Sikh riots crusader makes a big charge, says 'Witnesses being threatened to benefit Kamal Nath'

In a significant development related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, HS Phoolka has made startling claims, asserting that witnesses are facing threats to favour Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Kamal Nath. Phoolka, known for his advocacy for justice in the Sikh riots cases, alleged that he and a UK journalist, whom he identified as a key witness against Kamal Nath, have received threat messages from the Khalistani terror group, Sikh For Justice.

In a series of tweets, HS Phoolka, a prominent figure in the fight for justice in the Sikh riots cases, expressed his concerns and disclosed the threats. He stated, "I didn’t know that Kamal Nath is so powerful. Threat to eliminate the main witness against him Sanjay Suri is given by Sikhs for Justice. I have received an email purportedly from @SikhsForJustic threatening to eliminate me, which I don’t care (about). But strangely threat is also to to eliminate Sanjay Suri, a journalist, who is the main witness against Kamal Nath."

"Suri has shown courage to give evidence of burning of Gurdwara Rakabganj & killing of 2 Sikhs during #1984SikhGenocide. Sikhs are grateful to him, how can Sikh threat him. It’s to benefit Kamal Nath. I request PM Narendra Modi to whom this letter is addressed, to investigate if this letter is genuine. Also request PM to take up with the UK govt to take care of the security of Sanjay Suri, presently correspondent of CNN in the UK. Also Kamal Nath’s link with this."

I didn’t know that Kamal Nath is so powerful. Threat to eliminate main witness against him Sanjay Suri is given by Sikhs for Justice. 
I have received an email purportedly from @SikhsForJustic threatening to eliminate me, which I don’t care. But strangely threat is also to…
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— H S Phoolka (@hsphoolka) November 1, 2023

It is pertinent to mention that Suri has been alleging that Kamal Nath led the mob that burnt two Sikhs alive at Rakab Ganj during the anti-Sikh riots in 1984 following the assassination of then-PM Indira Gandhi. "In 1984 I saw him (Kamal Nath) lead a mob that burnt two Sikhs alive at Rakab Ganj. He’s been lying about that ever since. By law he should have been arrested," Suri tweeted on October 22, 2020.

Nanavati report

Sanjay Suri's affidavit

According to the Nanavati Commission report on anti-Sikh riots, Sanjay Suri in his affidavit stated that “on 1-11-84 at about 4.00 p.m. He went to Gurudwara Rakab Ganj, as he had come to know that there was some trouble there. When he reached there he saw a big crowd of about 4000 persons led by Congress leader Shri Kamal Nath. The mob was making attempts to enter the Gurudwara. But, the Congress Member of Parliament and other leaders of the Congress Party were able to keep them under control. He further stated that he also came to know that some time earlier the mob had entered the Gurudwara but had retreated as someone had fired some shots from within the Gurudwara. He also came to know that two Sikhs were killed outside the Gurudwara. Bodies of the two Sikhs were still lying there when he reached that place.”

“When I had gone near the Rakabgunj Gurdwara I had noticed that Mr Kamalnath was controlling the crowd and the crowd was looking to him for directions. I also noticed that he had control of the crowd. I had not heard Mr Kamal Nath either giving any positive direction to the crowd to do something or not to do something. I had seen Kamal Nath speaking to different people in different mobs near Gurdwara,” Suri said in his affidavit to the Commission

“Even while when Mr Kamalnath was present some mobs had charged at the Gurdwara. I had noticed the presence of the police on one side of Gurdwara. Mr Gautam Kaul who was then the officer in charge of that range was also present. When one mob had tried to charge at the Gurdwara in the presence of Mr Kaul no attempt was made by him and his subordinates to prevent that group from doing so. He had himself stepped aside. I remained near the Gurdwara for about an hour,” he added.

Kamal Nath's affidavit

“Kamal Nath, in his affidavit, has stated that in the afternoon of 1-11-84, on receiving information that some violence was taking place in and around Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, he as a senior and responsible leader of the Congress Party decided to go there," the Commission report said.

“When he reached there, he found that lots of people were standing outside the Gurudwara and paramilitary personnel were also present. He tried to find out from various persons in the mob as to why they had gathered there and why they were agitated. He was told that some Hindu men and women were kept inside the Gurudwara forcibly and that was the main reason why they were agitated. By that time the Commissioner of Police came there. He felt satisfied that the police would be able to control the situation, so he left that place. He has further stated that while he was near the Gurudwara he had tried to persuade the crowd to disperse and not to take law into their hands. He had also told the crowd that since the police had arrived, it was their job to ensure the safety of the Hindus, if any, inside the Gurudwara and that the police would be able to control the 141 situation. He has denied that he gave instructions to anyone to resort to firing. He has also denied that he had either led that mob or had any control over the mob,” the Commission report stated.

However, the Commission noted that the reply filed by Kamal Nath was vague. “He was there for quite a long time. He has not stated whether he went to the Gurudwara alone or with some other persons and how he went there. He has not stated that he looked for the police or tried to contact the policemen who were posted there to ensure that the situation remained under control. He left that place after the Commissioner of Police arrived. He has not stated that he met him. He was a senior political leader and feeling concerned about the law and order situation went to the Gurudwara and therefore it appears a little strange that he left that place abruptly without even contacting the police officers who had come there,” the Commission said.

“At the same time it is also required to be considered that he was called upon to explain after about 20 years and probably for that reason he was not able to give more details as regards when and how he went there and what he did. Shri Suri has said that Shri Kamal Nath had tried to persuade the mob to disperse and the mob had retreated for some time. Therefore, it would not be proper to come to the conclusion that Shri Kamal Nath had in any manner instigated the mob,” the Commission contended.