The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will organise a conclave titled 'Zakhm 84 De' in Chandigarh on 4 November 2026 to mark over four decades since the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre, bringing together survivors, legal advocates, and political leaders to examine the tragedy's legacy and the continuing pursuit of justice. The event, announced on the massacre's anniversary, aims to educate younger generations about the suffering of victims and the accountability gaps that followed.

What the Conclave Will Cover

Chandigarh BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon said the conclave was designed not merely to revisit a painful historical chapter but to place on record the victims' struggles, their decades-long fight for justice, and efforts towards their rehabilitation. He said such platforms allow society to understand the importance of accountability within a democratic system and the justice delivery process.

The event will open with a special exhibition featuring photographs and documented incidents from the 1984 massacre, intended to give younger attendees a deeper understanding of what unfolded. The inaugural session will be followed by four thematic sessions.

Keynote and Session Highlights

Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who reportedly represented victims of the 1984 massacre in proceedings related to the Sajjan Kumar case before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session.

The first session, titled 'When and How Did the Genocide Take Place?', will feature firsthand accounts from survivors. The second session, 'Was the Genocide a Conspiracy?', will include senior Supreme Court advocate H.S. Phoolka — who fought a decades-long legal battle for victims — former National Commission for Minorities chairman Tarlochan Singh, and BJP national spokesperson R.P. Singh.

The third session, 'Murder of Justice', will examine the alleged denial of justice to victims, the destruction of evidence, and what organisers describe as political patronage extended to the accused. The fourth session, 'Punishing the Guilty: BJP's Efforts', will spotlight steps taken to bring perpetrators to account.

Rehabilitation Focus and Government Participation

The concluding session will centre on the rehabilitation of families affected by the massacre. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is scheduled to attend and detail the initiatives undertaken by BJP-led governments to support victims and their families in rebuilding their lives.

Why This Matters Now

The conclave comes as the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre — in which thousands of Sikhs were killed across India in the days following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi — continues to be a politically charged and legally contested chapter in Indian history. Courts have, over the years, convicted some accused including Sajjan Kumar, but survivors and rights groups argue that accountability has remained incomplete. Notably, the BJP has consistently sought to highlight the Congress's alleged role in the violence, making events like 'Zakhm 84 De' part of a broader political and historical narrative the party has pursued for years.

With younger voters having no direct memory of 1984, events of this nature serve both a commemorative and a political framing function — a dynamic that critics and supporters alike are likely to scrutinise.