New Delhi, November 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda has questioned the continued focus on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying India should concentrate on the future of younger generations rather than repeatedly revisiting events that took place more than four decades ago.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Pitroda was asked whether the Congress should be held accountable for the violence that followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.
Responding to the question, he argued that the issue had been discussed extensively and that courts and other relevant authorities should be allowed to decide matters concerning the violence.
“What is the sense in talking about something that happened 40 years ago now? I have said many times there has been so much conversation on it. You know, let the people in court and others decide,” Pitroda said.
Questioning why the country continued to revisit historical controversies, he called for a shift towards building a prosperous and peaceful nation.
“Let’s look at the future. Let’s move on. Let’s design a better, prosperous, peaceful nation for everybody. That should be the agenda,” he said.
The 1984 violence erupted after Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh. The attacks on members of the Sikh community followed months after Operation Blue Star, the military operation at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar in June that year.
Pitroda said the country’s priorities should include the education, employment and skill development of children and future generations.
“We’ve got to look forward. We’ve got to see the future of our children, our grandchildren, their education, their employment, their jobs, in a sense, their skill set. That is the real challenge,” he said.
He also pointed to artificial intelligence and emerging educational challenges as subjects that should command greater attention among young people.
The violence followed Operation Blue Star, the Indian Army’s June 1984 operation at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar to remove armed militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who were occupying parts of the complex, including the Akal Takht.
Pitroda also criticised what he described as the country’s continued preoccupation with historical and religious controversies, arguing that greater attention should be directed towards contemporary challenges.
He said younger generations needed better educational opportunities, employment prospects and skills to prepare for a changing economy. He also identified artificial intelligence and emerging technological challenges as areas deserving greater public attention.
His remarks come amid renewed political debate over the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, with questions of accountability and the Congress party’s responsibility continuing to figure in political exchanges.
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