Manmohan Singh's Statement On 1984 Riots

Quote:

People are dying today, so shouldn't we focus on these injustices under our noses rather than lamenting over the past?

As a survivor of this carnage, I have your answer. We are still living and dying today...Please consider us before you write.

I wrote this in another forum. Unfortunately, it seems to fit in perfectly here:

Dear Benjamin Chaudry Ji,

I will answer your query and to why we cannot "forgive and forget" the carnage of 1984. Perhaps some are able to forgive and that is very good. I, as yet, am not able, as I still long for and miss my dead husband, son, brothers and the baby daughters who did not live long enough to be born. These are our shaheeds never to be forgotten; certainly they will not be forgotten in my lifetime.

I cannot forget those sweet smiles I will never see again, the children I will never bear, the grandchildren who will never be born. I cannot forget every time I feel the pain in my damaged knee and the improperly healed torn muscle in my leg, or when I see the scars on my body. I cannot forget every night when I sleep a bit and wake and sleep a bit and wake up and this continues until morning. In fact, I haven't gotten a full night's natural sleep in nearly 25 years. I could go on, but that is enough, I think to make my point.

Forgive, yes, very good, for those spiritually advanced enough to do so. (I am not, as yet. Perhaps tomorrow, perhaps soon, I cannot say.) Please, though, do not insult the memory of our shaheeds by suggesting we forget.

Forgive, yes, someday. Maybe. Forget, NEVER!!

Mai Harinder Kaur, Survivor

Chardi kala!