This is one place where Sajjan Kumar, Congress candidate in Outer Delhi, won’t come to seek votes. This is the colony of the widows of 1984 riots in Tilak Vihar. Ironically, it’s a part of Outer Delhi constituency.
Ever since Sajjan’s name was announced, Prem Kaur has been wondering why. She lost her husband and son in the riots and can’t decide whether she cares at all after so many years. This changes to fear, and then a flash of anger.
‘‘It’s wrong he got a ticket. How can he be given a ticket?’’ she asks. But her sense of insignificance returns almost instantly. ‘‘What can one person do! I gave my statement against Sajjan Kumar in court,’’ she says, adding, ‘‘Nothing matters. What can one person like me do, what can I say?’’
Prem Kaur’s appeal is pending in Delhi High Court after Kumar was acquitted of all charges. But years have passed since Prem, who works as a peon, stepped into court. The last time was to depose before the Misra Commission. She’s tired.
But the anger against Sajjan Kumar is very strong here. Surjan Singh, who lost his brother during the riots, says Sajjan won’t dare to visit the colony.
More than 26 victims who live in Tilak Vihar and the surrounding areas have given statements before the ongoing inquiry by Nanavati Commission against Kumar. On the basis of their statements, notices under Section 8B have been issued to him.
Anwar Kaur, who too had filed a case against Kumar and now has an appeal pending, doesn’t want to talk at all. Another victim, Vidya Devi, too clams up. ‘‘Nothing has happened in 20 years, what will happen now,’’ she asks.
No family here has remained untouched by 1984. The memories of the gory scenes in Sultanpuri, Nangloi, Trilokpuri and Mongolpuri are still fresh. Now they can only state the obvious: they won’t vote for the Congress. But they know they have already been written off.
THIS IS A DISGRACE
It is outrageous for the Congress to give tickets to Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler. Then what is the difference between the Congress and the BJP? They are both communal and this is a communal issue. Why could the Congress not wait for the Nanavati Commission to clear their names? I find it resentful that Sikh opinion is being so disregarded
PATWANT SINGH, AUTHOR
I have my reservations regarding Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler because they have been named in a booklet called, Who Were Guilty?, and their names have not been cleared in the 1984 riots. If they were my constituents, I would have canvassed against them. It’s a disgrace
KHushWANT SINGH, AUTHOR
I cannot comment on this issue. I am no authority to comment on the party’s decision. I have been voluble about the 1984 riots in Parliament and will continue to be so — but this a decision I cannot comment on
JAGMEET SINGH BRAR, CONG MP
I was shocked when I heard Sajjan Kumar has been given a ticket. How can the Congress expect a single Sikh vote? We expected Sonia Gandhi to behave better but she has been foolish. We will be issuing public statements to condemn this
JUSTICE R.S. NARULA, RETD CJ OF PUNJAB
AND HARYANA HIGH COURT