42 Years Later, Revisiting the Trauma of the Sikh Massacre: BJP to Organise ‘Zakhm 84 De’ Conclave in Chandigarh Today (November 4)
➖ Conclave to Focus on Uncovering the Truth Behind the 1984 Sikh Massacre, Four Decades of Legal Battle and Rehabilitation of Victims
CHANDIGARH, NOVEMBER 3:The Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will organise a one-day conclave titled ‘Zakhm 84 De’ on November 4, 2026, to bring the truth and painful memories of the 1984 Sikh massacre before the younger generation, 42 years after the tragedy. The conclave will also deliberate on the four-decade-long legal battle for justice for the affected families and efforts towards their rehabilitation. The event will be held from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Hotel Parkview, Sector 24, Chandigarh.
According to a press statement issued by Conclave In-charge and Party’s State General Secretary Rajneesh Dhiman, along with State Media Head and Programme Coordinator Vineet Joshi., the conclave will bring together survivors of the 1984 massacre, eyewitnesses, legal experts, former judges, community representatives and political leaders. The primary objective is to present the facts surrounding the massacre before the younger generation, share experiences from the prolonged struggle for justice and discuss initiatives undertaken for the rehabilitation of victim families.
According to the party, registration and breakfast will begin at 8:30 AM, followed by the inauguration of a special photographic exhibition on the 1984 Sikh massacre at 9:30 AM. Punjab BJP President Sardar Kewal Singh Dhillon and Punjab BJP In-charge Dr. Satish Poonia will jointly inaugurate the exhibition. It will showcase incidents, evidence, and the immense human suffering caused by the massacre. The proceedings of the entire conclave will be moderated by BJP National Spokesperson Sardar R.P. Singh.
Details of the Various Sessions
➖Session 1: Inaugural Session (10:00 AM to 11:00 AM)
The conclave will begin with an Ardas for justice and eternal peace for the departed souls. This will be followed by the inaugural address by Punjab BJP State President Sardar Kewal Singh Dhillon. Former Union Minister and Lok Sabha MP Ravi Shankar Prasad will deliver the keynote address. He had represented the victims of the 1984 massacre in several significant legal proceedings before the Supreme Court.
➖Session 2: ‘Sikh Genocide: When and How?’ (11:00 AM to 12:30 PM)
This session will feature first-hand accounts and experiences of survivors and eyewitnesses of the massacre. Participants will include Sardarni Nirpreet Kaur, a key witness in the case that led to the conviction of Sajjan Kumar; Sardar Jangsher Singh; Sardarni Darshan Kaur; Sardarni Satpal Kaur, a survivor-witness from Alwar; and Bibi Jagdish Kaur, who will join the session through a video address.
Session 3: ‘Was the 1984 Sikh Genocide a Conspiracy?’ (12:30 PM to 1:30 PM)
This session will examine aspects of alleged complicity at the government level and the larger conspiracy behind the massacre. Sardar Tarlochan Singh, former Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities and an eyewitness, will participate online.
Other participants will include Member of Parliament Sardar Vikramjit Singh Sahney, who lost five members of his family in the massacre; G.B.S. Sidhu, former senior RAW officer and author, who will contribute through a special video presentation; and Sardar Atma Singh Lubana, Vice President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.
➖Session 4: ‘Murder of Justice’ (2:00 PM to 3:15 PM)
This session will discuss alleged irregularities in the investigation of massacre cases, tampering with evidence, investigative shortcomings and institutional obstacles that hindered the pursuit of justice.
The discussion will feature Justice S.N. Dhingra (Retd.), who headed the two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Supreme Court in 2018 to reinvestigate the 1984 cases that had earlier been closed.
Senior Advocate H.S. Phoolka, who spearheaded the prolonged legal battle to secure convictions against the perpetrators, and Advocate Ashok Kashyap, who played a significant role in the Justice Nanavati Commission constituted during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, will also share their perspectives.
➖ Session 5: ‘Efforts to Punish the Guilty’ (3:15 PM to 4:00 PM)
This session will highlight significant legal proceedings, breakthroughs in securing convictions against those responsible for the 1984 massacre and efforts undertaken to provide assistance to the victims.
The session will feature Delhi Government Cabinet Minister and former President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa, along with Senior Advocate H.S. Phoolka.
➖ Session 6: Concluding Session – ‘Rehabilitation Efforts by BJP Governments’ (4:00 PM to 5:00 PM)
The concluding session will review welfare initiatives, relief schemes and measures undertaken by BJP-led governments for the welfare of families affected by the 1984 massacre and to help restore their dignity.
