The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a protest march in West Delhi on Sunday, November 1, targeting the Congress over the 1984 anti-Sikh violence. The party demanded an apology from Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing the opposition party of disrespecting the victims by holding its INDIA bloc rally on the anniversary of the violence.
The protest march took place in Hari Nagar, running parallel to the INDIA bloc's 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan. The opposition gathering was organised to raise concerns over alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
Led by Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the BJP march began at Hari Nagar bus depot and continued for approximately one kilometre towards Tilak Nagar Metro station. Thousands of BJP workers and members of the Sikh community participated, carrying national flags, party flags and placards demanding justice for the victims.
Addressing the gathering, Puri described the 1984 violence as a "well-planned massacre" rather than a spontaneous outbreak of public anger. He argued that the violence continued for four days following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.
Puri cited official figures indicating that 2,733 people were killed in Delhi during the anti-Sikh violence. He also questioned why the Congress had chosen November 1 to organise its political rally, calling the date particularly sensitive for the Sikh community.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also participated in the protest, alongside Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra, ministers Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Ashish Sood, and senior advocate HS Phoolka, who has represented victims of the 1984 violence.
Gupta recalled how a Sikh neighbour had taken shelter at her parents' home during the violence. She criticised Congress for organising a political event on a date associated with the suffering of thousands of Sikh families.
Delhi BJP chief Harsh Malhotra accused Congress leaders, including Sajjan Kumar, of involvement in the violence and demanded accountability for the killings and destruction of Sikh homes and businesses.
The 1984 anti-Sikh violence erupted after Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. The killings, attacks and arson continued across several parts of the country, with Delhi among the worst-affected areas.
The BJP's protest has brought renewed attention to the 1984 violence and the long-standing demand for justice among survivors and victims' families. The Congress had not issued a response to the BJP's latest allegations at the time of the reports.
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