7, June 2015 Response
to A.K. Sharma (I-W, 5th June)
A.K. Sharma (I-W July 5) ‘Sikhs Need to Stop living in 1984’ merits a
double-barrel response. It was insulting, preachy and patronizing and. clearly
betrayed Sharma’s lack of knowledge of the tragic events of 1984. Contrary to
Sharma’s assertions the passage of time does not diminish the severity of the
crimes or the urgent need for accountability.
It is a searing
indictment of India’s broken criminal justice system that the perpetrators of
the 1984 Sikhs continue to escape arrest. According to the Times of India, well
over 4000 died and 60,000 were rendered homeless in the orgy of state sponsored
violence that followed the assassination of Indira Gandhi. What made these
attacks especially heinous is the active role of leading Congress party leaders
who orchestrated the mayhem. Police stood idly by while angry mobs went on a
rampage of looting, murder, rape and arson.
Many
courageous Hindus (and Muslims) came to the aid of Sikhs. However, that does
not detract from the serious crimes that were committed. All acts of violence
must be condemned and vigorously prosecuted – whether they are committed by
Hindus, Sikhs or any other ethnic or religious groups. It is time for India to
upgrade its ‘Charles Dickens’s’ lackadaisical justice system. It is important to
assuage the anger of the Sikh community by bringing the guilty to justice.
Justice delayed is justice denied. It is especially important to send a strong
message to those who occupy lofty positions of political power that they are
not immune from the law. Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister, Ranjanth
Singh acknowledged the crimes perpetrated against the Sikhs but have thus far
failed to act.
Sharma does acknowledge that “events of 1984 were horrific and
inexcusable”. If that is so why not hold those guilty of these grizzly crimes
fully accountable?
No comments:
Post a Comment