Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the INDIA Bloc’s decision to organise its November 1 demonstration at Ramlila Maidan on the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Speaking during a BJP march in Delhi, Gupta questioned the Congress’s claims of protecting democratic values and demanded accountability for the violence that affected thousands of Sikh families.
The BJP organised a march from Hari Nagar Depot to Tilak Nagar Metro Station, bringing together senior party leaders, government representatives and members of the Sikh community. The programme was held alongside the Congress-led opposition rally, which focused on alleged electoral irregularities and objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
Rekha Gupta Invokes 1984 Violence in Attack on Congress
Addressing participants, Gupta questioned how Congress could speak about democracy and constitutional values while organising a political demonstration on a date associated with the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.
She said thousands of Sikh families had lost relatives during the riots and that many survivors continued to seek justice decades later.
Gupta also criticised Rahul Gandhi’s public messaging around constitutional values, arguing that the Congress leadership should acknowledge its historical responsibilities towards the victims.
BJP Leaders Join March in West Delhi
The demonstration was attended by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra, Union Minister of State Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Delhi ministers, including Ashish Sood.
Members of the Sikh community also participated in the march, which highlighted the demand for justice for families affected by the 1984 violence.
Gupta and other BJP leaders questioned Congress’s decision to continue with its political programme despite objections regarding the anniversary.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa Raises Questions Over Justice for Victims
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also criticised the Congress over the timing of the rally. He said the date brought back painful memories for families affected by the violence.
Sirsa referred to investigations into the 1984 cases, including the formation of a Special Investigation Team in 2015 to reopen serious cases that had previously been closed.
He also mentioned compensation measures announced for affected families and said the legal process concerning unresolved cases would continue.
Rakab Ganj Gurdwara Violence Recalled
During the programme, Sirsa referred to the violence at Rakab Ganj Gurdwara on November 1, 1984, in which two Sikh men were killed.
He also discussed allegations raised during investigations concerning Congress leader Kamal Nath. Nath has denied the allegations.
The issue remains part of the wider debate surrounding accountability and justice for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Rekha Gupta Responds to Rahul Gandhi’s Electoral Allegations
The BJP leaders’ criticism came as Rahul Gandhi addressed the INDIA Bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, where he accused the Election Commission of facilitating alleged voter deletions.
Gandhi claimed that more than 13.5 crore people had been removed from electoral rolls and demanded accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Election Commission over the alleged irregularities, making electoral transparency the central theme of the opposition demonstration.
1984 Riots Anniversary Adds to Political Confrontation
The parallel programmes in Delhi highlighted two different political debates on November 1. While the INDIA Bloc focused on electoral-roll revision and the functioning of the Election Commission, BJP leaders used their march to raise questions about Congress’s historical record and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The exchange between the two political sides has once again brought the issue of justice for riot victims into the national political discussion.
