Sikh leaders protest outside Rahul Gandhi's residence over Sajjan Kumar 'role model' post, seek apology
Members of the Sikh community, led by various Sikh organisations, held a protest outside the Delhi residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, demanding an apology from the party for a social media post that referred to Sajjan Kumar, a convict in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, as a "role model".
The protest comes a day after a post on a social media account associated with the Congress party sparked outrage, with critics accusing the party of insulting the victims of the 1984 riots. The post, which has since been deleted, reportedly praised Kumar while speaking about his political career.
Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress MP, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the riots that followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. The riots claimed the lives of thousands of Sikhs across the country.
During the protest, demonstrators raised slogans against the Congress leadership and demanded that the party issue an unequivocal apology. "This is an insult to the memory of all those who lost their lives in 1984. Calling a convicted criminal a role model is shameful," said one protester.
Leaders from various Sikh bodies also submitted a memorandum addressed to Rahul Gandhi, urging him to take immediate action against those responsible for the post. They also sought a clarification on whether the post reflected the party's official stand.
The controversy began when the post was shared on a handle that often speaks for the Congress party. It described Kumar as a "role model" for the youth, without reference to his conviction. The post was taken down after a massive backlash, but not before screenshots went viral.
As of now, neither Rahul Gandhi nor the Congress party has issued an official response to the protest. The Delhi Police remained deployed at the spot to maintain order, with the protest remaining peaceful.
The incident has reignited debates about the Congress party's stance on the 1984 riots and its relationship with the Sikh community. In the past, the party has repeatedly apologised for the riots, with Rahul Gandhi himself having apologised in 2014. However, critics say that the recent post undoes the party's efforts at reconciliation.
The Congress party has not yet commented on the controversy. Meanwhile, various political leaders have condemned the post, with the ruling party stepping up its attack on the Congress, accusing it of harbouring anti-minority sentiments.
The Sikh community has long demanded justice and accountability for the 1984 riots. The conviction of Sajjan Kumar in 2019 was seen as a significant step in that direction. The recent controversy, however, has left many within the community concerned about the state of justice and memorialisation.
The protest at Gandhi's residence is the latest in a series of actions by Sikh organisations to keep the memory of the riots alive. They have also demanded that the government ensure proper trials for all accused and that the community's grievances be addressed.
As the day progressed, more protesters gathered, and some groups called for a nationwide protest if the Congress failed to respond. The situation remained tense but peaceful, with no untoward incidents reported.
