Remembering the 1984 Anti-sikh riots

On the morning of October 31, 1984, two Sikh bodyguards shot down Indira Gandhi, prime minister at that time, at point blank range at her residence in New Delhi.

The assassination of Indira Gandhi 

News had spread quickly that the two bodyguards who shot her belonged to the Sikh community and in no time anger started to grow. Before she was officially pronounced dead around 5 pm,attacks had begun on the Sikh community in many parts of the country.

The love for their leader turns into hatred for one community

Rajiv Gandhi at the time was said to be too distraught to take any control of the law and order situation and Indira Gandhi’s close aide, R K Dhawan is said to have taken most of the decisions with the consent of many senior congress leaders. 

The Gandhi's loss fireballs into a strong anti-sikh sentiment

Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission was appointed on April 26, 1985 and submitted a report on August 22, 1986 which said that the police was indifferent and, in some cases, had connived with rioters. It also  blamed the police commissioner and Lt. Governor for the delay in calling the army when 5,000 men were available.

The army was called in too late to salvage anything 

Delhi was clearly the worst affected with an official figure of 2733 deaths, which many claim is grossly undervalued. Other parts in the country like Kanpur, Bokaro and some parts of Punjab saw as many as 586 officially recorded deaths. 

Delhi and it's Sikh community worst affected 

 Justice Thakkar Commission was the first of the many commissions appointed soon after the death of Gandhi to probe the security lapses. It submitted a report on Feb 27,1986. The report pointed to a “needle of suspicion” at Gandhi’s close aide, R K Dhawan.However, Rajiv Gandhi dismissed the charges,reinducting him in the government. Later, he was made member of the Rajya Sabha.

Vandalism at its peak

 Nanavati Commission's report submitted on Feb 2, 2005 concluded that after Gandhi’s assassination, systematic attacks were carried out against Sikhs, without fear of the police. Mobs came on DTC buses and were taken to particular locations. There was no evidence suggesting Rajiv Gandhi or other high-ranked Congress leaders had suggested organised attacks on Sikhs. But it did not rule out the role of influential and powerful people.

Planned attacks to target the Sikhs

Systematic attacks were launched and Delhi’s Trilokpuri, which has been the scene of communal violence in the past few days,
faced the brunt of it. At least 2,733 people died during the violence, which lasted for five days.

Rioters go berserk 

Over the years several commissions and investigations have been set up with Nanavati commission clearly stating that rioters were instigated and planned the attacks. However big names like Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar have walked away scott free due to lack of evidence. 