Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, accused of murder during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, has pleaded ‘not guilty’ to charges relating to the killing of three men outside Delhi’s Pul Bangash gurdwara. The 80-year-old politician appeared in court on Friday, where he faced charges of murder, provocation with intent to cause riot, unlawful assembly, rioting, defiling a place of worship, and other offenses connected to the tragic events following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Tytler, a former Union Minister, is accused of inciting the mob that led to the deaths of three Sikhs and the destruction of the Pul Bangash gurdwara during the riots that took place in November 1984. The case has seen multiple delays over the years, with the trial only starting nearly four decades after the events.
Advocate HS Phoolka, representing the victims, expressed disappointment over the prolonged delay, stating, “It has taken 40 years for this trial to begin. It is very unfortunate and shows how a powerful person can cripple the whole system. Hopefully, the trial will conclude soon, and he will be jailed.”
A Delhi court had earlier ruled there was enough evidence provided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to proceed with a trial. According to the CBI’s chargesheet, Tytler allegedly “incited, instigated, and provoked the mob” that attacked the gurdwara and killed the three men.
Eyewitness statements presented by the CBI describe Tytler at the scene of the violence, with one witness claiming to have seen him near the mob armed with petrol canisters, sticks, swords, and rods. Other witnesses reported seeing him exit a white Ambassador car and give instructions to the crowd to carry out the attack.
Jagdish Tytler has consistently maintained his innocence, asserting there is no evidence to support the allegations against him. “What have I done? If there is evidence against me, I’m prepared to hang myself,” he declared in a statement last year. He has repeatedly denied involvement in the riots and criticized the accusations as politically motivated.
In May 2022, Tytler issued a statement apologizing for the 1984 riots, saying, “I will apologise because it (the riots) happened in our time. I would apologise a thousand times for what happened to the Sikhs… I would say it was shameful.”
The anti-Sikh riots erupted following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, in retaliation for her controversial military operation, ‘Operation Blue Star’, which targeted militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The assassination led to widespread violence, particularly in Delhi, where thousands of Sikhs were killed in days of brutal attacks.
Tytler has faced repeated accusations over his involvement in the riots, but he was cleared by the CBI on three previous occasions. However, the court directed the agency to conduct further investigations, which eventually led to the current trial.
The Congress party, to which Tytler belongs, has faced criticism over the years for allegedly shielding its leaders accused of involvement in the riots. In 2012, then-Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh issued an apology in Parliament, stating, “I have no hesitation in apologising to not only the Sikhs… but also the nation. I bow my head in shame that such a thing happened.”
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi also expressed regret over the riots. Rahul Gandhi, speaking about the incident, said, “The Prime Minister of UPA (the Congress-led ruling alliance) has apologised, and the President of the party (Sonia Gandhi) expressed regrets. I share their sentiments.”
