"Forget And Forgive," Sikhs Are Told

Sikhs as a community and Sikh religious and political leadership, in particular, have had to listen to a lot of wise talk on the November, 1984 events. "Why rake up an old issue?" Time is the best healer." "Forget and forgive." "God will punish the guilty." And much more.

I too have been at the receiving end of such noble advice. And, who are the people giving it? Top government officials, agents of the Congress party, professional fixers dealing on behalf of some of those facing trial (none of whom can be named for obvious reasons). And, Just to make their advice credible they have recruited some Sikhs to influence me out of campaigning for justice for the victims' families. Following is a clip of a conversation I had with a top government official who came to meet me along with a top Sikh industrialist.

Babbar saab, we have come to ask you for a favour."

Sure, I will do it, if I can."

"We knew you would not disappoint us." They cheered up.

"Babbar Saab you have done a lot on the November 1984 issue, spent so many years of your life on it. Isn’t time we closed this sad chapter? It will bring relief both to the victims and to the country."

I agreed to their proposal on the following conditions.

"You forget Indira Gandhi. Let nobody ever visit her grave. Forget it is a national monument. Forget Rajiv Gandhi. Release all those directly or indirectly involved in his killing of jail. Forget they ever lived."

The two men left. They did not come back. But, many others did. Many more will come. I am prepared with my answer. I have rehearsed it over and over.