The session will be attended by Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Punjab BJP In-charge Dr. Satish Poonia, Punjab BJP State President Sardar Kewal Singh Dhillon and Member of Parliament Sardar Vikramjit Singh Sahney.
A large number of senior BJP leaders, Sikh scholars, civil liberties activists and family members of the victims of the 1984 massacre from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are expected to participate in the conclave.
==========================================
High Court Contempt Notice Exposes AAP’s Anti-Employee Mindset: Shwait Malik
Chandigarh, November 3-Former Punjab BJP president Shwait Malik today launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government after the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a contempt notice to Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha over non-payment of Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears to government employees and pensioners.
Terming the court’s stricture a severe indictment of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's governance, Malik said that despite previous fines of ₹1 lakh and repeated rebukes from the High Court, the ruling dispensation continues to brazenly evade its statutory obligations.
"It is shameful that Punjab's administrative machinery has been forced into court with contempt notices simply because the Mann government stubbornly refuses to release the legitimate earnings of over six lakh employees and pensioners," Shwait Malik remarked.
He added, "While AAP splurges hundreds of crores of public money on deceptive nationwide advertisements and luxury chartered flights, the hard-working workforce that runs this state is left begging for their lawful dues."
Malik pointed out that while the state government acknowledged liabilities exceeding ₹22,800 crore, it is desperately seeking technical pretexts and threatening appeals rather than clearing arrears with 6% interest as directed by the court.
"The BJP stands firmly with Punjab’s government employees and pensioners," Malik asserted, demanding that the Mann regime discard its confrontational stance, comply unconditionally with the High Court’s 10-day directive, and release the pending DA installments without further delay.
==========================================
Congress central leadership coming to Punjab to unite its squabbling state leaders, not to speak for Punjab’s interests: Sunil Jakhar
- Asks how Congress can end drug menace when two of its former PCC chiefs have been linked to drugs
- If SIR was faulty, why did Punjab Congress not protest even once during the exercise?
- Congress has failed to produce a single eligible voter in Punjab whose name was struck off rolls wrongly.
- Congress leaders themselves embroiled in corruption and accused of patronising gangsters
Chandigarh, November 3-Reacting to Congress President Sh. Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Sh. Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Punjab, former Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar said Congress has been missing as an opposition party for four years and nine months. Now, with elections approaching, its leaders have emerged only to trade in votes and shed crocodile tears for Punjab.
Jakhar said drugs, gangsterism and corruption are Punjab’s most pressing issues, yet Congress leaders themselves stand tainted by the same charges.
He said under the Aam Aadmi Party government, the drug menace and gangster terror have devastated Punjab’s youth, while Congress remained silent for almost the entire term, completely failing in its responsibility as the Opposition. Two of its former state presidents, he alleged, have been linked to drugs — one of whom had even apologised in the Assembly during Parkash Singh Badal’s tenure. Another former Minister was investigated for patronising and harbouring a dreaded gangster during Congress rule. “Can such leaders end the drug menace and rid Punjab of gangsters?” Jakhar asked.
On SIR, Jakhar said Rahul Gandhi held a rally against it in Delhi two days ago, but will now face the reality that Punjab Congress never protested even once during the entire Special Intensive Revision exercise in the state. In fact, Punjab Congress leaders congratulated the Chief Electoral Officer on smooth completion of SIR, taking the wind out of the party’s nationwide campaign against the Election Commission and proving that the central leadership has lost touch with ground realities. Till date, Congress has not brought forward a single case of an eligible voter in Punjab whose name was wrongly deleted.
Jakhar said Congress is using SIR as an excuse for its electoral defeats. Voters did not elect Congress because it does nothing in public interest, and the party alternately blames SIR and EVMs for its losses.
If the rally is against corruption, Jakhar asked, why did local Congress leaders remain silent on rampant corruption under the Bhagwant Mann government, despite the Chief Minister repeatedly daring them to look him in the eye and speak? Jakhar alleged they could not accept the challenge because they themselves are implicated — citing bus body fabrication in Rajasthan and recovery of Rs 10 crore cash from the residence of a leading CM contender of Congress.
Jakhar said Rahul Gandhi’s real purpose is to come to Punjab and warn his divided state unit to unite, as he had done in Barnala. But unity without a worthwhile common purpose has no foundation, and Congress finds itself in this situation because it has drifted away from issues that matter to the people.
=============================================
Congress is Trying to Change the Country’s Regime Through Anarchy : Krishan Pal Gurjar
Whenever Congress Attacks the Constitution, BJP Will Take to the Streets : Ashwani Sharma
BJP Holds 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' Yatra in Gurdaspur
Gurdaspur/Chandigarh: November 3-Union Minister of State and former Haryana BJP President Krishan Pal Gurjar stated that in the 79-year history of independent India, a change of power has never occurred through anarchy; it has always taken place through the public mandate delivered by the people of the country. However, the Congress and its allies want to change the regime through anarchy, something the people of India will never accept.
