Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched a strong attack on the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi over a political rally organised in Delhi on November 1, the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Shah accused the opposition party of hurting the feelings of riot victims and their families by holding a political event on a day associated with one of the darkest chapters in India’s history.
Speaking at a gathering in Chandigarh, Punjab, on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Shah recalled the violence that followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in October 1984. He said thousands of Sikhs lost their lives during the violence, while many families were left without homes, financial support and loved ones.
His remarks came as opposition leaders and supporters gathered at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi for the INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Delhi’ protest march. The opposition rally focused on alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Amit Shah Questions Congress Over Rally Date
Addressing the gathering, Shah questioned why the Congress leadership chose November 1 for its political programme despite the historical significance of the date.
He said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had previously requested the Congress to reconsider the dates of its rally. According to Shah, the BJP had raised concerns that organising a political event on November 1, 2 and 3 could hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community, particularly those who lost family members during the 1984 violence.
Shah alleged that the Congress leadership ignored these concerns and continued with its programme.
Taking a direct aim at Rahul Gandhi, the Home Minister said the Congress leader should have understood the emotional impact of the date before organising such a large political gathering.
He also referred to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s controversial remarks following the 1984 violence.
Rajiv Gandhi’s Remark Comes Under Focus Again
During his speech, Shah recalled the statement attributed to Rajiv Gandhi after the violence: “When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.”
The remark has remained controversial because of its association with the violence against Sikhs following Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
Shah said the statement reflected the insensitive approach of the Congress leadership towards the suffering of the victims. He questioned how the party could organise a major political event on the anniversary of the violence while families affected by the riots continue to remember their losses.
He further said that Rahul Gandhi may have been too young at the time of the riots or may not have fully understood their history, but added that the Congress leadership should have considered the feelings of the affected families.
Shah Highlights Modi Government’s Action for Riot Victims
The Home Minister also highlighted the steps taken by the Narendra Modi government regarding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases.
Shah claimed that after the BJP-led government came to power, several cases related to the violence were reopened and efforts were made to bring those responsible before the law.
He also said that financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh was provided to each victim’s family as part of the government’s support measures.
According to Shah, action was taken against individuals accused of involvement in the violence, and some Congress leaders were also brought under legal scrutiny.
He described these measures as an effort to provide justice to families who had waited for decades for accountability.
BJP Organises Counter-March in West Delhi
The political confrontation was not limited to Shah’s speech in Chandigarh.
The BJP also organised a counter-march in West Delhi to remember the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The party accused the Congress of choosing the anniversary of the violence for political activities instead of giving the day the respect it deserved.
The two political programmes highlighted the growing political disagreement between the BJP and Congress over the legacy of the 1984 riots.
While the INDIA bloc focused on its opposition to the SIR exercise and alleged electoral irregularities, the BJP used the occasion to raise questions about the Congress party’s historical record and its handling of the violence.
1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Remain a Sensitive Issue
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots remain one of the most painful events in India’s modern political history. The violence erupted after Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.
Several parts of the country, particularly Delhi, witnessed attacks on members of the Sikh community. Thousands of people were killed, and many families suffered displacement, property losses and long-term trauma.
Even after four decades, questions surrounding accountability, justice and the political response to the violence continue to influence public debate.
Shah’s latest remarks have once again brought the issue into the centre of national politics. The controversy also highlights the continuing political divide between the BJP and Congress over the 1984 riots, historical responsibility and the treatment of victims.
As both parties continue to exchange accusations, the suffering of the families affected by the violence remains an important part of India’s public memory.
