NEW DELHI: Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was a profound tragedy but stressed that it could not justify the violence subsequently inflicted on the Sikh community during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.Ahead of the 42nd anniversary of the riots on November 1, Puri said, “The assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, regardless of one’s perspective, was a profound tragedy. The collective punishment subsequently inflicted upon the Sikh community cannot be justified under any circumstances.”Speaking about the scale of the violence, Puri said an official death toll of 3,325 was recorded across the country, with Delhi alone accounting for 2,733 deaths. He also described November 1 as a painful reminder for Sikh families who lost relatives and saw their homes reduced to ashes.Puri also credited senior advocate HS Phoolka for his decades-long efforts to secure justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying he had remained committed to the legal battle despite threats and repeated delays.“One individual who has dedicated over four decades to helping the victims secure justice, remaining steadfast in his resolve and, alongside their legal counsel, keeping these cases alive despite threats and persistent delays, is HS Phoolka,” Puri said.1984 anti-Sikh riotsThe anti-Sikh violence broke out across several parts of India following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.The assassination came months after Operation Blue Star, a military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi’s government to remove armed militants from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar.
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The violence intensified in Delhi over the following days, with Sikh men, women and children targeted in attacks. Homes, shops and businesses belonging to members of the community were looted and set on fire. Several neighbourhoods in the national capital witnessed widespread killings and destruction.The violence also triggered allegations of organised attacks and political complicity, leading to several investigations, commissions and prolonged court battles.The demand for accountability and justice has continued for decades, with survivors and families of victims pursuing legal action against those accused of involvement in the violence.