'SIT probing 1984 Sikh riots set to open Pandora's box before Punjab polls

SIT has decided to reopen as many as 75 cases

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It is widely believed that  many cases involving senior politicians from the India's oldest political party were buried despite having incriminating evidence against them in the infamous 1984 anti-Sikh riots that witnessed killing of over 3,000 people in the national capital. Now if the Special Investigation Team set up by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance government in February last year manages to file charge sheet against the high profile accused, the ruling party may be able to turn the political tide against its opponents barely before the Punjab assembly elections in 2017.

"It will become a big election issue if some high profile accused are named and prosecuted in the '84 anti-Sikh riot case," said Naresh Gujral, leader of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) which is currently ruling in Punjab.

"We welcome this step as after 32 years there is some hope of justice. Cases against high profile accused were closed down despite evidence against them. This step was long overdue," he added.

Gujral's party, which is ruling the state in alliance with the BJP, is faced with strong anti-incumbency and issues such as drug trafficking and corruption. Its difficulties have increased with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) joining the election fray making it a triangular fight among the Congress, the AAP and the SAD-BJP alliance for the first time.

It is no hidden secret that AAP has emerged as a formidable challenger to both the traditional parties and it has been raising right political noises about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. In fact it was the Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal who had first appointed a committee to probe these riots during his first tenure. Last week Kejriwal wrote a letter asking the Union Home Ministry to wind up the SIT appointed by the latter. Delhi chief minister said the SIT appointed by the Centre has failed to submit it report within the stipulated time frame of six months.

"Since the incident took place in New Delhi, Delhi government should be allowed to set up its own SIT. We will complete the probe within six months and prosecute the guilty," said Kanwar Sandhu, a journalist-turned AAP leader.

"This announcement of reopening of more cases is an eyewash. The BJP is shedding crocodile tears," he alleged.

According to a newspaper report, of the 587 cases, the Delhi Police had closed down 241 cases due to want of evidence.  Thus far 35 people have been convicted in some of the cases.

A professor in Panjab University said though the 84 riots or the operation Bluestar no more evoke sentiments during the elections, the BJP at the Centre doesn’t want to repeat the Congress story of failing to provide justice to victims

"The BJP cannot afford to be seen as a party which also denied justice to Sikhs. It has been promising justice to Sikh community from very long," the person said but refused to be quoted for the story.

The BJP has tried to cash on the riots issue since it came to power by announcing the SIT and increased compensation for the victims just before the Delhi assembly elections last year. But this disnt prevent its defeat from AAP in the Delhi elections. The Congress was completely routed from the national capital.

The political analyst said the Congress decision to appoint former union minister Kamal Nath as it’s in charge of Punjab elections will give further ammunition to both AAP and the BJP. Though Nath has not been prosecuted in the court, he was accused of perpetrating violence after the killing of India's former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.