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Videos
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1984 Battle of Amritsar - June 7: Sikh Reference Library Destruction
The army deliberately set fire to the Sikh Reference Library after the attack was over. Valuable archives and material of significant historical importance were destroyed in this fire. The army claims that the library caught fire during the crossfire. The library was intact until the evening of June 6, 1984. This has been verified by the in-charge of the library, Sardar Devinder Singh Duggal. The library was set ablaze on June 7, in the early hours of the morning.
1984 Battle of Amritsar - June 6: Inside Perspectives
“The effect of this barrage on the Akal Takht was devastating. The whole front of the sacred shrine was destroyed, leaving hardly a pillar standing.” - Mark Tully, Amritsar, Mrs. Gandhi's Last Battle
1984 Battle of Amritsar - June 6: The Shelling of Akal Takht Sahib
Lieutenant-General Jagjit Singh Aurora, who studied the front of the Akal Takht before it was repaired, reckoned that as many as eighty high-explosive squash-head shells were fired into the Akal Takht Sahib.
1984 Battle of Amritsar - June 5: Inside Perspectives
"We tried to get these people out but could only achieve partial success because the army began its offensive.”- Apar Singh Bajwa, DSP of Panjab Police (BBC News Flash-Backs, 3 June 2004)
1984 Battle of Amritsar - June 5: No Way Out
Tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) fire at the Complex structures. Many civilians either die, are injured, or are unfairly arrested. Thousands remain trapped in the crossfire.
1984 Battle of Amritsar - June 4: Inside Perspectives
The Army began the assault on June 4 morning by firing heavy artillery and mortars against the temple complex, destroying the tops of two 18 century towers, the water tank behind a large public assembly room called Teja Singh Samundri Hall...
Liv - Kultar's Mime: A 1984 Play
“Kultar’s Mime is a scream of pain. A cry of rage at the unending pattern of injustice and targets the weak and the poor. A never ending pattern that transcends geography, culture and time,” said Sarbpreet Singh who wrote the original poem...
1984: After the Darkness
1984: After the Darkness - June-November in Personal Memory - Genocide in Collective Sikh Psyche - Confronting Injustice with Light-Love
Reflections on 1984 Legacies of Silence, History & Otherness
Every year around November, history is visited by some who commemorate the devastating anti-Sikh violence in Delhi and other northern cities of India in 1984, strongly insisting to never forget 1984, while others insist on forgetting...
Don't Ask – Inni Kaur #Remembering1984
Don't Ask. Poem by Inni KaurDon’t ask, my daughter what happened in 1984.These wounds are still raw don’t touch them.
1984: The Devoted & The Worldly
1984 is considered the third Ghallughara in Sikh history. Why was Sri Harimandar Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib complex attacked? What’s the Sikh historical context? How must the memory be kept alive 36 years on?
1984: Ghallughara and I
Harinder Singh dives into the events of June and November 1984, the myths and realities of the attacks, their importance in a Sikh context, and a vision for the future that is rooted in progress and justice.
Articles
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Legacy of 1984
Discover the essence of Sikhi in "Legacy of 1984: Rising Voices," a poetic tribute that delves into the indomitable spirit of Sikhs during tumultuous times.
Why Was Bhindranwale There?
Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale is a pivotal figure in the events of 1984. There is much consternation and confusion over his actions and choices in the lead-up to the June 1984 Ghallughara.
No More Blue Stars
In recent years, diasporic Sikhs have been moving to consciously avoid using the terms Operation Blue Star or Holocaust and instead use terms like the Battle of Amritsar, genocide, or Ghallughara when speaking about June and November 1984.
The Attack on Political Sikhi
What did Indira Gandhi hope to achieve in the June 1984 attack on the Harimandar Sahib Complex and Gurduaras around Panjab? What was the goal of the Indian National Congress (I) party’s brutal and genocidal pogroms against Sikhs across the country in...
1984: Why Should I Care?
I once met an elderly man who had taken pictures before and after 1984. I asked him: “What was it like photographing 84’?” His response: “I feel like I have been photographing 1984 my entire life.”
