The recent tragic attack in Balochistan, Pakistan, where gunmen brutally executed seven innocent bus passengers after checking their identities, echoes a dark chapter from history—one that is often overlooked or conveniently forgotten.

After Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984, it has been alleged that the Congress-led government orchestrated one of the most catastrophic and vengeful massacres against Sikhs in India. Thousands of innocent Sikh men, women, and children were slaughtered in Delhi and other parts of India. In retaliation, a similar horrific incident took place on the Indian side of Punjab, where Hindu Punjabis were targeted, forced off buses, and executed after verifying their identities. These events left deep scars on the fabric of the nation, fostering division, fear, and hatred—something that should never have been allowed in a land that prides itself on unity in diversity.

Kangana Ranaut’s much-anticipated movie Emergency was expected to shed light on these historical events, but as history has shown time and again, mainstream narratives often sideline uncomfortable truths. The world has witnessed too many such senseless tragedies, whether in India, Pakistan, or anywhere else.

Decades later, the quest for justice continues. On February 12, 2025, former Congress Member of Parliament Sajjan Kumar was convicted for his role in the murder of a father and son during the 1984 riots. The prosecution has sought the death penalty, labeling it a "rarest of rare" case. Kumar, already serving a life sentence from a 2018 conviction related to the riots, now faces additional sentencing. The Supreme Court has scheduled further arguments on the quantum of punishment for February 21, 2025.

When will this hatred end? After all, we are all human beings—born under the same sky, breathing the same air, and bound by our faith in the Creator. No religion, no ideology, no historical grievance should justify the cold-blooded murder of innocent civilians.

It is time we, as a global community, reject this cycle of violence, learn from the past, and commit ourselves to a future where no person is killed simply for their identity, beliefs, or heritage. The past cannot be undone, but the future is still in our hands.