The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, May 27: Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta today handed over official government appointment letters to dependents of families affected by the 1984 Sikh riots at the Delhi Secretariat. The event was attended by Cabinet Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa, President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Shri Harmeet Singh Kalka, senior officials from the Revenue Department, and families of the victims.
The Chief Minister stated that by distributing these appointment letters, the Delhi Government has not just provided jobs, but also recognized the dignity and identity of thousands of families who had waited decades for justice. She called this step as a landmark in the journey toward justice for the victims of the 1984 Sikh riots.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, “The 1984 riots remain a dark chapter in the history of India—one that is impossible to forget. For those who lost loved ones, no compensation can ever be enough for their pain.” She further added, “The process of delivering justice to the riot victims and punishing the perpetrators truly began after Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji assumed power at the Centre.” In keeping with that decision, the Delhi government is distributing appointment letters today to guarantee these affected families a respectable living.
The Chief Minister stated, “This is not just an appointment—it is justice walking into their lives after forty years of silence and struggle. We cannot undo the past, but we can certainly improve their present.”
She added that over these four decades, the victims endured immense pain and hardship, yet no previous government truly recognized their suffering or provided meaningful assistance. “Today, as we appoint 125 individuals, with 19 already having joined their duties, it is a moment of pride for all of us. This is more than a bureaucratic decision—it is a restoration of rightful entitlements.”
The Chief Minister also spoke about the plight of Kashmiri migrant families who have remained displaced in their own country for years. “Past governments ignored their struggles for too long. Our government has resolved to offer full support, and disbursement of pending aid and grants has already begun,” she said.
She also highlighted that many families who lost loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic and those who were not provided any compensation. To address this, a special committee has been formed to identify such cases and provide financial support.
Additionally, the Chief Minister recalled the contributions of those who were imprisoned during the Emergency for standing up in defense of democracy. “These individuals were never honored . Our government has now decided that such democracy defenders will receive the same respect as they do in other states.”
She emphasized that the Delhi Government views the contributions of the Sikh community with the highest regard. “This appointment process has been carried out with complete transparency,” she said. Extending her best wishes to the newly appointed individuals, she urged them to serve with honesty and dedication, and to become active contributors to building a ‘Viksit Delhi’. She said, “Our government is committed to every resident of Delhi. These appointments are evidence of our accountability and compassion toward the victims. The Delhi Government stands with every community in the spirit of justice and equality.”
Cabinet Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “This moment is deeply personal—not just as a minister, but as a member of a Sikh family that has endured this pain, this wait, this hope. I proudly say today that this government has finally delivered what should have been theirs decades ago.” He added that this historic decision is a strong rebuke to the apathy of previous governments, who failed to act despite repeated appeals from the victims. “This appointment is historic in itself, as the Delhi Government has even relaxed eligibility conditions to ensure justice is served. Today’s process proves beyond doubt that while justice may be delayed, it is not always denied—it arrives, and it arrives with dignity.” Sirsa further stated, “What the previous governments couldn’t achieve in ten years, our government has accomplished in just 100 days. While earlier regimes tried to protect the accused of 1984, the Rekha Government has given appointment letters to the victims. That is the true face of justice.”
Top of Form
No Comments: