In a significant empathetic move that will ensure justice after 40 years of anti-Sikh riots, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved relaxation in qualifications for recruitment of victims of the 1984 riots. This decision, pending for decades due to procedural delays and insensitive red tape, will enable a larger pool of candidates to secure employment by becoming eligible for the same.
Recognising the immense suffering and prolonged struggle faced by the 1984 riot victims, Saxena has also directed the concerned departments to explore the possibility of providing employment to the children of deceased or aged applicants on humanitarian grounds. This initiative is intended to alleviate the financial hardships faced by the affected families. According to political experts, this may help the BJP to woo Sikh voters ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in Delhi.
“The 1984 Sikh Riots were a blot on Indian democratic traditions. Terrible atrocities were committed upon a particular minority community, violating all standards of human rights. The riots had affected many families, taking lives of their single bread winners. I understand the historical context of this issue and the Government commitment to provide relief and rehabilitation to those affected. Given the significant trauma and hardship endured by the victims of the 1984 riots and the absence of relief for a few families for over the last four decades, a humanitarian view is needed. Though no relief can compensate for the loss of loved ones and mitigate the trauma faced by the families of the victims, I believe it is imperative to take a compassionate view for well-being of these families and their economic stability”.
“Therefore, taking an empathetic view and considering the plight of the victims; and facts of the case as above, I hereby direct as under towards relief to the families of the victims of anti Sikh Riots, 1984, being a special category of persons which include full relaxation in required education qualification to the post of MTS to remaining applicants who were identified by the Revenue Department and Department to process the cases for granting employment to one of the children of the applicants wherein applicants have surpassed the age for employment, despite the age relaxations already granted, or passed away,” the LG noted on the file.
The decision comes after a comprehensive review of the cases, which revealed that several applicants had been denied employment despite meeting eligibility criteria. The government had previously nominated 564 individuals for compassionate appointments, with 133 securing positions in the 1990s.
While age relaxation was granted in subsequent years, qualification relaxation remained a hurdle for many.
According to Raj Niwas, various groups, public representatives, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and a delegation of the victims themselves had met the LG and appealed to consider all eligible applicants, including those who may have aged out or passed away.
Following this, Saxena had directed the departments concerned to look into the issue with empathy and suggest a way forward.
The Revenue Department, in its proposal, had suggested relaxing educational qualifications and allowing family members of original applicants to apply for the MTS posts.
However, the Chief Secretary of Delhi recommended focusing solely on the qualification relaxation. However, the LG sent back the proposal for review by the Services Department.
The Services Department on LG’s directions, after a thorough examination of the matter, put up the file proposing that a one-time relaxation in educational qualifications could be granted as a special case to provide relief to the victims of the 1984 riots.
With the LG’s approval, the minimum educational qualification for the MTS post has been relaxed from 10th grade to 8th grade, making larger number of candidates eligible.
