Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, 1 November 2026, launched a sharp attack on the Indian National Congress, alleging that the party's 'politics' had directly led to the 'brutal killing' of Sikhs in 1984, and that Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was now 'rubbing salt into the victims' wounds' by staging a major rally in Delhi on the very same date. Shah made the remarks while addressing a public gathering at Tiranga Park in Chandigarh, targeting the INDIA bloc's 'Dilli Chalo' rally at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital.

Shah's Allegations on 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots

Speaking at the Chandigarh event, Shah alleged that on 1 November 1984, thousands of Sikhs were burned alive, many were forcibly displaced, countless children were orphaned, and thousands of families were devastated in riots he described as 'instigated' by the Congress in Delhi. He invoked then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's controversial remark — 'when a big tree falls, the earth shakes' — and said: 'People still remember his statement, only Congress leaders could have the audacity to describe the massacre of thousands of Sikhs in such a manner.'

Shah further alleged that 'the country had never before witnessed riots sponsored by a political party on such a scale.' He added that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government came to power, riot-related cases were reopened, victims were provided financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each, and 'prominent Congress leaders implicated in the riots were sent to jail.'

BJP's Appeal and Congress's Decision to Proceed

Shah stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had publicly appealed through a press conference urging Congress to avoid scheduling the rally on 1, 2, or 3 November — the dates when the 1984 anti-Sikh riots took place — arguing that holding such an event on those days would hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community, 'including mothers, sisters, and children.' Despite this appeal, he said, Congress did not alter its plans.

'I had initially believed Rahul Gandhi was too young at the time of the riots and perhaps had not studied history, and therefore might not know the significance of the dates,' Shah said. He additionally alleged, without providing supporting evidence, that the decision to hold the rally on that date 'was taken following instructions from abroad,' asserting that India and Punjab would 'never forget the tragedy.'

Impact on Delhi's Diwali Trade, Traders' Appeal Cited

Shah also raised the concerns of Delhi's trading community, noting that the rally coincided with the peak Diwali festive season. Citing traders' repeated appeals to Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders, he said: 'According to the traders, business peaks during the Diwali season. They stock sweets, firecrackers, and new clothes for children, and unsold inventory can result in significant losses.'

He claimed that business worth approximately ₹25,000 crore takes place across these three to four days in Delhi's wholesale markets, drawing buyers from across North India, and that traders had written letters and held press conferences requesting a postponement until after Diwali — all of which, he alleged, were ignored by Congress.

Development Projects and Broader Governance Record

Earlier in the day, Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development and infrastructure projects worth ₹258 crore in Chandigarh, before addressing the public meeting. He also cited the abrogation of Article 370, efforts to eliminate Naxalism, and the abolition of triple talaq as key achievements of the Modi government. He reiterated a commitment to make the country, including Punjab, drug-free by 31 December 2029, calling the nation's overall progress 'unprecedented.'