivialising" it, as one reader has mentioned above, by referencing it to Godhra. Secondly, it is high time that these issues are placed in proper perspective without bias and that the media play its role as much in ensuring that such horrific incidents never ever occur again in India as in ensuring justice to the victims regardless of their faith. The media would also be acknowledged well if it works towards ensuring that the perpetrators of violence against Kashmiri Pandits and scores of people in terror attacks do not get away either.
I like the term "original sin" for it truly captures the origin of politically sponsored
communal violence in our country. As long as the Congress leadership of that time
is not brought to the book by a special tribunal, including Rajiv Gandhi who ought
to be tried posthumously, we cannot close this chapter.
The job of the government and the police is to maintain law and order at all costs. Throwing about flippant arguments like "there's a reaction to every action" and such blather is not their task, and anyone thinking otherwise ought simply not to be in the government.
The Modi riots will still be handled, thanks to the Supreme Court, and he too will hopefully be brought to the book. That leaves us with the Shiv Sena, RSS, VHP and BJP-cadres that were responsible for the Bombay riots in '92.
You have rightly pointed out that the mass killing of Sikhs who
contributed in a major way to the green revolution and who constitute
a major chunk of Indian security forces is a permanent blot on our
record as a secular country. More shameful is the insensitive
statement of Rajiv Gandhi and involvement of politicians belonging to
the Congress party of which paragons of secularism like Gandhi, Nehru
and Patel among others were leaders once. Not taking action against
the perpetrators is adding salt to the pestering wound of the riot
effected families.
Having said these following facts should not be lost sight of. The
anti sikh riots were a sequel to the murder of Indira Gandhi by her
security guards who held her responsible for the storming their
holiest of shrines. Indira Gandi’s choices were also limited at that
point of time as Bhindranwale had converted the Golden Temple into an
armed fortress. Also during the days when there was an insurgency in
Punjab the BJP which is now a coalition partner of the Akalis
bracketed Sikhs with the Muslims as conspiring against what they
called as India of Hindus. Many supporters of the saffron party
participated in the anti-Sikh riots. Indira Gandhi could have saved
herself by excluding Sikhs from her security. In fact her advisers
wanted to do that but Mrs. Gandhi brushed aside the suggestion by
asking “Are all of us not secular?”. Also there is a major difference between Godhra and 1984.Leaders of Congress party at least pay lip
sympathy to the riot victims whereas BJP leaders are unrepentant and
privately gloat over the riots. Personally I don’t think a monument
will help heal the wounds of the riot affected.
Kudos to the Hindu for bringing out the memories of the massacre
committed 28 years ago.
I agree that whatever happened was totally against humanity and favored
hatred and profanity among the people, but still would it be right if we
will completely ignore the reason behind this. The assassination of the
strongest administrator of our country was a shock difficult to bear and
that too happened because of the religious disparities that arose in the
state during the operation Blue star. So, I feel concluding anything
won't be suitable in this crucial case. But to the contrary, probe must
be held and the guilty must be punished.
1984 riots isno less heinous than of 2002.The gravity of the offence patronised by the ruling establishment then was not understood for its severity as the tlevision reach was not there to many as in 2002.What is hypochratical is the constant brandishing of 2002 by the congress keeping a stony silence onits role in 1984
Finally! It's really refreshing that a mainline newspaper has, in the most unambiguous terms, said what needed to be said. While Gujarat 2002 left an indelible blot not just on Modi, but the entire nation, it has suited the Congress, much of the electronic and print media and 'intellectuals' of various persuasions, to condemn the Horrors of 1984 to the dustbin of history. That a modern day Jallianwala Bagh, perpetrated by those who were tasked to protect the country's citizens, could happen on the streets of the National Capital, is a national shame that we can never live down. ".....A fitting monument in Delhi to honour the memory of the victims", is the very least that the country can do, to atone for the heinous crime against its own people - a valiant and patriotic minority, at that.
Murderous attack on Shikhs during Indira Gandhi assassination was not
only killing the innocent people but also it also reflects the sick
mentality of those culprits towards a particular religious faith.
Those people are deeply infected by fanaticism of a sect or religion.
How can these senseless and heinous criminal act can justified that
when a criminal commits crime and the all the people face brutal crime
just because of a criminal belongs to their sect or religion. If it is
justified then the whole humanity would be destroyed with few days
because it produce chain of brutal and heinous crime because many
criminal and anti-social element exist in every religion. In fact,
there is no religion or sect of these people, criminal are only
criminal, does have any religion or sect.
Its saddening to come across such inaction and injustice in a republic and democratic and secular country. The author have made some valid points which should be taken care of.
