Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) has been commemorating the 40th anniversary of 1984 globally. A significant and powerful discourse has emerged over the past four decades surrounding the 1984 Sikh Genocide and “Operation Blue Star.” The conversation is often graphic, grave, and heart-wrenching, presenting a stark critique of the Indian justice system. However, an essential perspective frequently overlooked in this discourse is that of the first responders to the 1984 genocide—those who laid the groundwork for this conversation through their immediate actions during the crisis.

“For 1984: Witness, Document, Justice event, we contacted many first responders. Some are present here today, but many aren’t. We had conversations with them about their Whys. Today, we heard from them and those currently engaged in further documentation and the legal fight for justice,” shared Amandeep Sandhu, panel moderator and author of Panjab: Journeys through Fault Lines.

The event featured an esteemed panel of historians, activists, and legal advocates, including Uma Chakravarti, historian, filmmaker, and author of Delhi Riots: Three Days in the Life of a Nation; Sucheta Mahajan, historian and author of Independence and Partition: The Erosion of Colonial Power in India; Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, journalist and author of Sikhs: The Untold Agony of 1984; Harvinder Singh Phoolka, Senior Advocate at the Delhi High Court, human rights activist, and author of When a Tree Shook Delhi: The 1984 Carnage and its Aftermath; Paramjeet Singh, researcher and author of Main Kyun Jaun Apne Shahar: 1984 Kuchh Swal Kuchh Jawab; and Sanam Sutirath Wazir, human rights activist and author of The Kaurs of 1984: The Untold, Unheard Stories of Sikh Women. These voices, representing historical reflection and contemporary documentation, shared their efforts to safeguard humanity in the face of unspeakable violence.

“We listened to those who safeguarded humanity in the face of unspeakable violence. They saved Sikh lives, protected properties, provided care in relief camps, and documented the events when the state itself failed to act—because it was orchestrating and sponsoring the violence. That paved the way to fight the legal battles to eventually calling it what it was, a genocide,” remarked Harinder Singh, SikhRI’s Senior Fellow, organizer of The 1984 Archive, and author of Guru Granth Sahib: Its Language & Grammar.

The gathering focused on the courageous responses of these individuals who followed their conscience and duty, ensuring humanity persisted during one of India’s darkest moments.