On November 1, 1984, Congress leader Jagdish Tytler arrived at Gurdwara Pul Bangash in New Delhi and allegedly shouted, “Kill the Sikhs….they have killed our mother.” As a result, three people were killed and the gurdwara was set ablaze. These events are described in a supplementary charge sheet against Tytler, who appeared in court as an accused in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
According to the charge sheet, Tytler not only rebuked his supporters after getting out of the car but also expressed disappointment that only a few Sikhs had been killed. Witnesses claim that Tytler’s speech triggered the violence that followed. The charge sheet also mentions an incident on November 3, 1984, where Tytler allegedly reprimanded a group of people for not following his instructions faithfully.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has accused Tytler of being part of an unlawful assembly that committed rioting near Gurdwara Pul Bangash, inciting the mob to kill Sikhs, and promoting enmity between different religious groups. The CBI has filed charges against him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rioting, abetment, and murder.
Tytler has been granted anticipatory bail by a sessions court and the court has accepted his bail bond in connection with the case. The conditions of his bail include not tampering with evidence or leaving the country without permission.
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots were a tragic event in Indian history, resulting in the deaths of thousands of innocent Sikhs. The investigation and pursuit of justice for the victims and their families continue to this day.