After 30 long years the heart-wrenching stories of murder and mayhem are once again on the pages of newspapers. Side by side, we come across the inspiring story of unending struggle of the Sikh community to secure justice.
The first two days of 1984 will go down in Indian history as two of the darkest days of atrocities. As a violent reaction to the murder of then Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, by two Sikh bodyguards, a reign of terror was let loose in the capital of India. According to official figures, 2,773 unconnected innocent persons were killed in a ghastly manner. Even women and children were not spared. People were attacked, battered, hacked to death and even burnt alive.
Little did the frenzied rioters realise that it is illogical to victimise an entire community for the sins of a few. They forgot that we have a well-established judicial system of punishing crimes.
That carnage has left indelible scars on the Sikh psyche. In spite of strenuous efforts of human rights activists, most of the culprits went scot-free. In spite of 10 probe panels, right from Marwah Commission of 1984 to Nanavati Commission in 2000, justice still evades the victims. So cheap is human life, so easy murder and so difficult securing justice.
The enquiry commissions reports confirm that mobs indulged in violence without any fear, politicians were openly instigating the rioters and policemen were helping the criminals. FIRs were not entertained and there were open cases of shielding of erring politicians.
The recent announcement of a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each for about 5000 victims who died has failed to wipe out the tears of the aggrieved. They want justice and they deserve it.
If the governments had taken action sincerely against the perpetrators, Gujarat would not have happened. Even earlier, if Nellie massacre of 1983 had been dealt with firmly, 1984 would not have taken place.
The lesson every government and every administrator must learn from our recent history is very clear. No crime should be tolerated; no criminal should go unpunished, law and order must be maintained and nobody is above law. After all, justice is the basis on which a society is built, which preserves and protects it and which ensures its stability and continuation.
It would be relevant if the present dispensation also takes note of it, makes amends for its past mistakes and resolves to do justice, to one and all. If anyone, however high and strong, indulges in injustice, He who is MOST HIGH, MOST POWERFUL, UTMOST JUST will do justice, justice in word and deed.