Former Congress Member of Parliament Sajjan Kumar died on Thursday at the age of 80. Kumar was serving a life sentence in Delhi's Tihar Jail for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He was transferred to Safdarjung Hospital after his health significantly declined, where doctors later declared him deceased.
Kumar, once a prominent figure in Delhi politics, had a career that saw him rise from municipal politics to the Lok Sabha. Born on September 23, 1945, he reportedly began his working life running a tea shop and was also associated with the bakery business before entering public service. His political journey began with a Delhi Municipal Corporation election win, reportedly aided by prominent Jat leader Chaudhary Hira Singh and senior Congress leader HKL Bhagat.
From Local Politics to Parliament
Sajjan Kumar quickly established himself as an influential leader within the Delhi Congress. His political standing grew significantly following the Emergency period. Despite an anti-Congress wave in 1977, Kumar played an active role in the party's 'jail bharo' movement against the Janata Party government, securing a ticket for the 1980 Lok Sabha election from Outer Delhi.
He won this election, defeating Chaudhary Brahm Prakash, who was Delhi's first chief minister. Kumar's victory further solidified his position and fostered close ties with the Gandhi family, particularly Sanjay Gandhi. He returned to Parliament after winning the 1991 Lok Sabha election and remained a key Congress leader and political 'kingmaker' in Delhi for decades.
The Shadow of the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots
Kumar's political trajectory was severely impacted by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which erupted in Delhi following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He faced accusations of instigating violence against members of the Sikh community during this dark chapter. While his influence within Delhi politics persisted for some time, the legal cases stemming from the riots ultimately led to the end of his public career.
Conviction and Final Years in Tihar Jail
In December 2018, the Delhi High Court sentenced Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment in connection with one of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases. Following the verdict, he resigned from the primary membership of the Congress party. He subsequently surrendered to the court and was imprisoned in Tihar Jail, where he remained until his death.
His final years were spent in jail, where his health deteriorated, necessitating his transfer to Safdarjung Hospital. With his passing, the controversial and impactful political journey of Sajjan Kumar, marked by both ascent to power and a conviction for historical atrocities, comes to a close.