On Saturday afternoon, Sikh leaders and families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots protested outside Rahul Gandhi’s residence in New Delhi.
They demanded an apology over alleged remarks by some Congress leaders, who reportedly described former party leader Sajjan Kumar as a hero and an ideal.
The protest took place after Sajjan Kumar’s death on Thursday. Kumar was a former Congress leader who had been convicted in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The protesters gathered outside Rahul Gandhi’s residence at 5, Sunheri Bagh Road. Police had put up heavy barricades around the area.
Demand for clarification and apology from Congress
The protest was led by Harmeet Singh Kalka, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), and its general secretary Jagdeep Singh Kahlon.
A DSGMC leader asked the Congress to clarify whether Sajjan Kumar, who was convicted in cases linked to the riots, is considered a hero by the party.
The leader said the remarks made by Congress leaders after Kumar’s death, allegedly calling him a hero, were objectionable.
He asked Rahul Gandhi to clarify whether Sajjan Kumar was his hero.
Referring to a statement by Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda, the DSGMC leader also demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi to the Sikh community.
He said the alleged remarks had reopened the wounds of families affected by the violence after 42 years and hurt their sentiments.
He added that Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders should acknowledge this and apologise.
Objection to calling Sajjan Kumar an ideal
The protesters said they had gathered to demand an apology from Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders over the alleged remarks.
The DSGMC had earlier said the protest was being held after Congress allegedly once again described Sajjan Kumar as an ideal.
The committee said Kumar had been accused in cases involving the killing of thousands of Sikhs and that such remarks had reopened the wounds of the Sikh community and families affected by the 1984 violence.
As the protesters reached Rahul Gandhi’s residence on Saturday afternoon, police had heavily barricaded the area around the house.
