Comments by former prime minister Manmohan Singh that the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 could have been prevented by then home minister P.V. Narasimha Rao have triggered a controversy.
Manmohan made the comments at an event in Delhi on Wednesday to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of late prime minister I.K. Gujral. The anti-Sikh riots in Delhi erupted shortly after then prime minister Indira Gandhi was shot and killed by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. Nearly 3,000 people, mostly Sikhs, were killed in the riots.
Apparently referring to the day of the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984, Manmohan claimed Gujral "that very evening went to then home minister Narsimha Rao”. Manmohan was quoted as saying by ANI that Gujral told Rao, "The situation is so grim that it is necessary for the government to call the Army at the earliest." Manmohan remarked that had Rao heeded Gujral's advice, the massacre of the anti-Sikh riots could have been avoided.
N.V. Subash, a grandson of Narasimha Rao and a BJP leader, told ANI he was "saddened" by the statement of Manmohan Singh and declared it was unacceptable. Can any home minister take independent decision without cabinet approval? If Army had been called, it would've been a disaster."
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H.S. Phoolka, a lawyer who has fought for justice for the victims of the anti-Sikh riots, lauded Manmohan for "such a bold admission and not caring for consequences" for speaking about Rao's role. However, Phoolka tweeted that then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi "didn't agree to call the Army". Phoolka claimed calling in the Army on the morning of November 1 itself could have saved 2,000 lives.
Phoolka tweeted about a phone conversation between Rao and the prime minister's office, which was purportedly witnessed by Shanti Bhushan. Phoolka claimed Rao had asked to deploy the Army, "but that person didn’t agree. When Home Min want to call Army, it is only PM who can overrule. Narasimha Rao was sidelined, all orders came directly from PM office”.
Manmohan joined politics by becoming finance minister in the government of P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991 to 1996. Manmohan had even referred to Rao as being a political mentor to him.