Watch: Families of 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims burn Sonia Gandhi's memoir

Explained

What happened

Several outlets have reported on a dispute over Sonia Gandhi's memoir and its account of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. According to the Times of India, families of riot victims were filmed burning a copy of the book. The outlet published the footage as a short video item with little further detail.

Hindustan Times reported that BJP leader Phoolka had questioned the memoir's account of the riots. The same outlet said another BJP spokesperson accused the book of glossing over historical wrongs. It also quoted Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, who said the criticism was politically timed.

The Indian Express carried Sonia Gandhi's own remarks on the subject. According to that outlet, she described the anti-Sikh riots as a tragic and shameful chapter in the country's history.

Why it matters

The 1984 riots remain a sensitive subject in Indian politics, and these reports show the memoir has become a point of contention between the BJP and the Congress. The Indian Express presents Sonia Gandhi's statement as a condemnation of the violence. The BJP figures quoted by Hindustan Times, by contrast, object to how the book treats the events. Tiwari's response shifts the argument toward the timing of the criticism. These are the positions of the people quoted, not established findings.

What we don't know yet

The reports do not say which passages of the memoir Phoolka disputes, or which historical wrongs the spokesperson had in mind. They also do not say where the burning took place or how many people took part. The summaries available here do not include the families' own views or any direct response from Sonia Gandhi to the specific criticisms. Coverage so far is brief, and fuller accounts may contain details not captured in these reports.

Written by the 91News.in desk with AI assistance, based on reports from Times of India, Hindustan Times, Indian Express. Updated 12 Nov 2026, 10:05 pm. Spotted an error? Tell us.