Punishing ’84 rioters may have prevented Dadri episode, avers Kejriwal

“Had the culprits of 1984 massacre been punished in time, then the riots of Gujarat, and recently incidents like Dadri could not have happened,” said Kejriwal addressing the kin of 84 anti-Sikh riot victims after distributing cheques of enhanced compensation of Rs five lakh. Launching a scathing attack on Bharatiya Janata Party and Central government for the 2002 Gujarat riots and the mob-lynching of a man in Uttar Pradesh’s Dadri last month, he said the BJP had only tried to score political points from the riots.

“The peace and tranquility in the society is being disturbed and an atmosphere of communal hatred is being created and spread by the divisive forces which have become a cause of concern to every Indian,” added Kejriwal. He also reminded that the President Pranab Mukherjee had to intervene into the matter and appeal for peace and tolerance.

“Centre formed a Special Investigation Team for 1984 riots just a day before 14th February - a day before my government came to power. The Centre was scared I will put honest officers in the SIT and the guilty will be brought to the book,” he said. Kejriwal distributed cheques to the victims of the riots alleging that while the Centre had announced the increased compensation, it had not taken it forward. The riots took place after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984. 

About 3,000 people were killed in violence by mobs allegedly led by Congress leaders. 

The BJP has long championed the cause of Sikhs targeted in the riots and recently announced hike in compensation for the victims’ families. But Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party have accused the BJP of trying to win over Sikh voters ahead of elections.