Did Delhi CM Deliver Justice to 1984 Riot Victims?

Synopsis
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta's distribution of job letters to the families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots brings a mix of emotions. While some recipients feel grateful, others express that it's too late for true joy. This initiative aims to provide justice and closure to those impacted by a dark chapter in history.
Key Takeaways
- Job letters were distributed to families of 1984 riot victims.
- Mixed reactions from recipients highlight the complexity of justice.
- Government aims to provide closure and support.
- Initiative follows previous efforts to acknowledge historical wrongs.
- Broader support for victims of injustice is being considered.
New Delhi, May 27 (NationPress) In a pivotal effort towards addressing long-standing grievances, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, accompanied by Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, distributed government job letters to the families of victims from the 1984 anti-Sikh riots on Tuesday. The ceremony took place in the capital where 19 individuals received their appointment letters. An overall 125 riot-affected individuals are anticipated to be granted government jobs as part of this initiative.
“Following the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Delhi government has issued appointment letters to 125 individuals from families impacted by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Our commitment to providing justice to these families remains strong,” stated CM Rekha Gupta at the event.
Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, a longstanding advocate for the rights of the riot victims, reiterated the government’s dedication to achieving justice.
“Today, our government has provided jobs to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, marking a historic moment. The Congress failed to deliver justice in their time. Prime Minister Modi pledged support to these families, and we are now making good on that promise. There are still over 600 jobs pending, and we have initiated the process to distribute them,” he affirmed.
In discussions with IANS, several recipients shared their feelings regarding the long-awaited appointments.
Jaswinder Singh, one of the recipients, conveyed mixed emotions: “While I appreciate the government's support, receiving this job letter at the age of 46 feels too late to celebrate.”
Another recipient, Manjeet Singh, expressed his gratitude: “I am very happy. This government is considering our plight, and it means a lot.”
However, some felt the gesture fell short. One recipient remarked, “Honestly, I don’t feel happy. It’s too late for joy.”
Atma Singh, chairman of the 1984 Genocide Victims Committee, voiced concerns about the age of the recipients. “Previous administrations overlooked us. I successfully filed a petition. Earlier, 22 people received jobs, and now 19 more have been appointed. Yet, many of them are in their 60s. We have requested that jobs be allocated to their sons or grandsons, but the government has not agreed. We urge the Delhi CM to reconsider this,” he stated.
This initiative follows a similar action by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who distributed appointment letters to 47 survivors in November 2024.
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which erupted after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and left many families devastated. The latest actions by the Delhi government seek to provide both employment opportunities and a sense of closure to the affected families.
In a related announcement, CM Gupta also stated that the Delhi government would start offering pensions to those who resisted the Emergency, further extending support to individuals who have faced historical injustices.