Describing the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as “genocide”, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said several people who had a “role” in the carnage are yet to be punished.
“In these incidents (anti-Sikh riots), there are several people who are yet to be punished. I have faith in our judicial system and these people will definitely be punishment,” Singh said, after distributing cheques of enhanced compensation to the riot victims in Tilak Vihar area of West Delhi. The Union Minister distributed cheques of Rs5 lakh to 17 kin of the riot victims at a function at Tilak Vihar in Tilak Nagar area. The Centre had recently announced to provide additional Rs5 lakh compensation to the kin of Sikhs killed in 1984 riots.
According to a senior Government official, enhanced compensation to 2,459 people will soon be given after verification. Singh also said that he has constituted a committee under a retired judge to look into the grievances of victims of 1984 riots. “I want to assure you that after getting complaints through this committee, the Government will solve them,” he said. “Until these people are punished, victims will not get relief. I want to assure you that the Government is with you and will continue to be with you in bad times,” Singh added.
A hike in compensation to Rs5 lakh was announced by Rajnath Singh in October, five months after the BJP formed its Government at the Centre. Delhi lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, West Delhi MP Parvesh Verma, Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay and Delhi Chief Secretary DM Spolia was also present on the occasion. Rajnath Singh gave credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this increased compensation.
Meanwhile, some kin of the riot victims said they want the culprits to be punished instead of the compensation. “My pain cannot be reduced by money and I want to see culprits being punished. Even after 30 years, main culprits are roaming free,” 70-year-old Amarjeet, whose husband Satnam was killed in the riots, said after receiving the cheque from the Union Minister.
“We cannot expect anything from the Government. These riots took place in 1984, but the justice is yet to prevail. “I don’t want money but justice,” Bakshish Kaur, whose husband was also killed in the riots.Speaking on the occasion, lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung said that the incidents of ’84 were shocking and tragic and damage caused to the victims cannot be compensated by words. We all as a Society are ashamed of these incidents.