Chandigarh: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday criticised the Congress for holding a rally in Delhi on November 1, the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, accusing the party of hurting the sentiments of victims’ families and the Sikh community.
Addressing an event in Chandigarh, Shah alleged that the Congress had ignored the painful significance of the date by organising its rally on a day associated with the killings of thousands of Sikhs following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
He said families had lost their loved ones and many women had been widowed during the violence. Shah also described the killings as inspired by the Congress, an allegation he has levelled against the party.
Amit Shah Targets Rahul Gandhi Over Delhi Rally
Shah referred to the statement attributed to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, “When a big tree falls, the earth shakes”, saying he had heard it on television.
He claimed that his party had appealed to Congress leaders not to hold the rally on November 1 because of the painful memories associated with the date. Accusing the Congress of disregarding those concerns, Shah said the event amounted to rubbing salt into the wounds of victims’ families.
“I strongly condemn these efforts of the Congress Party. The families of the victims will never forget this,” he said.
The Home Minister also targeted Rahul Gandhi, questioning the Congress leader’s political outreach and suggesting that it would not win the support of people who remember the 1984 violence.
Shah further claimed that the Narendra Modi government had reopened cases related to the violence and that Congress leaders had been jailed in connection with them.
Shah Takes Dig At Congress’ Electoral Record In Delhi
Shah also criticised Rahul Gandhi’s initiative of holding a mock Parliament, suggesting that the Congress leader’s ambition of becoming Prime Minister would remain limited to the exercise.
Referring to the Congress rally, he said traders in Delhi had also appealed to the party not to organise the event during the festive season.
On the electoral front, Shah claimed that the Congress had failed to win a single seat in each of the last three Delhi Assembly elections. He predicted that the party would face the same outcome in the next three elections and asked its leaders to prepare to remain in the Opposition.
Amit Shah Sets December 2029 Deadline For Drug-Free Punjab
Turning to the issue of drug abuse, Shah said the government was committed to making Punjab and the entire country drug-free by December 31, 2029.
Concluding his remarks, the Home Minister said people were watching the political developments and would get an opportunity to respond to the Congress in the 2029 elections.
