Sikh protesters burn Rahul Gandhi effigy over alleged remark on 1984 riot convict
New Delhi, August 22: Over 200 Sikh community representatives, including families of 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims, gathered near Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's residence on Saturday afternoon to protest against remarks he allegedly made describing late former MP Sajjan Kumar as a "party role model". The protesters burnt an effigy of Mr. Gandhi and beat it with slippers, a traditional form of public protest in South Asia.
Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress MP, was convicted in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and died on August 20. His conviction and sentencing had been a long-standing demand of riot survivors and human rights groups. The riots, which followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, resulted in the deaths of thousands of Sikhs across India.
The alleged remark by Mr. Gandhi, reportedly made during a recent party event, has drawn sharp criticism from Sikh organisations. The protesters said that honouring a person convicted of crimes against the community was deeply hurtful and insensitive. They demanded an unconditional apology from Mr. Gandhi and the Congress party.
Several protestors carried placards and raised slogans against the Congress leader. Family members of riot victims were visibly emotional, stating that the remark reopened wounds that have not healed. They emphasised that Sajjan Kumar's role in the riots caused immense suffering and that describing him as a role model was an insult to the memories of those who lost their lives.
The Congress party has not yet issued an official statement regarding the alleged remark. Mr. Gandhi has also not directly responded to the protests. His office had earlier clarified that the comment was taken out of context, but no formal clarification has been released to the public.
The police had made arrangements to manage the crowd and prevent any untoward incident. The protest remained peaceful, and the crowd dispersed after about an hour. Similar protests are expected in other cities over the coming days.
This incident highlights the deep sensitivities that still surround the 1984 riots. For many in the Sikh community, the memory of the violence and the subsequent legal battles remain a painful chapter. Any perceived endorsement of individuals convicted in these cases is viewed with intense anger and concern.
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots have been the subject of multiple judicial inquiries and commissions. Several other cases related to the riots are still being heard in courts. Sajjan Kumar's conviction in 2018 was upheld by the Delhi High Court in 2023, a decision welcomed by survivors and activists.
Political reactions have been mixed, with opposition parties criticising the Congress over the alleged remark, while some Congress leaders defended Mr. Gandhi, saying his words were twisted. The issue is likely to feature in the ongoing political discourse, particularly in the run-up to state elections.
As the news spreads on social media, many are urging restraint and a focus on dialogue rather than confrontation. Community leaders have called for calm while insisting that the hurt caused must be acknowledged.
