1984 Riot Survivors Recall Horror and Weigh Justice After Sajjan Kumar’s Death

The passing of former Congress Member of Parliament Sajjan Kumar on Thursday, August 20, 2026, has stirred painful memories for survivors and eyewitnesses of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. For many who witnessed the bloodshed more than four decades ago, Kumar’s demise brought both a sense of relief and enduring grief over the extent of accountability achieved.

What Happened

Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress MP who was convicted by the Delhi High Court in 2018 in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, has passed away. His death prompted Delhi residents who lived through the events of late 1984 to recount the violence they witnessed across the capital.

Harpal Singh, now a 60-year-old driver who was 15 at the time, recalled arriving in Delhi from Amritsar shortly before the attacks began. Living in Lajpat Nagar, he escaped assault because he did not wear a turban or have a beard, while his relatives hid in a dark alley room. He witnessed mobs placing burning rubber tyres around the necks of Sikh men. While he expressed relief at Kumar’s passing, he stated that the former MP should have received the death sentence.

Another witness, Anand Banerjee, recounted the outbreak of attacks in Kidwai Nagar near the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, following the death of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. Banerjee described the destruction of a local general store, the burning of a neighbourhood gurdwara, and the torching of two buses parked outside a market that left people dead and injured. He also observed Sikh colleagues cutting their hair and removing turbans to avoid identification.

Jagdish Kaur, whose testimony and appeal were instrumental in Kumar’s 2018 conviction, recalled the killings in Palam’s Raj Nagar on November 1, 1984. Her husband Kehar Singh, an Army gun-fitter, was beaten to death inside their home, while her 18-year-old son Gurpeet Singh was caught by a mob and burnt alive. She stated that Kumar incited mobs at a police station and was accompanied by the local Station House Officer, whose role was never held to account despite Kumar’s eventual imprisonment. Kaur stated that her First Information Report was registered only on November 3, after the bodies of her family members had remained in the house for three days, and noted that attempts were later made to settle the case with monetary and property offers.

Key Highlights

• Convicted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar died on August 20, 2026.
• Survivors from areas including Lajpat Nagar, Kidwai Nagar, and Palam recounted traumatic experiences from the 1984 violence.
• Eyewitness Harpal Singh described the mob killings and expressed that Kumar should have received the death penalty.
• Jagdish Kaur, a key witness behind Kumar’s 2018 conviction, highlighted the complicity of local police officials who went unquestioned.
• Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Harmeet Singh Kalka described the community’s reaction as a mixture of relief and anguish.

Why This Matters

The reactions illustrate the deep personal and communal impact of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots decades after the events occurred. As expressed by Harmeet Singh Kalka, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, the death of a prominent convict brought relief that an accused figure was no longer alive, alongside grief that he did not face the ultimate penalty. For key witnesses like Jagdish Kaur, the event also highlighted unresolved questions regarding the accountability of law enforcement personnel who assisted or stood by during the mobs’ attacks.

What to Watch Next

With Sajjan Kumar’s passing, legal proceedings involving his direct conviction have concluded. However, accounts from key survivors indicate continued public discussion regarding broader accountability for other individuals, including police officials named in eyewitness testimonies from the period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Sajjan Kumar?

Sajjan Kumar was a former Congress Member of Parliament who was convicted in 2018 by the Delhi High Court for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

How did survivors respond to the news of his death?

Survivors reported mixed feelings. While some expressed a degree of relief and closure, others voiced anguish that he did not receive a death sentence or that institutional accomplices, such as complicit police officers, were never held accountable.

What role did Jagdish Kaur play in Sajjan Kumar’s conviction?

Jagdish Kaur lost her husband, son, and a cousin during the 1984 violence in Palam. Her eyewitness testimony and legal appeal formed the foundation of the Delhi High Court case that led to Kumar’s conviction in 2018.

Source: Reported by The Hindu.