New Delhi [India], September 18 (ANI): Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Monday urged the House to unanimously condemn the 1984 Sikh riots adding that it was shocking to see that in a free and independent India the then Congress government would stoop down so low to kill an entire community.
Addressing the Lok Sabha on Day 1 of the Special Session, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, “As an 18-year-old, I saw a murder of democracy, a murder of religious freedom that took place in 1984. I was a victim of this. My community was a victim. It is shocking that in a free and independent India, the state itself and the Congress government itself would stoop down to killing an entire generation because of whatever reasons they might have thought.”
Adding that it was the Congress that attacked the Holy Shrines of the Sikh community, she said, “It took tanks and bullets at our Akal Takht and then murdered thousands of Sikhs state in a sponsored genocide unheard of. This House should unanimously condemn the 1984 sikh genocide which has not been done till this date.” She further demanded that Parliament should unanimously give homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur, who is the ninth of ten gurus in the Sikh religion.
“350 years ago, Guru Teg Bahadur also known as Hind-di-Chadar walked all the way to Delhi to get martyred and save the community of Kashmiri Pandits. This example is one of a kind. Freedom of human rights and freedom of religion was laid by our 9th guru. This House should unanimously give homage to 9th guru Hind-di-Chadar,” she said.
According to Justice Nanavati’s Commission of Inquiry on 1984 Anti-Sikh riots the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 31-10-1984, by her two Sikh security guards led to violent attacks on Sikhs and their properties in Delhi and other parts of the country. SAD MP also demanded that a Women’s reservation bill should be passed as there is a need to increase women’s representation in Parliament.
Initiating the discussion on the ‘Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – achievements, experiences, memories and learnings’ in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister also referred to the Parliament shifting to the new building on Tuesday and said “bidding goodbye to this building is an emotional moment”. The Special Session of Parliament began on Monday and will continue till Friday. (ANI)
