When will you apologise for Sikh riots? Punjab BJP targets Rahul

Chandigarh: Head of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Insaaf Rally’ (justice rally) in Sangrur, the Punjab BJP on Wednesday demanded an apology from the Gandhi family for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, as it launched its ‘Zakhm 84 De’ (wounds of 1984) conclave, aimed at bringing people face-to-face with what the organisers described as the “horrifying truth” of the massacre.

The BJP said it is holding the conclave to bring together survivors, eyewitnesses, legal experts and political leaders to discuss the circumstances surrounding the massacre, alleged conspiracy, legal battles and rehabilitation of victims.

The conclave began with the inauguration of an exhibition on the 1984 Sikh massacre by Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon and the party’s national general secretary and Punjab in-charge Satish Poonia.

Former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was also present. Speaking to reporters, Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon slammed the Congress for holding its rally in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1, saying that the date reopened the wounds of the violence. “Now, Rahul Gandhi is coming to Sangrur. Today, the wounds of victims will reopen again,” said Dhillon.

“I want to ask Rahul Gandhi why the Gandhi family has not apologised (for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots)? 42 years have passed. When will you repent?” he asked. “What enmity do you have with Sikhs?... The Gandhi family has, till date, not apologised to the Sikh community,” he asked.

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The Hans India