By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to lead march alongside Sikh community members and BJP workers; Harsh Malhotra says Congress must apologise before Rahul Gandhi’s proposed political relaunch
New Delhi: The Delhi BJP will organise a symbolic protest march in West Delhi’s Sikh-dominated Hari Nagar on November 1, alongside members of the Sikh community and BJP workers, protesting against what it has described as Congress’s insensitivity towards the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre.
The march will be led by Union Minister Sardar Hardeep Singh Puri and will see the participation of thousands of Sikh citizens and BJP workers, Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra said.
Malhotra said the Sikh community wants the Congress to apologise for the killing of innocent Sikhs during the 1984 anti-Sikh violence before attempting to relaunch Rahul Gandhi politically through a rally scheduled for November 1, 2026.
Recalling the tragic events between October 31 and November 3, 1984, Malhotra said thousands of innocent Sikhs were killed, while their homes and shops were looted and set on fire. He said the period continued to hold a particularly painful place in the history of the country and the collective memory of the Sikh community.
According to Malhotra, Sikh leaders and representatives of various community institutions have been meeting BJP leaders over the past ten days, seeking support in bringing their concerns and sentiments to public attention.
He also criticised the Congress for scheduling a major rally during the Diwali week, saying the decision had raised concerns among Delhi’s traders about potential business losses due to traffic congestion caused by vehicles arriving from outside the national capital.
Malhotra said traders had repeatedly appealed to Congress leaders to postpone the rally until after Diwali, but their requests had not been accepted.
He further pointed to the pollution-control regulations scheduled to take effect in Delhi from November 1, under which vehicles below BS-VI emission standards coming from outside the city will face entry restrictions. He expressed concern that possible enforcement-related disruptions could create further controversy around the rally.
“It is unfortunate that Congress has chosen November 1 to relaunch its failed leader, thereby hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community. It is equally indifferent to the losses that Delhi’s traders may suffer and the harm that citizens may face due to increased pollution,” Malhotra said.
He added that the decision to hold the symbolic protest march in Hari Nagar had been taken following requests from Sikh families, community members and institutions affected by the 1984 massacre.
The Delhi BJP said the march would bring together Sikh community members and party workers to highlight their demand for an apology from Congress over the 1984 killings.
