Hardeep Singh Puri led a march from Hari Nagar to Tilak Nagar, joined by senior BJP figures and Sikh community representatives.
March Route and Participants
The BJP held a march in West Delhi on November 1, calling for an apology from Congress over the 1984 anti-Sikh violence. The procession began at Hari Nagar bus depot and moved towards Tilak Nagar Metro Station. Party workers and members of the Sikh community joined the demonstration.
The march took place on the same day as the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, which was focused on alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
Hardeep Singh Puri Leads the March
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri led the procession with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, BJP state president Harsh Malhotra and other party representatives. Senior advocate H.S. Phoolka and Sikh community members were also among the participants.
Placards, flags and slogans formed part of the demonstration, which called on Congress to apologise for the violence.
Puri Cites Delhi Death Toll
Puri described the 1984 events as a planned massacre rather than spontaneous unrest. Referring to figures for Delhi, he said 2,733 people had been killed and argued that victims and their families should continue to receive recognition and justice.
The figure was cited by Puri during the march.
Apology Is the Main Demand
BJP representatives said Congress should apologise for the killings of Sikhs in 1984. They argued that holding a major political rally on November 1 was insensitive because the date is associated with the violence that followed Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
Gupta Shares a Personal Recollection
Gupta recalled that a Sikh neighbour had taken shelter at her parents’ home during the period of violence. She also spoke about the fear experienced by Sikh families and accounts of people changing their appearance to avoid being identified.
Her recollection formed part of the march’s focus on the experiences of survivors and their families.
Congress Response Awaited
The BJP said the march was intended to remember those affected by the 1984 violence and renew the demand for an apology. The source report noted that a response from Congress to the specific allegations was awaited at the time of publica