08-09-2005, 12:26 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Carnage was organised by Congress leaders: Nanavati </b>
Pramod Kumar Singh/ New Delhi
Justice GT Nanavati Commission report on the <b>1984 anti-Sikh riots is certain to resurrect the ghost of the biggest ever holocaust of post-independence India.</b> Describing the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 as an<b> "organised carnage", </b>the report says, "local Congress leaders and workers had either incited or helped the mobs in attacking the Sikhs.
But for the backing and help of influential and resourceful persons, killing of Sikhs so swiftly and in such large numbers could not have happened." Although the report exonerates the Congress High Command, it indicts Delhi Police of dereliction of duty and points <b>an accusing finger at prominent Congress MPs of the time, notably Dharam Das Shastri, HKL Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler</b>.
As regards individuals, the report recommends reopening all such cases against Outer Delhi Member of Parliament Sajjan Kumar, which have been declared "untraced". In the case of Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Jagdish Tytler, the commission is not very clear about the former's involvement but nonetheless seeks a re-examination.
Justice Nanavati in his overall consideration for the genocide that took place on Delhi roads in the aftermath of the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984 has written, <b>"The systematic manner in which the Sikhs were thus killed indicate that the attacks were organised. The exploitation of the situation was also by the local political leaders for their political and personal gains like increasing the clout by showing their importance, popularity and hold over the masses. Lack of fear of the police was also one of the causes for the happening of so many incidents within those three to four days. Probably, there was a desire on the part of some persons to teach a lesson to the Sikhs."</b>
That the capital was engulfed in anti-Sikh frenzy at the instigation of Delhi Congress leaders was amply manifested in Sultanpuri area, which housed the lower strata of society.<b> In Sultanpuri, the attacks on Sikhs were on very large scale and the commission has found the footprints of Outer Delhi MP and Delhi Congress strongman Sajjan Kumar</b>. The affidavits of persons residing in Blocks A and B disclose that in the morning of November1, 1984, a mob of about 500 to 600 persons gathered near B-2 park and was addressed by Sajjan Kumar who reportedly instigated them to attack the Sikhs for killing Indira Gandhi. The mob was raising slogans such as <b>"Khoon ka badla khoon". </b>More than 50 people were killed during the attacks and more than 650 houses were looted and burnt. Sumer Singh, Phota Singh, Sidhouri Kaur, Jatan Kaur and Prem Kaur in their statements before the commission specifically named Sajjan Kumar as the person who addressed the mob on that day and incited it to attack Sikhs. Vidya Devi whose husband was burnt alive named Sajjan Kumar for the death of her husband.
Moti Singh of B Block has stated that on the morning of November 1, Sajjan Kumar clearly told the mob that had gathered near B-block to take revenge and he had even promised cash rewards for those who killed specific Sikh leaders.
If that was not enough the survivors in Palam Colony and Amarjit Kaur of Chand Colony had spoken about the killing of her husband Captain Nazar Singh Mangat. She had specifically named <b>Sajjan Kumar as the person who led the mob, which killed her husband by burning him alive</b>.
Sajjan has also been named for his role in the Nangloi area that also witnessed largescale arson and killing of Sikhs. According to an affidavit filed by Satnam Singh, Sajjan Kumar held a meeting in Matiala and Navada villages near Kiran Garden and instigated them to attack Sikhs and loot their properties. The MP also allegedly distributed iron rods to the mob after which the frenzy began.
Coming down heavily on the conduct of Sajjan Kumar, the commission has asked, "Why so many persons had named him and attributed acts like addressing meetings and inciting people to kill Sikhs and to loot and destroy their properties remains unexplained by Sajjan Kumar. A technical defence taken by him that these witnesses had not named him before the police or in the courts is not a good explanation for disbelieving those witnesses. The commission is, therefor inclined to take the view that there is credible material against Sajjan Kumar and his associate Balwan Khokhar for recording a finding that he and Khokhar were probably involved as alleged by the witnesses."
