SGPC honours 1984 riot case witnesses; Phoolka skips event

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 27

Prime witness and victim of 1984 anti-Sikh riots Bibi Jagdish Kaur, who was instrumental in conviction of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, demanded registration of case against former PM Rajiv Gandhi and withdrawal of Bharat Ratna title bestowed upon him.

She said this during the programme organised by the SGPC to honour witnesses and lawyers to recognise their contribution in bringing justice to the victims at Teja Singh Samundri Hall here on January 26.

“It is partial justice as the fight is still on to nab others who were involved in instigating the organised mob which killed the Sikhs in 1984,” she added.

The witnesses who were honoured included Bibi Narpreet Kaur, Jagsher Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Santokh Singh, Sangat Singh and Surjit Singh. Among the lawyers, HS Phoolka could not come, but one of his relatives accepted the honour on his behalf. The others were RS Cheema, DP Singh, Bibi Taranum Cheema, Gurbaksh Singh, Jaswinder Singh and Bibi Kamna Vohra.

The SGPC presented them a siropa (robe of honour), Sri Sahib (religious symbol), a silver plate and silver coin in the presence of SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Longowal said the SGPC would always show its solidarity with the victims and their families till full justice prevailed.

Sukhbir alleged that it was a well-planned conspiracy designed by the then Congress government headed by none other than Rajiv Gandhi, who should be booked.

“After 34 years, Sajjan Kumar was awarded life term, but Jagdish Tytler and others are still to be punished. The SGPC’s honour for witnesses and lawyers is on the behalf of the whole Sikh community,” he added.