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Videos
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1984 Battle of Amritsar - June 7: Inside Perspectives
Many of the arrested Sikh devotees were brutally beaten and killed. Thousands of Sikhs from rural Panjab marched towards the Complex when they heard about the army's attack. They were fired upon from helicopters.
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 3: A Day of Commemoration
This day was Guru Arjan Sahib’s martyrdom. Thousands gathered to commemorate. A total curfew was imposed, trapping thousands of civilians inside the Complex; no opportunity was given for civilians to leave.
1984 Battle of Amritsar - June 3: Inside Perspectives
“When I met Bhindranwale on the evening of 3 June 1984 in the Akal Takht, I did not know that I was perhaps the last journalist to meet the lion in his den.”- Subhash Kirpekar (Journalist), “Operation Blue Star: An Eyewitness Account”
1984 Battle of Amritsar - June 4: Operation Bluestar Begins
“Operation Blue Star” begins. Indian Army attacks the Complex and more than 120 other Gurduaras in Panjab simultaneously. The shelling of the Complex starts between 4 and 5 am. At 7:00 pm, Major-General KS Brar orders Vijayanta tanks towards the clock tower entrance. Thousands of Sikh pilgrims were killed.
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...
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 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)
Articles
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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.
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 Woke Me Up From A Deep Slumber
Thirty years have gone by since the world’s fourth largest army marched into Darbar Sahib (The Golden Temple), Amritsar in June 1984.
1984 Woke Me Up From A Deep Slumber
Thirty years have gone by since the world’s fourth largest army marched into Darbar Sahib (The Golden Temple), Amritsar in 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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Representing 1984
Join us as we explore the recent rise of literature, art, film, and photography focusing on the anti-Sikh violence of 1984. What is the language of violence? How do we find such language for translating the unspeakable? And who speaks for those who suffer the violence? Our panelists, Gauri Gill, Sarbpreet Singh, and The Singh Twins, will delve into questions surrounding the representation of 1984.
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.
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: Why should I care? – Amanpreet Kaur
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.” His response shook me and it became a very significant moment for me. This experience led me to question - Why do I care about the violence that occurred during 1984…why should I care?
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.
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? – Amanpreet Kaur
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.” His response shook me and it became a very significant moment for me. This experience led me to question - 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. What is the language of violence? How do we find such language for translating the unspeakable? And who speaks for those who suffer the violence? Our panelists, Gauri Gill, Sarbpreet Singh, and The Singh Twins, will delve into questions surrounding the representation of 1984.
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.
