M A I L B A G

PM’s apology an act of statesmanship

I endorse the views in the editorial, “PM applies balm: Rare apology for 1984 riots” (Aug 12). A great visionary has shown a lot of magnanimity and grace by apologising to the Sikh community and the nation for the ’84 anti-Sikh riots.

It has heightened the stature of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his government. It is an act of statesmanship. The editorial rightly observes: “Till those behind the riots pay for their horrendous crime, the victims of the 1984 violence will remain only an aggrieved lot”. The government should ensure that at least one member of each of the riot affected and terrorism affected families gets government job. Such families should also be provided a modest two-room dwelling unit.

The Centre and the states should reserve at least 3 per cent appointments for such people. With a view to providing a permanent administrative mechanism to monitor the progress of their dignified rehabilitation, an administrative wing should be created in the state secretariats.

MANJIT SINGH, Chandigarh

II

The Prime Minister feels ashamed that injustice has been done to the victims of ’84 riots, but he is so helpless that he is unable to take action against those involved in the carnage. This only reflects that Dr Manmohan Singh is just a titular head.

Gone are the days when parliamentarians and ministers used to own moral responsibility of any incident and resign voluntarily. The Congress should not forget that justice delayed is justice denied. The victims of the riots are still waiting for justice. This is a golden opportunity for the Congress to demonstrate before the nation that it is not a party of corrupt conglomerates.

SIDDHARTH SINGH, Noida (UP)

III

We seem to witness the downward slide of the Sikh character, though there is no dearth of honest and true Gursikhs. The major reason for this is the double standard of the Sikh representatives who have abrogated their religion and have limited their goal to attaining money, power and prestige. They cry hoarse about the Sikh concept of interdependence of religion and politics but conveniently forget that religion is the steering wheel of politics without which the goal is often lost.

It is probably a solace to the mind that major political parties came to sympathise with the Sikhs. Even the Press left no stone unturned to assuage the hurt feelings of the Sikhs by making a major impact in turning the public opinion in its favour.

The Sikhs are probably not against the Akali-BJP combine, but have the Akalis become so hollow that they hesitate to raise a voice against the Gujarat riots? It is probably this dual character of the Sikh leaders which has become the reason of the decline of Sikhism.

JASPREET KAUR, Amritsar

IV

The ’84 riots was a blot on our society and the world’s largest democracy, governed by rule of law and a dynamic Constitution. One cannot rule out the possibility of this carnage without the tacit approval of the Delhi Congress leaders and the police. The answer lies in prosecuting those involved in this massacre. Clearly, the Congress cannot be absolved of blame.

M.S. THAKUR, Chandigarh

V

The Action Taken Report on the Justice Nanavati Commission report has disappointed all right-thinking people having regard for rule of law and human values. Instead of applying balm, it has sprinkled salt in the deep wounds of the survivors of the pogrom victims.

The commission has indicted some senior Congress leaders and come down heavily on the police. The government is brazenly protecting them. Ignoring the commission’s remarks that there is “credible evidence” about Jagdish Tytler’s involvement, it has used the expression “very probably” as a subterfuge to shield him. Similarly, despite evidence about H.K.L. Bhagat’s involvement, the commission has spared him in view of his “mental and physical condition”.

BHAGWAN SINGH, Qadian

VI

Since Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar have resigned from their jobs, the Congress should expel them from the primary membership of the party. The Centre should initiate a thorough, time-bound and impartial probe against them. Their passports should also be impounded.

IQBAL SINGH SAROYA, Mohali

VII

Since successive commissions have not brought out any significant change in the perception and life of the ’84 riot victims nor the guilty brought to book, the very concept of commission has lost its meaning and purpose. The whole exercise is simply a waste of money, time and energy.

It is rightly said that justice delayed is justice denied. Such reports may be required to decorate the government archives and libraries, but won’t help the victims. This is a sad reflection on the system. It is the Centre’s responsibility to protect the life and property of the people. Sadly, it has failed miserably in taking timely action against the rioters.

RAVI SHARMA, Jammu