Six years after Delhi 2020 violence, ex-officials, civil society call for accountability

By A Representative 

A public commemoration marking six years since the February 2020 violence in North East Delhi was held at the Press Club of India on Sunday, bringing together survivors, jurists, political leaders, journalists and civil society members to reflect on questions of justice and accountability that remain unresolved.

The event, titled “Lest We Forget: Remembering the February 2020 Delhi Communal Carnage,” was convened by the Constitutional Conduct Group and Karwan-e-Mohabbat. Organisers described the gathering as an act of collective remembrance and a call for renewed democratic vigilance.

The programme opened with a screening of Mazhab, a musical track performed by Poojan Sahil, followed by a short film on Mohammad Wakeel Mansoori, a resident of Shiv Vihar who lost his eyesight in an acid attack during the violence. Mansoori, who earned a modest living selling children’s items from a shop below his home, died in December 2025 after a fall from his terrace.

Delivering the welcome address, former Indian Foreign Service officer Deb Mukherji situated the February 2020 violence within the broader political developments preceding it, including the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act and protests that followed across the country. He referred to rhetoric used in the public sphere at the time and to concerns raised about police conduct during the violence. He noted that several accused persons remain incarcerated and said the commemoration was dedicated to those still imprisoned as well as to the women of Shaheen Bagh, whose protest he described as an assertion of constitutional values.

A documentary titled Social Suffering was screened next, featuring testimonies of survivors who spoke about trauma, displacement and difficulties in securing redress. The film highlighted the experiences of four survivors of gun violence who formed bonds of solidarity during medical treatment.

Former Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur addressed the legal aftermath of the violence, expressing concern over investigative processes, prolonged pre-trial detention and delays in the framing of charges. He referred to instances where courts had criticised aspects of police investigations and questioned the repeated invocation of a “larger conspiracy” framework. Justice Lokur said constitutional morality requires institutions to uphold the rule of law impartially.

A subsequent film focused on the question of compensation and rehabilitation, portraying the continued economic hardship faced by several survivors. Speakers noted that many affected families were yet to receive what they considered adequate relief.

Former Rajya Sabha member Brinda Karat questioned why no official commission of inquiry had been constituted into the 2020 violence. She argued that accountability for hate speech remained unaddressed and called for independent audits of riot-related cases. She also referred to a petition moved in the Delhi High Court in January 2025 challenging compensation measures.

A short film on political prisoners examined the use of stringent laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the implications of prolonged pre-trial detention in cases linked to the violence.

Senior advocate and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid reflected on the challenge of expanding the conversation beyond those already engaged with the issue. Recalling his involvement during the Shaheen Bagh protests, he emphasised the need for broader dialogue across communities and suggested that remembrance should translate into constructive engagement.

Another film, Saving Lives, documented instances during the 2020 violence where individuals from different faiths protected neighbours and places of worship. Speakers said such accounts underscored acts of solidarity that defied communal polarisation.

Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha expressed hope that justice and accountability would prevail, while cautioning against indefinite delay. Senior journalist John Dayal concluded the discussion by reflecting on public perceptions of judicial institutions and the need to restore faith in constitutional processes.

The event ended with an informal interaction among participants. Organisers said the commemoration sought to underline that remembrance must be accompanied by sustained efforts toward truth, restitution and institutional accountability.