June 1984

June 1984

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.

Videos

Saturday
,
4
June
2022

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...

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Saturday
,
4
June
2022

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.

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Friday
,
3
June
2022

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”

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Friday
,
3
June
2022

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.

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Thursday
,
2
June
2022

1984 Battle of Amritsar - June 2: Inside Perspectives

"Let us join hands together to heal wounds… to all sections of Panjabis, I appeal - don’t shed blood, shed hatred.” - Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, during a live broadcast “But the Prime Minister had already decided she would shed blood if necessary.” - Mark Tully (BBC Journalist), Amritsar, Mrs.Gandhi's Last Battle Learn about the impact of 1984: https://sikhri.org/tags/june-1984

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Thursday
,
2
June
2022

1984 Battle of Amritsar - June 2: Panjab Sealed Off

Panjab is “Sealed off” to foreigners. Indian Army replaces Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) in Panjab. At least seven divisions of the army are deployed in the villages of Panjab. 

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Saturday
,
25
July
2009

1984 & You

Two major events took place in India, during 1984 in quick succession within a span of 5 month. The Indian Army attacked Akal Takhat Sahib in June, and an anti-Sikh genocidal campaign was undertaken by the ruling political party...

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Saturday
,
1
June
2013

Liv - 1984 Memories and Activism

This webinar will offer an overview of why and how the events of 1984 transpired in the way that they did. The presentation will then explore the symbology of "1984" as a term that holds resonance and power in the collective psyche today, and what connections can be drawn from the events to the wider discrimination against Sikhs both past and present. Using various mediums, including academic sources and art, the webinar will draw on a wider array of sources and portrayals to connect the events to the younger generation and look to the future.

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Tuesday
,
23
July
2013

June 1984 Myth vs. Reality

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Wednesday
,
24
July
2013

1984: Finding Your Personal Call to Action

For 25 years, the Indian government has failed to provide truth, justice, and reparations to victims and survivors of the June 1984 Army attack on Harmandir Sāhib and the November 1984 pogroms of Sikhs throughout India. This session explores what we, as individuals and a community, can do in response

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Friday
,
26
July
2013

1984: An Attempted Suppression of a Nation

Two major events took place in India, during 1984 in quick succession within a span of 5 month. The Indian Army attacked Akal Takhat Sahib in June, and an anti-Sikh genocidal campaign was undertaken by the ruling political party with...

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Saturday
,
1
November
2014

1984 – Re-evaluating Justice

Everyone is talking about 1984. In this video, Harinder Singh (CEO and Co-Founder of SikhRI) is talking about Justice - Build upon what was 1984 was about in terms of justice.

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Articles

Wednesday
,
18
December
2019

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.”

READ More ⟶
Tuesday
,
11
June
2019

Don't Ask, My Daughter

Tell me, Mother! What is the truth? What is a lie?

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Thursday
,
16
November
2017

1984 is in my DNA

Thirty-three years ago the world’s fourth largest army marched into Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, India.

READ More ⟶
Friday
,
16
June
2017

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.

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Thursday
,
3
November
2016

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.

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Saturday
,
6
June
2015

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.

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Monday
,
2
June
2014

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.

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Saturday
,
6
June
2015

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.

READ More ⟶
Thursday
,
3
November
2016

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.

READ More ⟶
Friday
,
16
June
2017

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.

READ More ⟶
Thursday
,
16
November
2017

1984 is in my DNA

Thirty-three years ago the world’s fourth largest army marched into Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, India.

READ More ⟶
Tuesday
,
11
June
2019

Don't Ask, My Daughter

Tell me, Mother! What is the truth? What is a lie?

READ More ⟶

Podcasts

Monday
,
29
November
2021

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.

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Thursday
,
10
June
2021

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. 

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Friday
,
5
June
2020

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.

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Wednesday
,
18
December
2019

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?

LISTEN NOW⟶
Wednesday
,
6
November
2019

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.

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Wednesday
,
6
November
2019

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.

LISTEN NOW⟶
Wednesday
,
18
December
2019

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?

LISTEN NOW⟶
Friday
,
5
June
2020

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.

LISTEN NOW⟶
Thursday
,
10
June
2021

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. 

LISTEN NOW⟶
Monday
,
29
November
2021

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.

LISTEN NOW⟶

Courses

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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.

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