Sikh Genocide 1984
Jathedar counters Manmohan Singh’s claim about doing a lot for victims of Nov. 1984
January 4, 2014 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau
Amritsar, Punjab (January 04, 2013): Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has reportedly countered the statement of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the UPA government had done a lot to help the Sikh victims of November 1984 carnage.
“We have not seen any major relief given to the 1984 carnage victims by the UPA government. There are thousands of victims in Punjab who have not been given adequate compensation as compared to the losses suffered by them,” the Jathedar reportedly told TOI on Friday.
Dr Manmohan Singh (L) | Giani Gurbachan Singh (R)
Notably Manmohan Singh, who is counting last days of his second consecutive term as Prime Minister of India stated yesterday that UPA had done “quite a lot” for Sikhs who suffered in the 1984 violence. He was addressing a press conference in New Delhi.
He had also stated that he had apologized to the Sikhs on behalf of his government before adding that no relief was “adequate” to compensate for the loss of lives.
“Leave aside compensation, none of the perpetrators of the most heinous crime against humanity has been put behind bars. Rather, people like Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler have been bestowed with prized posts and are being sheltered by the Congress government”, he said before adding that he agreed with the PM that no compensation could make up for the loss of lives. “Sikhs should be careful of such statements from the Congress leaders,” he said
According to Times of India, [r]eacting to the PM’s statement, Danga Pirat Welfare Society (Riot Victims Welfare Society) president Surjit Singh Dugri observed, “The PM is once again rubbing salt on our wounds.” A few victims were given Rs 2 lakh compensation each after over two decades of the pogrom, he said. “You call it compensation? It was an eye wash… an insult to their injury. There are more than 5,000 victims of the 1984 violence living in Punjab who haven’t received any compensation,” he alleged.
“What would a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh do for a victim who lost his property worth Rs 20 lakhs besides losing precious lives of his family members?” he asked.
The head of welfare society’s women wing, Gurdeep Kaur, said “These statements are just an election gimmick of the Congress party to woo Sikh voters. But we will not take the bait.” She also wondered whether the PM had ever personally inquired of the victims. “I don’t think so, he would have ever met the victims to know about their conditions. Their wounds will not be healed with lip service alone,” she said.
Bibi Nirpreet Singh, a victim-cum-survivor of Sikh Genocide 1984 said that compensation can’t be substitute of justice. She said that victims of Sikh genocide 1984 want justice as no compensation could compensate their loss.
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Related Topics: 1984 Sikh Genocide, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Giani Gurbachan Singh, Indian State, November 1984
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