New Delhi [India], April 25: Advocate Gurlad Singh Kehlon, the lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing deep grief over the Pahalgam terror attack and raising alarms over rising threats to minority communities and national unity.
In his letter, Kehlon describes the April 22 massacre, which claimed 26 lives, as a “grim reminder” of India’s past communal tragedies, drawing a direct comparison to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He noted that such violence continues to haunt the present, threatening the country’s efforts toward peace and coexistence.
External Influence and Incitement
Kehlon raised concerns over provocative statements allegedly made by:
- Pakistani Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir,
- Srinagar MP Sayed Aga Rehulah Khan, and
- PDP MLA Wahid Para,
claiming their remarks incited hatred and justified the targeting of Hindus and Sikhs. He asserted these comments echoed the ideology of Pakistan’s ISI and military, and may have contributed to an atmosphere where terrorists felt emboldened.
A Call for Justice and National Unity
Kehlon urged PM Modi to:
- Take decisive legal and diplomatic action against individuals inciting communal hatred,
- Expose and counter external influences, and
- Reinforce India’s commitment to justice, unity, and minority safety.
Advocating for a Peaceful India
In his concluding remarks, Kehlon envisioned an India that would emerge as a “beacon of love, unity, and resilience”—a nation capable of overcoming hatred and safeguarding the dignity of every citizen.