Sajjan Kumar was not alone as there were other Congress leaders who took active part in the brutal killing of innocent Sikhs.<b> Om Prakash, the brother-in-law of former Delhi Minister Deep Chand Bandhu</b> had attacked the residents of Nimri Colony in Ashok Vihar. <b>Om Prakash had brought a jeep, which was loaded with inflammable liquid and they started attacking Sikh families in the presence of police officers.</b>
<b>HKL Bhagat, who was virtually ruling Delhi in 1984 has also been accused of leading a mob in Seemapuri area where many Sikhs were killed</b>. Residents of Krishna Nagar filed affidavits alleging that the mob, which killed many members of their families was addressed by HKL Bhagat. Kalyanpuri and Trilokpuri areas were worst affected in East Delhi as the <b>supporters of Bhagat let loose a carnage against hapless Sikhs </b>and there was one Dr Ashok, said to be an ardent supporter of the Congress leader who not only indulged in the killing but incited his ilk to avenge the killing of Indira Gandhi. After the mad frenzy subsided, the victims and their families were asked not to name Bhagat for the killings.
"The commission is of the view that there is a credible material against the Congress leaders and workers. The commission does not recommend any further action against Bhagat in view of his physical and metal condition."
Dharam Das Shatri, the then MP from Karol Bagh led his people to attack and loot Sikh families in Patel Nagar, Karol Bagh and other areas. The situation in Karol Bagh had taken an ugly turn after<b> Shastri allegedly asked local leaders Tek Chand Sharma and Rajinder Pal Singh to kill Sikhs. Shastri had even slapped and threatened the SHO of Karol Bagh if he dared to take any action while his supporters were busy targeting Sikhs. </b>
The commission has noted, "The commission, therefore, is of the view that there is credible evidence against Shastri who was a Congress leader of the locality that he had instigated his men Tek Chand and Rajinder to organise attack on Sikhs. The commission recommends to the government that it should examine the relevant material and direct investigation or further investigation as may be found necessary to the aforesaid allegations".
Jagdish Tytler, who was MP from North Delhi has been also accused of egging his supporters to target Sikhs. Surinder Singh in his affidavit had said that the mob that <b>attacked Gurdwara Pul Bangash and killed Jaswinder Singh and Thakur Singh was led by Tytler</b>. Surinder had claimed that Tytler later contacted him and asked him to sign on the dotted line but he refused. In his cross examination, Surinder Singh stuck to his guns and reiterated that he had not filed any affidavit earlier.
The commission has noted that it appeared that Jagdish Tytler was in some way involved in the attacks on Sikhs or their properties in the area. <b>"The commission considers that there is credible evidence against Jagdish Tytler to the effect that very probably he had a hand in organising attacks on Sikhs. The commission therefor recommends to the government to look into this aspect and take further action as may be found necessary." </b><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Pramod Kumar Singh/ New Delhi
Justice GT Nanavati Commission report on the <b>1984 anti-Sikh riots is certain to resurrect the ghost of the biggest ever holocaust of post-independence India.</b> Describing the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 as an<b> "organised carnage", </b>the report says, "local Congress leaders and workers had either incited or helped the mobs in attacking the Sikhs.
But for the backing and help of influential and resourceful persons, killing of Sikhs so swiftly and in such large numbers could not have happened." Although the report exonerates the Congress High Command, it indicts Delhi Police of dereliction of duty and points <b>an accusing finger at prominent Congress MPs of the time, notably Dharam Das Shastri, HKL Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler</b>.
As regards individuals, the report recommends reopening all such cases against Outer Delhi Member of Parliament Sajjan Kumar, which have been declared "untraced". In the case of Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Jagdish Tytler, the commission is not very clear about the former's involvement but nonetheless seeks a re-examination.
Justice Nanavati in his overall consideration for the genocide that took place on Delhi roads in the aftermath of the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984 has written, <b>"The systematic manner in which the Sikhs were thus killed indicate that the attacks were organised. The exploitation of the situation was also by the local political leaders for their political and personal gains like increasing the clout by showing their importance, popularity and hold over the masses. Lack of fear of the police was also one of the causes for the happening of so many incidents within those three to four days. Probably, there was a desire on the part of some persons to teach a lesson to the Sikhs."</b>
That the capital was engulfed in anti-Sikh frenzy at the instigation of Delhi Congress leaders was amply manifested in Sultanpuri area, which housed the lower strata of society.<b> In Sultanpuri, the attacks on Sikhs were on very large scale and the commission has found the footprints of Outer Delhi MP and Delhi Congress strongman Sajjan Kumar</b>. The affidavits of persons residing in Blocks A and B disclose that in the morning of November1, 1984, a mob of about 500 to 600 persons gathered near B-2 park and was addressed by Sajjan Kumar who reportedly instigated them to attack the Sikhs for killing Indira Gandhi. The mob was raising slogans such as <b>"Khoon ka badla khoon". </b>More than 50 people were killed during the attacks and more than 650 houses were looted and burnt. Sumer Singh, Phota Singh, Sidhouri Kaur, Jatan Kaur and Prem Kaur in their statements before the commission specifically named Sajjan Kumar as the person who addressed the mob on that day and incited it to attack Sikhs. Vidya Devi whose husband was burnt alive named Sajjan Kumar for the death of her husband.
