1980 Moradabad riots:
These are known as one of the bloodiest communal riots ever witnessed in Indian history.
It happened on 13th August 1980, when an animal entered a place of worship during prayers. This led to widespread communal violence, stoning, after which police fired indiscriminately into the crowd. Nearly 400 people lost their lives but the unofficial death toll is estimated to be much more than that.
1984 Anti-Sikh Riots:
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots by lumpen mobs in Delhi, Kanpur and Bokaro after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards was a tragedy that scarred the psyche of the Sikh community forever.
Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984, and soon thereafter mobs began on the rampage, stoning and torching houses and gurdwaras belonging to the Sikh community. Army had to be called in and curfew was imposed in Delhi to quell the riots. The riots lasted for 3 days killing around 3,000 Sikhs, which is supposed to be the official number, but the death toll was much higher.
Sultanpuri, Mongolpuri, Trilokpuri, and other Trans-Yamuna areas of Delhi were the worst affected. Though the Centre and Delhi government worked for the rehabilitation of riot affected people, but the riot victims are yet to get justice.
1989 Bhagalpur Riots:
It was during the Ramshila processions which were supposed to proceed to Gaushala area, from where they were supposed to move on to Ayodhya, and during which people started shouting provocative slogans.
Though the Disitrict Magistrate requested the community to allow the procession to pass, they refused and suggested to take an alternate route for Gaushala.
The communal violence erupted when a series of rumors were spread that around 200 students were killed by a particular community, which was followed by series of other baseless rumors. These rumours acted like fuel to the communal fire. The violent incidents continued for two months which affected Bhagalpur city and 250 villages around it.
According to official figures 1,070 people were killed & 524 injured . Most of those affected belonging to a particular community.
