Hardeep Singh Puri criticises Congress for rally on 1984 anniversary
The Union Minister accused the Congress of hurting Sikh sentiments by holding a political demonstration on the anniversary of the 1984 violence.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri criticised the Congress party on Sunday for holding a political demonstration on the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, according to ANI. The protest occurred as the opposition INDIA Bloc held a ‘Chalo Delhi’ march to Ramlila Maidan, while the BJP conducted a ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’ counter-campaign.
Puri led a memorial march from Hari Nagar Bus Depot to Tilak Nagar Metro Station in West Delhi. He questioned the decision to choose November 1 for the rally, stating that the wounds of 1984 are yet to heal.
Rejecting the term riots, Puri described the 1984 tragedy as a genocide and a crime against humanity. He cited official figures of 2,733 deaths in Delhi and 3,325 deaths nationwide.
Puri alleged that the violence was not a spontaneous outbreak of anger following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He claimed that mobs used specialised, pre-prepared hit lists rather than ordinary electoral rolls to target Sikh families.
The INDIA Bloc march was led by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and coalition leaders to protest against Election Commission of India revisions and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Meanwhile, BJP National President Nitin Nabin led a parallel rally in Rohtak, Haryana.