Chandigarh: The Punjab BJP will organise a one-day conclave – Zakhm 84 De – here on Wednesday (Nov 4) to “bring the truth and painful memories of the 1984 Sikh massacre before the younger generation, 42 years after the tragedy”.“The conclave will also deliberate on the four-decade-long legal battle for justice for the affected families and efforts towards their rehabilitation,” said conclave in charge and party state general secretary Rajneesh Dhiman and state media head and programme coordinator Vineet Joshi in a written statement.They stated, “The conclave will bring together survivors of the 1984 massacre, eyewitnesses, legal experts, former judges, community representatives and political leaders. The primary objective is to present the facts surrounding the massacre before the younger generation, share experiences from the prolonged struggle for justice and discuss initiatives undertaken for the rehabilitation of victim families.”“The programme will begin with a photographic exhibition documenting the 1984 Sikh massacre, to be jointly inaugurated by Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon and the party’s state in charge Satish Poonia,” they added.Former Union minister and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad will deliver the keynote address during the inaugural session. The party said the discussions would cover survivors’ experiences, allegations of a larger conspiracy, alleged lapses in investigations and the prolonged legal battle to secure convictions.Among the participants will be survivors Nirpreet Kaur, Jangsher Singh, Darshan Kaur and Satpal Kaur. Justice S N Dhingra (retd), who headed the Supreme Court-appointed SIT to reinvestigate cases related to the 1984 riots; senior advocate H S Phoolka; and advocate Ashok Kashyap will participate in a session on the legal battle for justice.Another session will examine efforts to secure convictions and provide assistance to affected families. The concluding session will focus on rehabilitation and welfare measures undertaken by BJP-led govts.Among others who are scheduled to participate in the conclave are Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Delhi minister and former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Manjinder Singh Sirsa.The proceedings of the entire conclave will be moderated by BJP national spokesperson R P Singh.
