Hardeep Singh Puri calls 1984 anti-Sikh violence a genocide
The Union Minister rejected the term riots and accused the Congress of hurting Sikh sentiments by holding a rally on the anniversary.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Sunday that the 1984 anti-Sikh violence was an organised genocide and a crime against humanity. Speaking in West Delhi during a memorial protest march, Puri rejected the term riots, stating that riots involve two groups fighting each other.
According to reports by ANI and Times of India, Puri said the collective punishment of the Sikh community could not be justified by the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He questioned the narrative that the violence was a spontaneous outbreak of public anger, alleging that mobs used specialised, pre-prepared hit lists rather than ordinary voter lists.
Puri cited official figures stating that 3,325 deaths were recorded across the country, with 2,733 deaths in Delhi alone. He described the events as 'narsanhar' and noted that the Delhi High Court had previously referred to the massacre as a crime against humanity.
The Minister also criticised the opposition INDIA Bloc for staging a 'Chalo Delhi' march on November 1, the anniversary of the violence. He questioned why the date was chosen, stating that the wounds of 1984 are yet to heal.
Puri credited senior advocate HS Phoolka for his decades-long commitment to helping victims secure justice despite threats and delays. The violence broke out in 1984 following the assassination of Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards on October 31.