Families of victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots on Sunday, 1 November sharply criticised Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, saying they had not expected the Indian National Congress leader to hold a political rally on the day the Sikh community marks 42 years since the massacre that followed the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in New Delhi.

Grief at Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj

Survivors and kin gathered at Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj, Tilak Nagar, where a museum houses photographs and records of those killed. A victim's family member said the community had organised an 'Akhand Paath' on behalf of affected families of Tilak Vihar to honour the martyrs. 'Here there is an entire museum, where the photographs of all those Sikhs who were massacred under the Congress government and Rajiv Gandhi are displayed,' he said. 'Even though no photos or proofs of many others could be found, we have made every effort to preserve whatever we could and built this museum.'

Sharp Criticism of the Congress Rally

The gathering coincided with the INDIA bloc's 'Dilli Chalo' rally at Ramlila Maidan, called against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities. Victims' kin expressed anger that the Congress chose this specific date for the mobilisation. 'We strongly oppose the rally that is being organised by the Congress today. We had not expected Rahul Gandhi to do this, but his mindset, along with that of his mother and sister, is against the Sikhs,' a family member said. He added that the community would carry out protest marches for three consecutive days against the Congress.

Widows Recall the Violence

A widow who lost five to six family members in Mandawali described 1 November as a 'painful day', calling for strict punishment for those responsible. Another widow alleged that the riots were systematically orchestrated: 'The government had petrol, white powder, and tyres ready. They burnt people alive and dragged Sardars out of their homes.' She also noted that gurudwaras and copies of the Guru Granth Sahib were burned during the violence.

Historical Context

A victim's family member recalled that the widespread destruction in New Delhi in 1984 was reportedly triggered after then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi made the remark, 'when a big tree falls, the earth shakes.' According to official estimates and multiple judicial commissions, over 3,000 Sikhs were killed across India in the days following Indira Gandhi's assassination on 31 October 1984. Successive courts and commissions have noted inadequate state response to the violence. The Congress has faced sustained political and legal pressure over the riots for four decades, with convictions secured against some individuals but broader accountability remaining a contested issue.

What Comes Next

The families indicated that memorial observances and protest demonstrations would continue over the next three days. The political timing of the INDIA bloc rally is likely to intensify scrutiny on the Congress's record on 1984 accountability, especially as the party seeks to rebuild its standing among Sikh voters ahead of future state elections.