Several Sikh leaders and members of families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots staged a protest outside Rahul Gandhi’s residence on Saturday, demanding an apology over remarks by certain Congress leaders allegedly describing former party leader Sajjan Kumar as a “hero” and “role model”.
The protest came after Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress leader, died on Thursday. He had been convicted in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The protesters, led by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harmeet Singh Kalka and general secretary Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, gathered outside Gandhi’s residence at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road amid heavy police barricading.
A DSGMC leader said the Congress should clarify whether Kumar, who was convicted in cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was being regarded as a “hero”.
“After Sajjan Kumar’s death, the kind of statements given by Congress leaders saying Sajjan Kumar is our hero are objectionable. Rahul Gandhi has to clarify today whether Sajjan Kumar is their hero,” the leader said.
Referring to a statement made by Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda, the DSGMC leader demanded that Gandhi apologise to the Sikh community.
“Forty-two years later, the wounds of our families have been reopened. Our sentiments have been hurt. Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders must acknowledge and apologise,” he said.
The protesters said they were seeking an apology from Gandhi and other Congress leaders over the alleged remarks.
The DSGMC had earlier said the protest was being organised after the Congress “once again allegedly referred to Sajjan Kumar, accused in the killings of thousands of Sikhs, as a role model”, claiming that the remarks had reopened the wounds of the Sikh community and families affected by the 1984 violence.
Police deployed heavy barricading around Gandhi’s residence as the protesters gathered there on Saturday afternoon.
(With inputs from PTI)