PM
Apologizes to Nation for 1984 Riots, Promises Action
against Wrong-doers
New Delhi, Aug 11, 2005
UNI
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ha apologized to the
nation on behalf of his government for the 1984 anti-Sikh
riots, saying that "my head bows in shame not
only before the Sikh community but also before the
entire nation."
"I have no hestitation in apologising not only
to the Sikh community but to the whole nation, because
what took place in 1984 is a negation of the concept
of nationhood enshrined in our Constitution. So, I
am not standing on any false prestige. On behalf of
our Government, on behalf of the entire people of
this country, I bow my head in shame," Dr Singh
said, in his intervention in the debate on the Nanavati
Commission findings in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
"The past is behind us. We cannot change it,
but we can write the future. We must have the will
power to write a better future for all of us,'' he
said, urging the members to concentrate their debates
on the ''quest for a better future in which the people
feel honourable members of a nation and live a life
of dignity and self-respect."
Urging the members not to 'play politics' on this
national tragedy, he said they should refrain from
making any remarks out of context "that lead
us to these pastures."
Noting that the Sikh community had played a great
role in history, Dr Singh reiterated that the 1984
riots were a "national tragedy and a matter of
shame for the country", and assured that the
Government would reopen the cases, including those
against policemen, wherever it was possible under
the law.
"The past cannot be undone. But as a united
nation, we must try to find new ways so as to ensure
that the country does not go this way again. Whether
Gujarat or any other part of the country, such incidents
should not recur," Dr Singh said.
He assured the House that the government would strive
for full rehabilitation of the families of the riot
victims.
Rajya Sabha Takes
up Discussion
New Delhi
PTI
The Rajya Sabha on Thursday suspended the Question
Hour and took up for discussion an Opposition-sponsored
motion on Nanavati Commission report.
As soon as the House met for the day, Chairman Bhairon
Singh Shekhawat informed the House that he had received
requests to suspended the Question Hour and take up
discussion on the Nanavati Commission report on 1984
anti-Sikh riots.
Shekhawat said he was suspending the Question Hour
to take up discussion under Rule 168 which entails
voting.
