In a landmark step toward delivering long-pending justice, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, alongside Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, on Tuesday distributed government job appointment letters to the family members of victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The ceremony, held in the national capital, saw 19 individuals receiving their appointment letters. The initiative aims to provide employment to a total of 125 riot-affected individuals as part of the government's efforts to rehabilitate families impacted by the communal violence.
“Under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Delhi government has issued appointment letters to 125 individuals belonging to families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Our government remains committed to delivering justice to these families,” said Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during the distribution ceremony.
Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of riot victims, called the event “historic” and criticised past governments for their inaction.
“Today marks a historic moment as our government has provided jobs to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Congress governments in the past failed to deliver justice. Prime Minister Modi had promised to support these families, and we are now fulfilling that promise. More than 600 jobs are still pending, and we have already started the process of allocating them,” Sirsa said.
The recipients of the appointments expressed a range of emotions—from gratitude to lingering sorrow over the delay. Jaswinder Singh, one of the beneficiaries, voiced bittersweet sentiments: “I’m not truly happy. I’m receiving this job letter at the age of 46. It’s too late to celebrate. Still, I appreciate the government’s support.”
Manjeet Singh, another recipient, expressed his thankfulness: “I am very happy. This government is thinking about us. It means a lot.” However, for some, the delay overshadowed the gesture. “To be honest, I don’t feel any happiness. It’s too late for joy,” said another beneficiary, highlighting the emotional toll of waiting for decades. Atma Singh, chairman of the 1984 Genocide Victims Committee, welcomed the move but raised concerns over the implementation.
“Previous governments ignored our pleas for years. I had to file a petition, which I eventually won. Earlier, 22 individuals were given jobs; today, 19 more have been appointed. But many of them are around 60 years old. We requested that the jobs be passed on to their sons or grandsons, but the government has not agreed to this. We’ve appealed to the Delhi Chief Minister to reconsider,” Singh said.
This initiative follows a similar effort by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who in November 2024 distributed appointment letters to 47 survivors of the 1984 riots. These efforts are part of a larger plan to acknowledge and support families who endured one of the darkest chapters in India’s post-Independence history. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots erupted after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, leading to the deaths of thousands and leaving entire communities devastated. The current steps by the Delhi government aim to provide a measure of restitution and closure to those who have waited decades for justice.
In a related announcement, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also revealed that the Delhi government will begin disbursing pensions to individuals who resisted the Emergency of 1975–77, marking a continued commitment to supporting victims of historical injustices.
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