Anti-Sikh massacre, often viewed as state-sponsored, revealed dark side of India’s democracy and secularism

By Harsh Thakor* 

The 40th anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots marks a somber reminder of one of the most harrowing communal massacres in India since Partition. On November 1, 2024, citizens across India reflected on the brutal events that followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, when over 2,500 Sikhs were systematically murdered. Descriptions alone cannot capture the horror and scale of this massacre, which left deep scars on the Sikh community and strained the long-standing bond between Hindus and Sikhs.

The massacre, often viewed as state-sponsored, revealed a dark side of India’s democracy and secularism. With the involvement of senior Congress leaders, authorities at multiple levels supported and executed a calculated plan to target Sikhs, reportedly devised weeks, if not months, before the violence erupted.

To this day, demands for justice remain unmet. Despite multiple inquiry commissions that exposed the crimes, no substantial actions have been taken against the perpetrators. Reports show that of 587 First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in Delhi, 241 went uninvestigated, and only 25 cases led to convictions, with most accused either acquitted or discharged. Out of 1,286 people charged with murder, only 60 were convicted, while others faced lesser charges. Senior Congress leaders Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler still face charges, with ongoing trials in the High Court and Supreme Court. Investigative reports such as "Who are the Guilty?" (1984), published by the People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) and the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), implicated 140 police officials and political leaders, yet calls for accountability largely went unheeded.

As prominent Indian writer Khushwant Singh once wrote, the Justice Nanavati report of 2005 on the massacre offered little hope, noting that the government delayed and downplayed findings. The report’s conclusions prompted yet another commission, signaling an unwillingness to genuinely address the issue.

Throughout these harrowing events, numerous individuals demonstrated solidarity. Hindu neighbors in many cases shielded Sikh families, often risking their lives. The aftermath of the riots saw massive protests led by civil liberties groups in Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Hyderabad. Various cultural and political groups organized street performances to highlight the anti-Sikh violence, with significant efforts by organizations like Aavhan Natya Manch in Mumbai and Nishant Natya Manch in Delhi. Several Left groups organized self-defense committees to protect Sikhs from the violence.

Today, a new wave of communal violence challenges the values of unity and justice. In recent years, targeted attacks on Muslims and Sikhs have fueled communal divides, with lynchings and inflammatory propaganda sowing discord. Recent legislation, such as the Wakf Bill, exacerbates this divide, shifting public focus from critical issues like inflation and unemployment.

On November 2, 2024, a commemoration of the 40th anniversary was held at Jantar Mantar, Delhi. Organized by Lok Raj Sangathan, the meeting renewed calls to end state-sponsored violence and hold authorities accountable. Participants condemned the political manipulation that divides communities for electoral gain, demanding acknowledgment of the genocide and justice for victims. They urged the enforcement of command responsibility, ensuring that leaders orchestrating communal attacks are held answerable.

Speakers at the event included representatives from Lok Raj Sangathan, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Communist Ghadar Party of India, Welfare Party of India, and several other organizations. Speakers highlighted the divisive nature of communal politics, emphasizing how it undermines societal unity and the right to live with dignity.

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*Freelance journalist