Moti Singh of B Block has stated that on the morning of November 1, Sajjan Kumar clearly told the mob that had gathered near B-block to take revenge and he had even promised cash rewards for those who killed specific Sikh leaders.
If that was not enough the survivors in Palam Colony and Amarjit Kaur of Chand Colony had spoken about the killing of her husband Captain Nazar Singh Mangat. She had specifically named <b>Sajjan Kumar as the person who led the mob, which killed her husband by burning him alive</b>.
Sajjan has also been named for his role in the Nangloi area that also witnessed largescale arson and killing of Sikhs. According to an affidavit filed by Satnam Singh, Sajjan Kumar held a meeting in Matiala and Navada villages near Kiran Garden and instigated them to attack Sikhs and loot their properties. The MP also allegedly distributed iron rods to the mob after which the frenzy began.
Coming down heavily on the conduct of Sajjan Kumar, the commission has asked, "Why so many persons had named him and attributed acts like addressing meetings and inciting people to kill Sikhs and to loot and destroy their properties remains unexplained by Sajjan Kumar. A technical defence taken by him that these witnesses had not named him before the police or in the courts is not a good explanation for disbelieving those witnesses. The commission is, therefor inclined to take the view that there is credible material against Sajjan Kumar and his associate Balwan Khokhar for recording a finding that he and Khokhar were probably involved as alleged by the witnesses."
Sajjan Kumar was not alone as there were other Congress leaders who took active part in the brutal killing of innocent Sikhs.<b> Om Prakash, the brother-in-law of former Delhi Minister Deep Chand Bandhu</b> had attacked the residents of Nimri Colony in Ashok Vihar. <b>Om Prakash had brought a jeep, which was loaded with inflammable liquid and they started attacking Sikh families in the presence of police officers.</b>
<b>HKL Bhagat, who was virtually ruling Delhi in 1984 has also been accused of leading a mob in Seemapuri area where many Sikhs were killed</b>. Residents of Krishna Nagar filed affidavits alleging that the mob, which killed many members of their families was addressed by HKL Bhagat. Kalyanpuri and Trilokpuri areas were worst affected in East Delhi as the <b>supporters of Bhagat let loose a carnage against hapless Sikhs </b>and there was one Dr Ashok, said to be an ardent supporter of the Congress leader who not only indulged in the killing but incited his ilk to avenge the killing of Indira Gandhi. After the mad frenzy subsided, the victims and their families were asked not to name Bhagat for the killings.
"The commission is of the view that there is a credible material against the Congress leaders and workers. The commission does not recommend any further action against Bhagat in view of his physical and metal condition."
Dharam Das Shatri, the then MP from Karol Bagh led his people to attack and loot Sikh families in Patel Nagar, Karol Bagh and other areas. The situation in Karol Bagh had taken an ugly turn after<b> Shastri allegedly asked local leaders Tek Chand Sharma and Rajinder Pal Singh to kill Sikhs. Shastri had even slapped and threatened the SHO of Karol Bagh if he dared to take any action while his supporters were busy targeting Sikhs. </b>
The commission has noted, "The commission, therefore, is of the view that there is credible evidence against Shastri who was a Congress leader of the locality that he had instigated his men Tek Chand and Rajinder to organise attack on Sikhs. The commission recommends to the government that it should examine the relevant material and direct investigation or further investigation as may be found necessary to the aforesaid allegations".
Jagdish Tytler, who was MP from North Delhi has been also accused of egging his supporters to target Sikhs. Surinder Singh in his affidavit had said that the mob that <b>attacked Gurdwara Pul Bangash and killed Jaswinder Singh and Thakur Singh was led by Tytler</b>. Surinder had claimed that Tytler later contacted him and asked him to sign on the dotted line but he refused. In his cross examination, Surinder Singh stuck to his guns and reiterated that he had not filed any affidavit earlier.
The commission has noted that it appeared that Jagdish Tytler was in some way involved in the attacks on Sikhs or their properties in the area. <b>"The commission considers that there is credible evidence against Jagdish Tytler to the effect that very probably he had a hand in organising attacks on Sikhs. The commission therefor recommends to the government to look into this aspect and take further action as may be found necessary." </b><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->