The 1984 Sikh massacre is a dark stain on the country, one that was inflicted by Congress leaders after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, leading to the massacre of thousands of innocent Sikhs across the country. Not only that, while their government remained in power, the killers were promoted and provided government protection, preventing many witnesses, who were willing to testify, from coming forward due to fear. Those who did testify were pressured to change their statements. However, after the BJP came into power, charges began to be pressed against the killers, and one by one, they are being sent behind bars.
In the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has found former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar guilty. This case is related to the murder of a father and son in the Saraswati Vihar area on November 1, 1984. The court has set February 18 for sentencing arguments. Sajjan Kumar is currently serving a life sentence in another anti-Sikh riot case in Delhi Cantt. The Sikh community expressed gratitude towards the court, as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who, upon assuming power, activated the SIT, leading to a re-investigation of closed cases. On December 16, 2021, the court found a prima facie case against Sajjan Kumar and framed charges against him.
According to the prosecution, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, a mob became violent, and Sajjan Kumar incited the mob, urging them to loot and burn Sikh homes, shops, and properties. According to the complainant, on November 1, 1984, the mob attacked their house, killed her husband, Jaswant Singh, and son, Tarundeep Singh, and set the house on fire. The court found that Sajjan Kumar not only participated in the riots but also led the violent mob.
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee welcomed the court’s decision to convict Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 Sikh massacre case and appealed for the death penalty, considering the severity of the crime. Committee President Harmeet Singh Kalka and General Secretary Jagdeep Singh Kahlon stated that while the court’s decision came 41 years after the massacre, it provided significant relief to the Sikh community. They welcomed the verdict and appealed for the death penalty for the guilty party. The court will announce the sentence after hearing arguments on February 18, 2025.
