Sunday, June 2, 2013

'Anti-Sikh riots were worse than '02 violence'


AHMEDABAD: He had caught the attention of the nation when he hurled his shoe at the then Union home minister P Chidambaram in April 2009 and brought the 1984 anti-Sikh riots back to public attention. Jarnail Singh, a journalist-turned-activist, is now trying to get justice for the victims of the Delhi riots by creating public consensus on the 1984 violence. On Sunday, he will take out a token march on SG Road.

Comparing the Gujarat riots of 2002 with the 1984 riots, Singh told journalists on Saturday that the latter were more horrific not only in the execution but also in their aftermath. "In the case of the 2002 riots, the media raised questions and the judiciary took note and set up an SIT which summoned even the state chief minister. But nothing has happened for the victims of 1984 riots as the government has always tried to belittle the issue. In Gujarat, a former minster is behind bars but, in Delhi, the accused have become ministers and held important positions again and again," he said. Singh has also penned a book on aftermath of the anti-Sikh riots.

He said that several commissions were appointed to probe the riots that killed over 3,000 Sikhs in a matter of three days but nothing has come out of them. No action has been taken against the political heavyweights or the 72 policemen named in various cases.


with thanks : Times of India : LINK

No comments: