The 1984 anti-Sikh violence, one of the most harrowing events in India’s modern history, has been a subject of debate and demand for justice for decades. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s acknowledgment of the events as “genocide” in 2014 marked a pivotal moment in reframing the narrative and reaffirming the government’s commitment to justice. This recognition, however, remains a part of an ongoing struggle for accountability and reconciliation.
Rajnath Singh, speaking in Tilak Vihar, New Delhi, described the events of 1984 not as riots but as “genocide,” highlighting the systematic and targeted nature of the violence. Singh distributed compensation cheques of ₹5 lakh each to 17 families who lost loved ones in the carnage. The event was part of a broader initiative to provide enhanced compensation to 2,459 victims’ families after verification. However, Singh emphasized that monetary compensation could never truly address the pain inflicted, stating, “The pain of the kin of riot victims cannot be compensated by even paying crores of rupees.”
The violence, which erupted in the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination, resulted in the deaths of thousands of Sikhs across India. Reports and eyewitness accounts have pointed to the orchestrated nature of the attacks, with allegations of complicity by state actors and members of the ruling Congress Party at the time. Victims and their families have long demanded accountability, lamenting the lack of justice even after decades. “My pain cannot be reduced by money. I want to see the culprits punished,” said 70-year-old Amarjeet, whose husband was among the victims.
Singh assured victims that the government remained committed to addressing their grievances. A committee under a retired judge was established to address complaints and ensure that perpetrators face consequences. Yet, for many survivors, the acknowledgment of genocide was bittersweet, as justice remains elusive. Bakshish Kaur, another widow, voiced the sentiment of many, saying, “We cannot expect anything from the government. These riots took place in 1984, but justice is yet to prevail. I don’t want money but justice.”
This recognition by the Indian government is part of a larger, global conversation about the 1984 violence. In Canada, efforts have been made to officially recognize the events as genocide. Canadian leaders such as Jagmeet Singh and Sukh Dhaliwal have championed this cause, arguing that acknowledgment is a necessary step towards justice and reconciliation. However, these motions have faced stiff opposition, reflecting the complexity of addressing historical atrocities within international and multicultural contexts.
The legacy of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence continues to resonate deeply. For victims and their families, the demand for justice is not just about punishment but also about healing and acknowledgment of their pain. Singh’s recognition of the violence as genocide is a step forward, but until those responsible are held accountable, the scars of 1984 will remain unhealed. As governments, both in India and abroad, wrestle with the weight of history, the voices of survivors serve as a constant reminder of the importance of truth, justice, and reconciliation.
