1984 Delhi Sikh Genocide - Statements

Statement submitted before the Nanavati Commission

Witness No. 134

Name : Tarlochan Singh

Age :

Occupation : Vice-Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Government of India

Address : 5, Zakir Hussain Road, New Delhi – 3.

On SA

In October – November, 1984 I was the Press Secretary to the President of India. Giani Zail Singh Ji at that time. On 31st October, 1984 the President was in North Yaman as he was on a State visit. I was with him at that time. In the early morning (local time), Mr President received information that the Prime Minister was badly hit.

He was advised to return to the Capital immediately. All the engagements of the President were cancelled and it was decided to leave for Delhi immediately. All the staff which was with the President was directed to reach airport by 10.00 am We had reached Delhi by 4.30 pm While I was going along with the President to the All India Institute of Science (AIIMS) directly from the airport, I had noticed the crowd of about 20 persons near the Kamal Cinema crossing.

They were carrying sticks and lighted torches. They were trying to come near our car but all the cars which were ahead of my car passed away before the crowd came near that place. My car was attacked by the mob. They broke the glasses of my car and wanted to throw lighted torches on it. On my instructions the driver drove the car fast and that is how I could save myself. Because of the attack, instead of going to AIIMS, I went to the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

After the President had returned to the Rashtrapati Bhawan, I was informed by the Security Officer that the President's car was also attacked near the main crossing near AIIMS but thePresident's police escort was able to drive that crowd away. By 7.30 to 8.00 pm I and Kulwant Singh, Private Secretary started receiving calls from persons belonging to Sikh community and residing in different parts of the city that riots had broken out and the Sikhs were being attacked.

We then approached the President and apprised him about the information which we have received. He told us that he had also received two or three calls regarding attacks on Sikhs. The President was not prepared to believe the information as correct and asked his Secretary Mr Bandoupadhaya to get more information about the situation. Within an hour thereafter many more complaints were received by us and same were conveyed to the President.

He, therefore, rang up the Lt. Governor, Delhi and told him to take all possible measures to prevent the riots. The President also tried to contact Prime Minister but he was not able to contact him on the telephone. In the morning I and other officers had received many more calls regarding the riots and therefore we had again approached the President and apprised him about the information received by us.

The President then called Bandhopadhyaya, I.S. Bindra and. K.C. Singh. In our presence, the President had again contacted the Lt. Governor, Delhi and told him that inspite of his instructions the previous night, nothing appears to have happened and therefore, he told him to take steps. The Lt. Governor had also told the President that he was trying to contact higher authorities. The President then told him that if the situation was so bad army assistance should be called. The President had told us that inspite of his best efforts he was not able to contact the Prime Minister.

Thereafter the body of Mrs Indira Gandhi was brought to Teen Murti House. The President went to that place. There he had complained to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Cabinet Ministers who were there that the situation in Delhi had become very bad and no proper steps have been taken by the Government. When the President was about to enter Teen Murti House he had noticed a group of Namdhari Sikhs who had come to lay wreath.

They were not allowed to enter Teen Murti House and had to take shelter in the nearby house of a Minister. He narrated the incident to the Prime Minister and other Ministers and told them how Sikhs were being treated. By 11.30 am or 12.00 noon the President had returned to Rashtrapati Bhawan. Soon thereafter he had received calls from other cities of India, more particularly, Kanpur informing him that Sikhs were being killed.

At about 3.30 P.M, we could see from Rashtrapati Bhawan a big mob attacking Rakab Ganj Gurdwara. We were also able to hear shrieks and shouts which suggested that people were shouting for help. Later on I had come to know that two Sikhs were burnt alive there. Seeing and hearing that the President was very much depressed as even though he was the highest authority he could do nothing.

Some leading personalities of Delhi including Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh, General Jagjit Singh Arora, Patwant Singh and Ch. Charan Singh had come in different groups to inform the President about the prevailing situation in Delhi. Mr Malhotra had told the President that he had come to know that the Sikhs coming in train to Delhi were pulled down near Ghaziabad and therefore he was rushing to that place.

Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh and General Arora at that time had suggested that Army should take over otherwise there would be more riots. The President told him that it is for the Government to issue necessary orders and therefore it is for the Government of India to take necessary steps for calling army. I had come to know through various telephone calls received by me that no army help was called till evening and that the attacks were continuing.

I had also received a call from Mr Khuswant Singh that he requires protection as a mob was coming near his house. On the next day in the afternoon a condolence meeting was called at the Boat Club. The President was not invited to attend that meeting. Vice President had presided over that meeting. Mayor of Delhi wanted to speak at the meeting but he was hooted down and not allowed to speak. In the evening the President was informed that the army had started moving in the city and that the army was expected to control the situation.

Cross examination by H.S. Phoolka, Senior Advocate on behalf of Nov.'84 Carnage Justice Committee

I do not know if on the 1st November, 1984 any officer of the Government had come to brief the President about the situation in Delhi.

No cross examination by S.S. Gandhi, Senior Advocate on behalf of Delhi Police

No cross examination by Ashok Kashyap, Advocate on behalf of Central Government

Read over and found correct.

(Tarlochan Singh) (G.T. Nanavati)

12th December, 2001

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