BJP holds protest march in Delhi against Congress rally on 1984 carnage anniversary
To protest against a rally held by the Congress on the anniversary of the November 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the BJP carried out a protest march in Hari Nagar, Delhi. BJP leaders accused the Congress of hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community.
Demanding justice for the victim families of the 1984 anti-Sikh carnage, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Sikh organizations took out a protest march in Hari Nagar, Delhi on Sunday. The march saw the participation of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra, along with a large number of people from the Sikh community.
BJP leaders raised strong objections to the date of the rally held by the Congress and opposition alliance at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. They stated that November 1 is a day of deep mourning for the Sikh community and holding a political demonstration on this day is akin to reopening the wounds of the victim families.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the violence in 1984 was not a riot but a planned genocide. He stated that at least 2,733 people were killed in Delhi and the figure across the country was around 3,325. He claimed that the attackers already had lists of Sikh families.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that thousands of families are still living with the pain of losing their loved ones. Targeting the Congress leadership, she said that those who talk about protecting democracy should also look at their own background regarding the 1975 Emergency and the 1984 events.
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra alleged that Congress leaders had orchestrated the targeting of Sikhs at that time. He accused Rahul Gandhi of hurting the sentiments of victim families and demanded an apology from the Congress. Malhotra announced that another march would be taken out on Monday near Gurdwara Bangla Sahib to pay tributes at the victims' memorial.
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, BJP leader Arvinder Singh Lovely, senior lawyer H.S. Phoolka, and Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahni also took part in this march. Bathinda BJP District President Sarup Chand Singla also issued a statement reiterating the demand for strict legal action against the culprits of the 1984 carnage.
Key developments
- Protest march in Hari Nagar, Delhi demanding justice for victims of 1984 Sikh carnage.
- BJP leaders objected to the Congress holding a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
- Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri termed the 1984 incident as genocide, not riots.
- Announcement made to hold another march near Gurdwara Bangla Sahib on Monday.
