By IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, 22 Oct 2014: Several Muslim organizations are likely to attend the annual protest demonstration here in the National Capital next week seeking justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The event is being organized by civil rights group Lok Raj Sangathan on 1st Nov to commemorate 30th anniversary of the riots that killed thousands of Sikhs in Delhi and other parts of the country in October-November 1984.
The riots had broken out following the murder of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards as revenge for the Operation Blue Star at Golden Temple in Punjab, the most sacred place for Sikhs.
Many politicians of the Congress party were made accused for their involvement in the anti-Sikh riot. Around 30 years after the riots, none of the accused has been punished.
Lok Raj Sangathan is proposing to organise a demonstration from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar on November 1st morning to commemorate 30th anniversary of Sikh massacre, said Raghavan Srinivasan,President, Lok Raj Sangathan.
In connection with the demonstration, Mr. Srinivasan held a planning meeting at Gandhi Peace Foundation here on Monday. Apart from office bearers of Lok Raj Sangathan, representatives of Ghadar Party and some Sikh groups also attended the meeting. Eminent human rights lawyer Adv. ND Pancholi also took part in the meeting. Some Muslim organizations were also invited to the meeting. They included Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Social Democratic Party of India, United Muslim Front, Association for Protection of Civil Rights and Welfare Party of India.
Inamur Rahman (extreme left) of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind with delegates at meeting for Sikh demonstration in Delhi on 20 Oct 2014.
Confirming Jamaat’s participation in the meeting and the next week’s demonstration, Mr. Inamur Rahman, an official from Jamaat’s Public Relations Department said: “From the day one, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has been raising voice for justice for all. Jamaat is against atrocity wherever committed and by whoever.” Mr. Rahman represented Jamaat at the meeting further said: “We support the demand that victims of the anti-Sikh riot should be given justice and the culprits should be punished.”
Besides Jamaat, representatives of Social Democratic Party of India and United Muslim Front also attended the meeting.
The organizers of the 1st November demonstration, it is learnt, will include in their memorandum the demand for justice for the victims of all major riots in the country including those occurred in Gujarat, Bhagalpur, Meerut and Muzaffarnagar.
