In fact, when the pogrom ended, Phoolka and wife were ready to move toChandigarh—permanently. What changed their plans was a chance visit to a riotvictims’ relief camp. And the sight of the orphans, bereaved mothers and wives."I was consumed by guilt. These people had lost everything. I had not, but I was theone running away," he says.
So he decided to stay back—and fight. The cause was not Sikh but human rights.Giving his career and family life the skip, Phoolka has relentlessly followed up thecases, scuttling government attempts to cover up. Relieved that justice is finally beingdelivered to the victims, Phoolka, now a well-established lawyer, says: "This is onlythe beginning."
