By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi 

Union Home Minister says Modi government reopened riot cases, provided ₹5 lakh compensation to victims; vows to make Chandigarh India’s top administrative unit

CHANDIGARH: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and Rahul Gandhi over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, accusing the party of hurting the sentiments of victims by organising a rally in Delhi on November 1, the anniversary of the massacre.

Addressing a gathering in Chandigarh, Shah recalled the killing of thousands of Sikhs during the riots and referred to the controversial remark made by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, “When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.”

He alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s decision to organise a rally on the anniversary of the violence amounted to adding to the suffering of the victims and their families. Shah said the BJP and Sikh community had appealed to the Congress not to organise protests or demonstrations on November 1, 2 and 3, given their association with the anti-Sikh riots.

Taking aim at Rahul Gandhi’s slogan of ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukaan’, Shah said the Congress leader’s actions contradicted the message of love. He also criticised the Opposition for disrupting Parliament and holding what he described as a mock Parliament.

Shah said the Modi government had reopened cases against those involved in the 1984 riots, provided financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to each victim and ensured that prominent Congress leaders involved in the violence were sent to jail. He asserted that India would never witness such politically sponsored violence again.

Shah targets Congress over Parliament disruptions

The Home Minister accused the Congress and INDI alliance leaders of obstructing parliamentary proceedings and spreading negativity. He alleged that disruptions were preventing the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women.

Shah asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was committed to ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women and said it remained a firm resolve of the government.

He also referred to the Congress’s electoral performance in Delhi, claiming that the party had failed to open its account in the last three elections and predicting a similar outcome in the next three. He said traders in Delhi had raised concerns that the rally could cause substantial business losses, but the organisers went ahead with it.

Modi government’s development agenda highlighted

Highlighting the Centre’s development initiatives, Shah said India was progressing rapidly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

He cited the abrogation of Article 370, the elimination of Naxalism and the abolition of Triple Talaq among the government’s major decisions. He also reiterated the commitment to make the entire country, including Punjab, drug-free by December 31, 2029.

Shah said infrastructure projects worth ₹11 lakh crore were underway across the country. He highlighted the expansion of basic amenities, including electricity, toilets, bank accounts and free foodgrains for poor households.

He also referred to improvements in national infrastructure, education and innovation, including the implementation of the New Education Policy.

₹258-crore projects unveiled in Chandigarh

Turning to Chandigarh’s development, Shah described the city as India’s leading example of planned urban development, referring to its journey from 1966 to 2026.

He said the BJP government, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, would work towards making Chandigarh the country’s number one administrative unit.

Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various projects of the Chandigarh Administration worth ₹258 crore. Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.

The projects cover education, healthcare, justice, administration, research and innovation.

Among the key initiatives, the ₹68-crore CTU Bus Depot was inaugurated. Residential quarters for police personnel, also constructed at a cost of ₹68 crore, were another major highlight.

Shah said the government aimed to make Chandigarh Police number one in the country in residential satisfaction by 2029.

He also noted that November 1 marked the establishment of Chandigarh Police and its receipt of the President’s Colour, describing the occasion as significant for the city.

Focus on Punjab and the 2029 elections

Shah said the country was closely watching the performance of political parties on national security, development, innovation and economic growth.

He also referred to the forthcoming political contest in Punjab and called for the formation of an NDA government in the state.

Reiterating the Centre’s development agenda, Shah said the government would continue working towards infrastructure expansion, social welfare, women’s empowerment and a drug-free India.