Don't Ask, My Daughter
Tell me, Mother! What is the truth? What is a lie?
1984 Woke Me Up From A Deep Slumber
In this poignant reflection, Inni Kaur shares her awakening from a cultural Sikh to a deeply connected follower, driven by the pain and loss of June 1984.
You Could Have Heard a Pin Drop
Date: June 10th or 11th, 1984 – General Brar via his ADC (Aide de Camp) requested to meet a few of the old Sikh and Hindu families in Amritsar. Grudgingly, my parents agreed to host the dinner. The General (wearing his decorated uniform) along with 5-7 Indian Army Officers entered our home in a celebratory mood, as if they were to going to attend a victory lap. But, what transpired was very different. There were approximately 40 civilians from various families also present.
1984: My Struggle & Inspiration
Dr. Pritpal Singh shares his reflections on the events of 1984 in India against Sikhs, where many innocent lives were lost.
June 1984 Ghallughara
The June 1984 army action on the Golden Temple complex – Sri Harimandar Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib – was a tipping point in the Sikh and Indian history 33 years ago.
1984 is in my DNA
Thirty-three years ago the world’s fourth largest army marched into Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, India.
Don't Ask, My Daughter
Tell me, Mother! What is the truth? What is a lie?
Podcasts
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1984: Witness, Document, Justice
Since 1984, in the aftermath of “Operation Blue Star” and the Sikh Genocide, many narratives have surfaced—graphic, heartbreaking, and deeply emotional. Yet, one crucial perspective often remains overlooked: the voices of the first responders.
The Attack on Political Sikhi
Manvinder Kaur and Santbir Singh explore the events of 1984 that forever transformed the landscape of Sikh history and politics in India.
Why Was Bhindranwale There?
Santbir Singh delves into the complex and sometimes controversial legacy of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale during the events of June 1984.
Legacy of 1984
Through vivid imagery and heartfelt verses, Inni Kaur revisits 1984, weaving threads of courage, resilience, and unwavering devotion. Join this lyrical exploration today.
Sant Jarnail Singh: The Man, the Myth, the Truth
Listen as Santbir Singh delves into an in-depth conversation with Harinder Singh about Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a pivotal figure in 20th-century Sikh history.
No More Blue Stars
Santbir Singh joins Manvinder Kaur to discuss his recent article, “No More Blue Stars.” They delve into the evolving terminology surrounding the events of 1984 and explore ways the community can reclaim and reshape the narrative of these events.
What would Guru Nanak Sahib do in 1984?
What would Guru Nanak Sahib do in 1984? Listen to this discussion between Harinder Singh and the Sikh Cast host, Manpreet Singh.
1984: Why Should I Care?
Why do I care about the violence that occurred during 1984…why should I care?
1984: The Devoted & The Worldly: Harinder Singh – The Sikh Cast | SikhRI
We're taking an in-depth look at the events of Operation Blue Star in 1984 in Amritsar, Panjab. It's considered the third Ghallughara, or massacre, in Sikh history. The Indian government assaulted the sacred Golden Temple Complex and Akal Takht. In this episode, SikhRI's Senior Fellow on Research and Policy speaks to a live audience to provide clarity and context on the operation and it's legacy on the Sikh community. He answers why the attack happened, it's the historical context and why the memory is kept alive in #Remember1984.
1984 Remembrance: The Sikhs and the Indian State
Join Harinder Singh and Manpreet Singh as they discuss 1984 and explore its parallels with human rights movements today.
Representing 1984
Join us as we explore the recent rise of literature, art, film, and photography focusing on the anti-Sikh violence of 1984.
1984: A Conversation
Join us for a heartfelt conversation between Inni Kaur, SikhRI’s Creative Director, and Darsnoor Kaur, SikhRI’s graphic designer, as they explore the profound impact of June 1984, known as the Ghallughara or “Operation Blue Star.”
Courses
Resources
The Ghallughara of 1984 - Lesson Plan for 6-8
An education resource that highlights the persecution of Sikhs in India during the 1984 Ghallughara (code named Operation Blue Star by the Indian government) and the Sikh principles of justice.
