Harsimrat Kaur Recalls 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots In Lok Sabha, Terms It ‘murder Of Democracy’

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Parliamentarian of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday came down heavily against the Congress during the special session of the Parliament. Addressing the Lower House, Badal lashed the Congress recalling the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that took place during the Congress rule denoting it as ‘murder of democracy’. Highlighting the need for bringing women’s reservation in the nation, she said that the women’s reservation bill must be brought. 

MP from Punjab’s Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal outlined Punjab’s contribution towards the freedom of the country and also highlighted the Sikh community’s struggle against Mughals. She even called for paying homage to the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, ‘Hind ki Chadar’ during her address in the Parliament. 

The SAD leader also termed the 1984 incident as the murder of democracy. She stated, “This house should unanimously pay homage to ‘Hind ki Chaadar’. As a woman, I would like to say that as a young 18-year-old, I saw the murder of democracy, when the ‘Sikh Genocide’ happened. It was this Congress, which had attacked the holy shrines.”

“This house needs to unanimously condemn the ‘Sikh genocide’,” said Badal. 

Putting forth her thoughts on the ‘Women Reservation Bill’, which is likely to be tabled in the Parliament during the special session, Harsimrat Kaur Badal also talked about the condition of the farmers. She said, “It is time we stop making hollow promises to our farmers of doubling their income. Something needs to be done for our farmers.”

Talking exclusively to Republic, the SAD MP responded on moving from the old building to the new Parliament building by saying, “I Think old is gold, you should not forget old lessons learned in this old Parliament. Old lessons are necessary to build a better future. But, I think the new Parliament building is going to bring new hopes and lots of new opportunities to strengthen democracy.” 

Harsimrat Kaur also expressed her thoughts on the anticipated Women Reservation Bill, saying, “I think definitely ‘Women Reservation Bill’ will be brought. It had been there in their manifesto for so long. They were in the majority for the last 10 years, why on the eve of elections they suddenly remembered it. But, anyway, better late than never. I will whole-heartedly welcome the bill.”