Mr. Gurjar was addressing Punjab BJP’s 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) padayatra in Gurdaspur. Organised in Gurdaspur today, this march commenced from the city’s old bus stand and concluded at Hanuman Chowk. A large number of party leaders and workers from Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot districts participated. Party State General Secretaries Jiwan Garg and Rajnish Dhiman, former Deputy Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Dinesh Babbu, State General Secretary Rajesh Bagha, Pathankot District President Baghel Singh, Amritsar District President Salil Kapoor, along with Amarpal Singh Bony, Rakesh Sharma, Harvinder Singh, Harjinder Singh, and Suresh Sharma were also present during the yatra.
Attacking the Constitution is a Habit of Congress
Mr. Gurjar stated that during Congress rule, the Constitution and democracy were attacked numerous times. Now, Rahul Gandhi and Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge have stooped to using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his family. He said that the words coming from a party leader's mouth reflect the character of that party. He added that the Constitution of India provides the path of elections for a change in governance, not attempts to alter governments by gathering mobs on the streets.
'Stealing Votes Runs in the Nehru-Gandhi Family Lineage'
Speaking on the occasion, former Punjab BJP State President Ashwani Sharma said, "Whenever democracy in this country is threatened, and whenever the Congress party shreds the Constitution to pieces, the BJP will take to the streets." These 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' yatras are being carried out across the country as part of the BJP's public outreach campaign to awaken citizens against the Congress’s attempt to change power through anarchy.
Ashwani Sharma remarked that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the country is emerging as a powerful global force, but Rahul Gandhi does not want to see India progress. He added that Rahul Gandhi and his allies are raising slogans of "vote theft," whereas stealing votes has historically been a tradition of their own lineage.
==============================================
Congress Must Answer for Justice in the 1984 Massacre: Kewal Singh Dhillon
Chandigarh, November 3:Reacting sharply to the Congress party’s rally scheduled to be held in Sangrur by Rahul Gandhi, Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon has cornered the Congress over the 1984 Sikh massacre. He said that while the Congress is holding ‘Insaaf Rallies’ in Sangrur, why are the Congress and Rahul Gandhi silent on the issue of justice for the victims of the 1984 massacre? Even after 42 years of the massacre, the Congress has continued to shield the perpetrators.
State President Dhillon said that Sikhs were massacred in Delhi, the national capital, as well as in various other cities across the country. Rahul Gandhi must explain why Congress leaders allegedly involved in the conspiracy behind the 1984 massacre continued to receive protection from the party. Will he clarify before the people of Punjab why strict action was not taken against such leaders in a timely manner?
He further said that the Congress remained in power in the country for a long period, yet why did it fail to ensure complete justice for the families of the victims of the 1984 massacre? Why were thousands of families forced to wander from pillar to post for decades in their quest for justice?
Kewal Singh Dhillon directly questioned Rahul Gandhi, asking whether he would acknowledge the historical and moral responsibility of his family and party for the 1984 massacre and apologise to the Sikhs of Punjab and the country.
Dhillon said that the Congress inflicted wounds 42 years ago, and on November 1, the party once again acted to reopen those wounds.
He said that the land of Punjab is not merely meant for election campaigning, but also for answering painful questions of history and demonstrating a commitment to ensuring justice for the victim families. Rahul Gandhi should not evade these questions at the Sangrur rally and must provide clear answers to the people of Punjab.
====================================
Kewal Singh Dhillon Meets BJP National President Nitin Nabin
Discussions Focus on Strengthening the Party and Preparing for Upcoming Assembly Elections
Chandigarh/New Delhi, November 3:Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon today held a meeting with BJP National President Shri Nitin Nabin at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi. The meeting focused on strengthening the party’s organisational structure in Punjab, reviewing its recent activities, and discussing future political and organisational priorities.
During the meeting, Dhillon briefed the National President on various campaigns, public programmes, outreach initiatives and efforts being undertaken by the BJP to strengthen its grassroots presence across Punjab. He also apprised him of the party’s recent programmes and initiatives aimed at bringing people from diverse sections of society into the BJP fold.
The leaders also discussed expanding the party’s organisational network across Punjab, strengthening its booth-level structure, encouraging greater participation from youth and other sections of society, and enhancing direct engagement with the public.
With the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections in focus, the meeting also deliberated on the party’s future plans and electoral strategy. Discussions further centred on intensifying the BJP’s political activities in Punjab, effectively raising public issues, and taking the party’s policies and the Central Government’s welfare schemes to every household.