1984 survivors, Sikh groups question timing of INDIA bloc rally on Nov 1, seek apology

Survivors of the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre and Sikh organizations have expressed concerns over the timing of the INDIA bloc rally scheduled for November 1, marking the 42nd anniversary of the killings. The rally, organized by the Congress party, coincides with the upcoming Punjab assembly elections in 2027, potentially providing BJP with political leverage against the opposition.

On Sunday, a BJP-organized protest march took place in West Delhi, while victims' groups raised objections to the rally's timing. Survivors and Sikh community members joined the march, demanding an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and other prominent figures participated in the event.

Rajinder Singh Sahney, a Rajya Sabha MP who met survivors in Delhi, alleged that the killings were systematically planned. He recalled losing four family members in the violence.

The 1984 Riot Victims Welfare Society also objected to the rally's timing, emphasizing that November 1 is a day of mourning, not political mobilization. Their president, Surjit Singh, called for dignified rehabilitation, while women's wing president Bibi Gurdeep Kaur recounted losing eight family members in the massacre.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami described the 1984 massacre as "a stain on the forehead of the world's largest democracy." He urged for justice, stating that until the responsible individuals are punished, the families of the victims will not find peace.