Punjab raises 1984 riots issue, 'failure' to punish guilty

Raising the issue of 1984 anti- Sikh riots, Punjab government today urged the National Integration Council to work towards addressing the "failures" in the system to ensure that the guilty are punished in the aftermath of communal violence.
Representing Punjab at the meeting here today, Punjab's Information & Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said that "failure" to punish those guilty of the 1984 massacre of Sikhs in the national capital and "rewarding killers" with high offices was not the best way to promote peace, harmony and national integration.
He said the failure of the system to deliver justice even after 30 long years has caused deep resentment and led to a dangerous alienation. The biggest confidence-building measure is to ensure justice in aftermath of communal violence.

Majithia said such issues needed to be addressed with utmost seriousness by the National Integration Council which by its very definition was the perfect forum to bring about emotional integration of people by assuaging their hurt sentiments.
Underlining the need to create an atmosphere in which people have faith in sincerity, sensitivity and impartiality of political leaders, he emphasised the need for sagacious leadership and an effective police force.
He said the political leadership has to rise above narrow vote bank politics and to be representative of all communities and guard against alignment with sectarian forces.

Majithia said that in the last two years, hundreds of people have been killed in communal clashes and thousands injured in almost 20 states, but no incident of communal violence had been recorded in Punjab.

"Constant vigil being kept by us to ensure communal harmony is maintained at all costs," he said.
Majithia said sincerity, sensitivity and impartiality of political leaders went a long way in building public morale and confidence.
Presenting NCRB statistics, he said Punjab accounts for only 1.33 per cent of the total incidents of crime against women reported in the country.
Reiterating the state government's priority for safety and security of women, he listed out various steps initiated to ensure quick trial of crimes against women.
He also pointed out that Punjab has the highest percentage (32 pc) of scheduled caste population and the state had initiated a number of measures for the welfare too.

The Minister said social media has a tremendous capacity to play a positive role and governments must encourage citizens, specially the youth, to use it for promoting national integration and tackling hate propaganda.
Majithia said he was quite hopeful that just like the rape and murder of a young woman in Delhi forced the nation to rise and change the law to ensure better security for women, the Muzzafarnagar violence would become a catalyst for communal harmony, peace and all round development of the country.