CHANDIGARH: Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party's state core committee member and former MLA, Kewal Singh Dhillon, has welcomed the Haryana government's decision to provide government jobs to members of families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and thanked Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Dhillon stated that this decision is a significant step towards justice, honour, and social rehabilitation. Present on this occasion were State Vice President Bikram Singh Cheema, State Spokesperson S.S. Channi, and State Media Head Vineet Joshi.
BJP leader Kewal Singh Dhillon said that this decision would also prove to be inspirational for other states. Dhillon stated that the dark chapter of 1984 cannot be closed without justice and rehabilitation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has demonstrated that when politics is coupled with genuine intent, justice is assured.
Dhillon mentioned that earlier, within 100 days of the BJP government coming to power in Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had also taken a historic step by providing jobs to the riot-affected families. Now, with this announcement by the Haryana government, it has been proven that BJP-ruled states are sensitive and committed to the rights of the victims.
In the 1984 Sikh massacre, nearly a thousand people lost their lives, with the highest number of killings occurring in Delhi. Thousands of families were rendered homeless, and many children were orphaned. Instead of providing justice to the victims, the then Congress government tried to suppress the matter.
Dhillon stated that after the BJP government came to power at the Centre in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reopened the riot cases. Investigations into hundreds of cases were initiated anew, and many culprits were brought within the ambit of the law. In 2018, Sajjan Kumar was sentenced to life imprisonment. Several other culprits received severe punishments under the law after a long time. Not only this, but financial assistance of up to 5 lakh rupees was also provided to the affected families along with other support.
The Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi government not only failed to deliver justice to the victims of the 1984 riots but also did not appoint a single Sikh as a minister during its 10-year rule.