BJP COUNTERS ‘VOTE CHORI’ RALLY AS AMIT SHAH INVOKES 1984 ANTI-SIKH POGROM

November 2, 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused the Congress of insensitivity towards victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, criticising the INDIA bloc for holding its ‘vote chori’ rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1, the anniversary of the pogrom. Shah alleged that organising a major political gathering on the date had hurt the sentiments of Sikh survivors and their families.

Referring to the violence that erupted after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, Shah recalled the controversial remark by her son and successor, Rajiv Gandhi, that “when a big tree falls, the ground shakes”. He accused the Congress of failing to demonstrate adequate sensitivity towards the thousands of Sikhs killed during the violence and claimed that the BJP had urged the party to avoid holding its rally on November 1, 2 or 3.

Shah also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, mocking his ambition to become Prime Minister and saying he could continue participating in a “mock parliament” but would never occupy the office. He further alleged, without presenting evidence in the remarks reported, that the Opposition rally had been organised at the direction of foreign forces.

The INDIA bloc’s rally was primarily directed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition leaders raised concerns about alleged voter deletions and electoral irregularities, demanding accountability and safeguards for voting rights.

The BJP organised counter-demonstrations in Delhi and other parts of the country. BJP president Nitin Nabin criticised the Congress over its handling of the 1984 violence, while Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta led a march in the capital. Other BJP leaders also attacked the INDIA bloc, accusing it of undermining democratic institutions.

The competing rallies highlighted the widening political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Opposition, with the debate over electoral integrity unfolding alongside renewed criticism of the Congress’s record during the 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom.