1984 Sikh Genocide: Govt to Provide Rs. 200,000 in Aid to Victim Families

NEW DELHI—The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA, India) has approved re-opening of the Union Government sponsored rehabilitation scheme for 1984’s Sikh Genocide victims.  Under this scheme, around 1020 deceased families are expected to receive financial compensation worth Rs. 200,000.  Majority of these families include those who migrated to Punjab from Delhi and other states following the massacres in 1984.

MHA has taken the move following recommendations of Justice GP Mathur who had asked the Union Government to pay attention towards grievances of 1984 victim families.  The reopening of scheme is limited for six months.

Justice GP Mathur Committee was set up by the Union Government in December 2014.  “In addition to the financial benefit, skill development will generate jobs. A detailed plan is being prepared by Ministry of Skill development and Punjab government,” stated the MHA.  It is notable that in 2015, the GP Mathur Committee had also recommended a SIT for 1984 cases.

During the 1984 massacres, violent attacks were targeted at the Sikh community in different parts of the country by anti-Sikh mobs, most notably led by the members of the Congress party, in response to the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. Official Indian government reports admit to about 2800 deaths across India, including 2100 in Delhi.  Other independent sources estimates the number of deaths to be around 8,000.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, the main Indian investigating agency, believes the acts of violence were organised with the support from the then Delhi police and some central government officials.  Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister after his mother’s death and, when asked about the riots, said “when a big tree falls, the earth shakes”.

Earlier, the Aam Aadmi Party in New Delhi has given compensation packages to victim families.