Amit Shah Slams INDIA Bloc for Holding Ramlila Rally on 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Anniversary: ‘India Will Never Forget’

November 1, 2026

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday criticised the INDIA bloc for holding its rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, accusing the Congress of hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community. Describing the opposition gathering as a “jalsa”, Shah said the event would reopen painful memories for the families of those killed in the violence.

Addressing a rally in Chandigarh, Shah said the BJP had earlier requested the INDIA bloc not to organise its programme on November 1, 2 and 3, citing the anniversary of the anti-Sikh riots. However, he alleged that the opposition parties ignored the appeal and went ahead with the rally.

“Our party held a press conference requesting that they not hold the event on 1-2-3 Nov—the very days the anti-Sikh riots took place—as it would deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community, including mothers, sisters, and children,” Shah said.

He further alleged that the decision to organise the rally on the anniversary was deliberate and strongly condemned the opposition from Punjab, which he described as the land of the Gurus.

“India and Punjab will never be able to forget this,” he said.

Shah Targets Congress Over 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots

The Home Minister also targeted former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi over his controversial remark, “When a big tree falls, the Earth shakes”, made in the aftermath of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.

Shah said the statement reflected the Congress leadership’s attitude towards the killings and accused the party of being responsible for the violence that forced thousands of Sikhs to flee their homes in Delhi.

He also credited the BJP-led NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with reopening cases related to the riots and providing financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to each victim. Shah claimed that action had been taken against Congress leaders involved in the violence.

Amit Shah Mocks Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Mock Parliament’

Taking aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah accused the opposition of spreading misinformation, creating disorder and disrupting parliamentary proceedings.

He also referred to Sonia Gandhi’s reported ambition of seeing her son become Prime Minister, claiming that Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly failed to achieve the position.

“Sonia-ji’s dream of seeing her son become Prime Minister remains unfulfilled,” Shah said.

Mocking the INDIA bloc’s rally, he described it as a “mock parliament” and said Rahul Gandhi could continue participating in such gatherings.

The remarks came as the INDIA bloc held its Ramlila Maidan rally in Delhi, where opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, raised allegations of voter-list manipulation and “vote theft” against the Centre and the Election Commission.