In December 2018, the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh took charge with senior Congress leader Kamal Nath as Chief Minister. Back then, many had condemned the Congress’ decision of giving the post to a man accused of inciting and effecting violence against Sikhs during the 1984 genocide.
Now, it seems, the fears of many have come true, as there are reports of mass violence against Sikhs in Madhya Pradesh, specifically in the Karhal Tehsil of Sheopur district. The allegations are directly implicating the local administration and government, who, according to reports are not only turning a blind eye to the plight of Sikhs but also playing a major role in their harassment.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa, President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) in a press interaction revealed that they have been receiving reports that the perpetrators are been given police protection and they are openly raising slogans to expel the Sikhs from these villages and usurp their properties.
He further added that these people are also raising slogans that “whosoever will support Sikhs will be given beating with shoes”, “throw out Sikhs from Karhal”, etc. They were also threatened to meet the “same fate of the 1984 genocide” and that many people have been repeatedly making such statements from their gatherings.
Meanwhile, the Sikhs are majorly involved in agriculture in the area, who had come and settled approximately three decades ago and had turned the uncultivable land into one which can bear crops comfortably. The DSGMC has sought immediate intervention from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The local Sikh committees and the Punjab Kisan Union have asked for an apology from Kamal Nath and sought protection for the community. Further, they have demanded that all losses to the properties of Sikhs are borne by the state government. A delegation of DSGMC will be visiting the state soon as well.
Kamal Nath is a known Sikh hater. The SIT constituted by the Modi government to bring justice to the 1984 victims had reopened the case against Kamal Nath in September last year. During the 1984 anti-Sikh carnage, Kamal Nath was present at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj while it was under siege by the Congress’ bloodthirsty goons. Two Sikhs were killed at the spot back then. Kamal Nath’s presence at Rakab Ganj proved that the violence against Sikhs had political complacency, and it was also the first and single biggest indictment of the Congress’ involvement in the same. For Sikhs to be harassed in Madhya Pradesh now, and be treated as lesser beings by the state administration only proves that Kamal Nath and the Congress have not been able to cure their antipathy towards the Sikhs.
Succumbing to growing pressure, the administration has been allegedly instructed to ensure that no injustice is carried out against Sikhs. Bit ironic here of Kamal Nath to be seen ensuring justice for Sikhs, while he allegedly perpetrated mass violence against them thirty-six years ago.
