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1984 Sikh Riots: How Voter Lists Were Used to Mark Homes for Attack

Union Minister Hardeep Puri has made shocking allegations about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He claims the then-Congress government used voter lists to systematically identify and mark Sikh homes for attack. Puri described the violence as "cold-blooded killing" rather than spontaneous riots. The minister also accused Congress of attempting to rewrite India's freedom struggle history to favor their own family narrative.

Key Points: Hardeep Puri Recalls 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Voter List Use

  • Voter lists allegedly used to mark Sikh homes with charcoal signs
  • Approximately 2,146 people killed in Delhi during 1984 violence
  • Puri describes events as India's "darkest chapter" post-independence
  • Congress accused of rewriting freedom struggle history
  • Former MP Sajjan Kumar convicted for life in riots case
  • Current court proceedings continue in additional 1984 cases
3 min read

Voter list used to mark houses of Sikh community: Hardeep Puri recounts 1984 anti-Sikh riots

Union Minister Hardeep Puri reveals how Congress government used voter lists to target Sikh homes during 1984 riots, calling it India's "darkest chapter."

"It was not a riot; it was a cold-blooded killing of innocent, vulnerable people sitting in their homes. - Hardeep Singh Puri"

New Delhi, October 31

Calling the 1984 anti-Sikh riots "cold-blooded killing of innocent" people, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday accused the then-Congress government of using the voters' list to mark the houses of the Sikh community.

The assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31 by her two Sikh security guards led to violent attacks on Sikhs and their properties in Delhi and other parts of the country. According to the Justice Nanavati Commission, which probed the riots, about 2146 people were killed in Delhi, while 586 people were said to have been killed in other parts of the country.

Speaking to ANI, Puri described the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as the "darkest chapter" in independent India's history.

He said, "This day, going back to 1984, is one of the darkest. It was not a riot; it was a cold-blooded killing of innocent, vulnerable people sitting in their homes. Those who were responsible for democracy, for preparing the voters list, for law and order, used the voters list to go to the homes of my community, the Sikh community, put charcoal signs outside and then the homes were burnt and people were pulled out."

He also said that the Congress attempted to 'rewrite' the history of the freedom struggle.

The Union Minister said, "It was one of the darkest chapters in our post-1947 history. Who was in power then? A political party that claimed it had made a great contribution to the country. Maybe they did, but if you look at the contribution also, this is a political party which has tried to write the history of the independence struggle, of 1947 and post-1947 history in terms of their own family."

"They denied Sardar Patel his place in history. They denied Ambedkar his place in history. They don't give direct credit to where it belongs, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi," he further alleged.

Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar was convicted and sentenced to life in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi directed the prosecution to file written submissions in another 1984 Sikh riots case against Sajjan Kumar.

He is facing trial in a case linked to FIRs registered at Janakpuri and Vikas Puri Police Stations. The Janakpuri case pertains to the killing of two Sikhs: Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh, on November 1, 1984. The second case was registered in the Vikaspuri police station related to the burning of Gurcharan Singh on November 2, 1984.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As a Delhi resident, I've heard these stories from my elders. The systematic nature of the violence using official records shows how state machinery was misused. We must ensure such dark chapters are never repeated in our democracy.
S
Sarah B
While the tragedy is undeniable, I wish politicians would focus more on healing and reconciliation rather than using such painful events for current political gains. The victims deserve better than being reduced to political talking points.
A
Aman W
Sikh community has always been an integral part of India's fabric. My Sikh friends are the most patriotic Indians I know. Shame on those who orchestrated this violence. We stand with our Sikh brothers and sisters. 🇮🇳
K
Karthik V
The fact that it took decades to convict Sajjan Kumar shows how justice was delayed. Many perpetrators are still roaming free. We need faster judicial processes for such heinous crimes against humanity.
M
Meera T
My grandfather used to tell us how our Sikh neighbors protected our Hindu family during Partition. It's heartbreaking that the same community faced such violence in independent India. We must learn from history and build a more inclusive society.

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