In a landmark ruling on February 12, 2025, a Delhi court convicted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, marking a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards rectifying one of its most heinous historical injustices. This conviction not only brings a semblance of closure to the victims and their families but also underscores the Modi government’s commitment to justice, contrasting sharply with the Congress party’s legacy of shielding the perpetrators of this dark chapter.
The riots, which erupted following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, led to the brutal killing of thousands of Sikhs across the country, with Delhi being the epicenter. This event, now recognized by many as a genocide, saw Congress worker’s mobs, reportedly instigated by Congress leaders, targeting Sikhs in a wave of violence that left an indelible mark on India’s collective conscience.
Sajjan Kumar, a prominent figure within the Congress party and a close associate of the Gandhi family, was accused of leading these mobs in the Saraswati Vihar area of Delhi, where he is said to have incited and directed the killing of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh on November 1, 1984. His conviction in this case adds to his previous life sentence handed down by the Delhi High Court in another anti-Sikh riots case, highlighting the extent of his involvement.
The Modi government, since coming to power in 2014, has been vocal about its resolve to reopen and investigate the cases from 1984. The establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in 2016 to probe these long-dormant cases has been a cornerstone of this commitment. This move by the BJP-led administration starkly contrasts with the previous Congress governments’ approach, which was more about protecting their own than serving justice.
For decades, the pursuit of justice for the 1984 riots was marred by political interference, with numerous cases either not pursued or inadequately investigated. The Congress party, during its long stints in power, is accused of having used its influence to protect leaders like Sajjan Kumar, ensuring they faced minimal accountability. This narrative has been particularly emphasized in posts on social media platforms like X, where public sentiment has often highlighted the BJP’s role in finally pushing for justice, while lambasting the Congress for allegedly orchestrating and then covering up these massacres.
The conviction of Sajjan Kumar is not just a legal victory but a moral one, offering a beacon of hope for other victims of political violence across India. It sends a clear message that no one, regardless of political stature, is above the law. The Modi government’s proactive approach in this matter has been seen as an attempt to cleanse the stains of the past, to heal wounds that have festered for over four decades.
However, the journey to this point has been fraught with challenges. The delays, the acquittals, and the sheer number of lives lost without justice have painted a grim picture of India’s legal and political system. The riots were not just a failure of then Congress Govt under Rajiv Gandhi’s governance but a deliberate, state-sponsored act of genocide against the Sikh community, which Congress party tried to pass off as communal riots between Hindus and Sikhs. The public discourse on Social Media platforms like X has often reflected this sentiment, with many users expressing relief and gratitude towards PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their role in revisiting these cases.
Some of the major news outlets have detailed the legal proceedings, emphasizing how the evidence presented by the SIT led to Sajjan Kumar’s conviction. These reports also point out that the conviction comes after years of legal battles, with Kumar’s defense arguing the unreliability of witness testimonies due to the passage of time. Yet, the judiciary, in this instance, has acted decisively, affirming that truth and justice can prevail despite political machinations.
While this conviction is a victory for justice, it also opens up broader discussions about political accountability, the role of state machinery in such atrocities, and the need for systemic changes to prevent recurrence. The Modi government’s actions have not only brought a perpetrator to justice but have also sparked a national conversation about how political parties should treat communal violence, setting perhaps a precedent for future actions.
In conclusion, the conviction of Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case is a testament to the Modi government’s dedication to rectifying historical wrongs. It criticizes the Congress for its alleged role in not only the execution of the genocide but also in the subsequent decades of shielding the accused from justice. As the case moves towards sentencing, it stands as a reminder that the wheels of justice, though slow, can still deliver what is due, even after 40 years.
