Controversy Erupts in Punjab Over Sonia Gandhis Book on 1984 Riots
New Delhi, November 14: A controversy has emerged in Punjab regarding Sonia Gandhi‘s book, “Belonging: A Journey of Love,” particularly its 17th chapter that discusses the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. In the book, Sonia claims that on the night of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, General A.S. Vaidya was ordered to deploy the army in Delhi. However, he opted to call troops from Dehradun instead of nearby locations, which contributed to the delay in controlling the violence.
Senior advocate and BJP leader H.S. Phoolka, who represents victims of the Delhi riots, has raised questions about this decision. He pointed out that there were already 6,100 soldiers stationed in Delhi. Why were they not deployed during the riots?
According to Sonia, General Vaidya chose to summon troops from Dehradun because there were a significant number of Sikh soldiers in the nearby military units. Given the aftermath of Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple, there were fears that the situation could worsen.
The book states that this choice delayed the army’s deployment. It wasn’t until the night of November 1 and the afternoon of November 2 that the army could secure sensitive areas in the city. This means it took nearly two days for the army to be fully deployed after Indira Gandhi’s assassination on October 31.
Sonia also recounts the family’s perspective on the events of 1984. She notes that following Indira Gandhi’s assassination, the atmosphere in Delhi and other parts of the country deteriorated, leading to horrific violence. Immediately after taking the oath as Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi addressed the nation on national television on the night of October 31, urging people to remain calm. He made further appeals for peace on November 1 and 2 through various channels.
Sonia describes Rajiv as inherently just and compassionate, stating that he could never justify the atrocities committed against innocent men, women, and children. According to the book, the administrative structure had completely collapsed at that time, and some officials chose to ignore the rioters rather than take action against them.
Phoolka also recalled Rajiv Gandhi’s controversial statement about a “big tree falling,” suggesting that it justified the ensuing massacre.
Sonia’s book was released on November 10 and has already sparked discussions about various topics, including references to Vasundhara Raje and Menaka Gandhi.
