An editorial in The Tribune from June 20, 1926, raises serious questions about the official account of the riots in Rawalpindi on the night of June 14. The Shimla communique, issued by the Punjab Government, asserts that local authorities did everything possible to prevent the disturbances and dealt with them appropriately. This view is echoed by a special correspondent of the Civil and Military Gazette, who praises the police for their magnificent behavior.
Dissatisfaction Among Affected Communities
However, The Tribune reports that the opinion of those who suffered losses during the two-hour riot is starkly different. According to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the newspaper's own representative, there is widespread dissatisfaction among Hindus and Sikhs regarding police conduct during and after the riot. The editorial points out that certain facts need clarification before the official and Civil and Military Gazette versions can be accepted.
Prior Warnings and the Cinema Incident
The government admits that local authorities had ample warning of potential trouble. Notably, the official communique omits any reference to the cinema incident, which other accounts, including that of the Civil and Military Gazette, identify as the trigger for the violence. The editorial argues that after the incident on June 13, there could be no doubt that an outbreak was imminent.
The Tribune calls for a thorough and impartial inquiry to establish the truth and address the grievances of the affected communities. The editorial underscores the need for transparency and accountability in handling communal tensions.