One more difference is that some guilty of Gujrat are punished by the Law but none is punished for 1984
Excellent Editorial to remember the 1984 pogrom against our Sikh
friends in India. You are right, 1984 and 2002 must be compared even
when the parties involved might be different. What is important is the official patronage these parties extended to the killers, their seeing
that police and other concerned government machineries were silent
during and after the crimes, and - most importantly - the
justification the party leaders offered and continue to make regarding
the killings, as well as the continuing denial of justice to the
victims and their families - even after 10 years or 28 years.
People with even an iota of nationalism would also not forget that some misguided memebers of minority communities encouraged by the hypocritical practioners of pseudo-secularism murdered the PM of the country in broad day light and selectively burnt alive the Hindu passengers in a train. The media must be sensible to avoid picking the sensitive historical incidents in the name of seeking justice to the minority communities. Do Hindus not deserve justice in this country?
The 1984 riots are one of the worst chapters in India's history, next probably only to the riots against Brahmins after Gandhi's assassination. The Hindu editorial has however fallen into the same "secular" trap of establishing "equivalence" by blaming BJP/ RSS for the 2002 riots. The 2002 riots were indeed "spontaneous"- a result of 59 innocent women, children and men burnt to death in a railway arson. The army was called by BJP govt within 24 hrs (1 day), whereas Congress govt did not call the army for more than 80 hrs (3 days) in 1984. Same Congress govt did not call the army to Assam in 2012 for more than one week so that the Muslims can have their revenge against the Hindus. More than 1/3rd of the people killed in Gujarat 2002 were Hindus, whereas not even a single Hindu was killed in Delhi 1984 was a non- Sikh. Not a single person has been punished for 1984 whereas a number punishments have been handed out fr 2002. I hope Indian English media gets rid of this communal bias soon.
A process similar to Nuremberg trials is needed to prosecute the guilty in the cases of organized mass killings in this country. The immunity enjoyed by known organizers of violence in India - both the mini genocide levels of Delhi in 1984 and Gujarat in 2002 as well as the frequent smaller scale events throughout the country - is appalling and takes away one's faith in the institutions of this so-called democracy. Even worse, the subsequent rewarding of the perpetrators shows the true principles under which this country is run - lawlessness, muscle power, and mob rule. The Police have become the designated helpers of the ruling mob rather than protectors of the public. No wonder the citizen has only fear and loathing of the Police forces across the country. The Hindu must be congratulated for speaking out on behalf of the silent majority.
Atleast you have remembered the gruesome acts. A crime committed by
an individual, the whole community was tortured. Guardians of law and
elected representatives added fuel to the fire only. People involved
were rewarded. Leave democracy, the barbaric nature in human minds
were rewarded. When the great Indian party do this only feeble,
namesake opposition, and it's holiness remain in tact.By nature we are
partial; in private life we show this to our near and dear .Neutrally
if you look at it, it is worse than Godhra ; in the later case none
has justified the crime.
While I fail to see reasos the timing of the editorial, I fully endorse the appeal in it for a proper memorial in New DElhi for the victims of the 1984 pogrom unleashed on helpless Sikh community by the congress party.
If anyone in the country with unbiased views is asked what he or she considered something to be a grave issue of national concern that has not received the due attention of the relevant authorities for a long time, the most probable one to be refererred to will be the merciless killing of hundreds of innocent Sikhs - induced by party leaders -in the aftermath of the killing of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by a Sikh guard on duty. Viewed in this context, the editorial "The original sin of 1984"-though some might think it is belated- assumes great significance. As rightly said, intervention by the apex court, seems to be justified in this case too, as it did in the 2002 Godhra massacre.
The Sikh killing of 1984 and the Godhra killings are the most heinous
crimes in India and we share your anger and sorrow. Having said that one
wonders at your incredulity -- whenever you write about Godhra, you
focus on that alone. Now when you are referring to 1984, you dilute and
trivialize it by dragging in Godhra -- half your article is about it.
Just a gentle reminder -- many of the 1984 murderers are still free and
enjoying life.A valiant community has been permanently wronged by the
Nehru family.
A perfect tribute to the BIG TREE on her birthday!!!
Reading the editorial sends a chill down the spine as yet we have not resolved the greatest tragedies created by insensitive members of society.
These politicians can sell their souls for getting the Power. Its the common people who has
to decide whom to give vote and whom to not. People like Maun Mohan singh are a stain on
the history of the country's leadership. If some one is fighting against corruption, these
corrupt people harass them by all means. I urge all Indians to vote to Arvind kejriwal. We will
have to stand up against corruption otherwise our condition will never improve.
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