The 1984 anti-Sikh riots remain an indelible stain on Indias history. In the days following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, widespread violence engulfed the nation, particularly in Delhi, leaving thousands of Sikhs dead, homes and families destroyed, and countless lives shattered. Four decades later, the quest for justice continues to haunt the survivors and the families of the victims, however the government is taking steps to address the grievances of the survivors.

On November 22, Delhis Lieutenant Governor (LG) V.K. Saxena took a significant step towards addressing the long-overdue promises made to the survivors. At an event in Tilak Vihar, 47 survivors were handed appointment letters, symbolizing a much-delayed acknowledgment of their suffering. The LG also announced plans to expedite the verification of 437 pending applications, assuring their clearance soon. 

For these families, this is not just a job but a symbol of a new beginning in their lives and restoration of self-respect. It is satisfying to provide appointment offer letters to these victims today after a delay of 40 years due to government neglect the LG wrote on X.

This marks the first concrete action on job promises for the riot victims in nearly 40 years, an initiative welcomed by many but also raising questions about the prolonged government inaction.

The move also comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly Polls, scheduled for some time in early 2025, and was welcomed by the ruling BJP. This has led to questions being raised about political incentive behind the decision.

The Governor also announced that the name of Tilak Vihar Colony in West Delhi would also be changed. Tilak Vihar, often referred to as the Widow Colony, stands as a grim reminder of the carnage of 1984. Once a thriving middle-class Sikh neighborhood, it transformed into a settlement of widows and orphans.

“It was also announced that the name of Tilak Vihar Colony in West Delhi, which is also called Widow Colony due to the riots, will be changed as per the wishes of the local people. The pain of losing loved ones in this horrific incident can never be reduced, but those wounds can certainly be healed by sympathy and compassion towards the victims” wrote the Governor on X.

While the LGs announcement of renaming the colony is a symbolic gesture, it cannot erase the deep scars borne by its residents. Survivors lament that the pain of losing loved ones in a state-sponsored pogrom cannot be alleviated with jobs alone; justice and accountability are paramount.

Efforts to rehabilitate survivors began shortly after the riots but were marred by inefficiency and neglect. Compensation packages, initially meager, were gradually increased over decades. In 2014, the Central government announced 5 lakh as compensation for the next of kin of those killed. Despite this, many survivors remain dissatisfied, citing the governments failure to deliver on promises of jobs and adequate support.

The Role of Advocacy

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has played a pivotal role in advocating for the survivors. From organizing protests to mediating the verification process for employment, the DSGMCs relentless efforts have brought the plight of the victims to the fore. Their campaign gained traction in 2006, following the Nanavati Commissions controversial report, which exonerated many accused Congress leaders. Despite this, the DSGMC continued to push for justice and rehabilitation.

Accountability and Legal Battles

The legal pursuit of justice for the 1984 riots has been fraught with challenges. The conviction ofSajjan Kumarin 2018 marked a significant milestone, but it remains an exception in a long list of unpunished crimes. Another Congress leader, Jagdish Tytler, faces trial for multiple charges, including murder and incitement to violence. However, delays in investigations andinsufficient evidencehave plagued the judicial process, leaving many survivors skeptical of the systems ability to deliver justice.

Human rights organizations, including the Peoples Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) and the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), have documented the systematic nature of the violence, attributing it to deliberate acts of omission and commission by political leaders and law enforcement. Despite these revelations, the journey to accountability has been slow and arduous.

While the distribution of jobs to survivors is a positive step, critics argue that it is merely a fragment of what is needed to address the injustices of 1984. Survivors and activists continue to demand accountability for those who orchestrated and executed the violence. Without this, initiatives like job appointments risk being seen as token gestures rather than meaningful reparations.