Thanks to PM Modi: 1984 riot victims grateful for Sajjan Kumar's life sentence
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Synopsis
Victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots express their gratitude towards PM Modi for the life sentence given to Sajjan Kumar. While some feel justice is still lacking, they acknowledge the government's role in their fight for accountability.
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi praised for ensuring justice.
- Victims call for harsher punishment for Sajjan Kumar.
- Emotional testimonies highlight ongoing pain.
- Congress party's role in riots remains a point of contention.
- Hope for justice renewed under current government.
New Delhi, Feb 26 (NationPress) In light of the recent life sentence delivered to former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, families of the victims continue to endure the anguish of a justice system they perceive as inadequate. Nonetheless, they have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating their pursuit of justice.
While the ruling by the Rouse Avenue Court provided a sense of closure for many, some victims believe it does not constitute true justice, arguing that Sajjan Kumar deserved a more severe sentence, potentially the death penalty.
In a poignant statement, various victims' families conveyed their appreciation to PM Modi, recognizing the government's intervention.
Speaking to IANS, Atar Kaur, a victim of the violence, stated, "The Congress party committed grave wrongs. The dignity of our daughters and daughters-in-law was violated. My relative, Gurdeep Kaur, was murdered right in front of us. The slaughter of Sikhs was intentional, not random. We have not received genuine justice for the atrocities inflicted upon us."
Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, she remarked, "He talks about his grandmother Indira Gandhi's assassination, yet fails to grasp the agony we have endured. The memories of the riots continue to torment us. Sajjan Kumar ought to have been sentenced to death."
Kuldeep Kaur also expressed her disappointment regarding the verdict: "This ruling does not benefit us. We had hoped for Sajjan Kumar’s execution. He was shielded by the Congress, but we are grateful to PM Modi for ensuring he faced punishment. It is due to Modi's administration that justice has been served. We will persist in our fight for a more severe punishment and will approach the courts until Sajjan Kumar is sentenced to death."
Lakshmi Kaur recounted the horrors she endured: "Two of my family members were burned alive. We can never forget the atrocities committed by the Congress government. Under PM Modi, we held hope for justice when previously no one would listen to our pleas. We were left without food and shelter for days. This stain on the Congress will never be washed away."
Atma Singh, representing the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, demanded further accountability, especially from Congress leader Kamal Nath, stating, "Those responsible must be held accountable. If PM Modi's government hadn’t come to power, Sajjan Kumar would have evaded conviction. We owe our survival to PM Modi's support. We were forced to beg for sustenance for a year and a half, all stemming from the actions of the Congress government. We did not kill Indira Gandhi, so why were our families slaughtered?"
