Outrage over the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar continued with full force as the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots entered fourth day of their protest on Saturday. Tormented victim Nirpreet Kaur, who began an indefinite fast on Friday, has written a letter to the Prime Minister demanding justice for the riot victims.
Accusing the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not fulfilling his promises, Nirpreet said through the letter, “In 2005, when the Nanavati Commission report was tabled in Parliament, the Prime Minister had assured us that all the perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to books. What happened to that promiseIJ The PM has failed to safeguard not just the Sikhs, but other religions too.”
Nirpreet, who is a witness to her father’s murder in the riots, is on an indefinite fast since Friday and is not ready to have a morsel of food until her four demands are fulfilled.
The demands mentioned by Nirpreet Kaur include, “The charge sheet prepared in 1992 against Sajjan Kumar, for killing four people in Nangloi, has still not been presented in court. The charge sheet that has enough evidence against Kumar must be presented in court immediately.
“The second demand is to suspend DCP Rajiv Ranjan who suppressed the charge sheet to shield the guilty. Thirdly, form a Special Investigation Team to carry out inquiry separately and impartially. lastly, an appeal should be filed immediately in the high court against the acquittal of Sajjan Kumar. The trial should take place on a day-to-day basis and conclude it within three months.”
Joining the stage with her are victims Jagdish Kaur(who lost her husband and son), Pappi Kaur (who lost 10 members of her family in riots at the age of 15 years), Jagsher Singh and many more whose lives were rattled in 1984.
“This is a fight for humanity. We all have to face it bravely and not give up at any cost,” said victim Jagdish Kaur.
Aam Admi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, with Manjit Singh, President of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Managing Committee took to the stage providing full support to the victims to whom “justice has been denied.”
“By this protest and fast, we want to show that Congress doesn’t believe in Gandhian way but we do. They only talk, while we act,” said Jarnail Singh, a protester.
lambasting the government for influencing judicial decisions, Manjit Singh said, “It’s a black spot on the system. The government can neither see the wounds nor hear the cries of the victims. It should stop interfering in the judicial procedures. Till the time this government is not thrown out, we will not be able to achieve justice.”
Protests began erupting on April 30 when a Karkardooma court acquitted Sajjan Kumar in the murder of five Sikhs in Delhi Cantonment area. Though other accused were convicted, the court gave Kumar “benefit of doubt” in the matter.