Security and safety is achievable when ordered from those in command. Without their support and authority, it’s chaos.
Brig. A. S. Brar (W-122) explained that he was posted in Delhi as Commandant of Rajputana Rifles Regimental Center during the days of riots.
The 1984 anti-Sikh violence is one of the most elaborate cover-up exercises by successive central governments over the past two decades.
Many might not know that the 1984 attacks were actually repulsed at first. Although the attackers’ initial attacks were fought off at first, they waited to return stronger.
How were the Sikhs found? What processes were enacted to pinpoint the targets? Identification was made through a variety of methods.
There was large discussion about the root of the attacks. It was concluded that they were likely organized by Congressmen or their supported organizations and associations.
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.
“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
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.
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.
38 years ago today, a mob of men pounced on the cavalcade of the president of India, Giani Zail Singh. Luckily however, the president’s limousine drove past them before the assailants could reach the convoy.
The Sikh Genocide was much more than causation. It had been festering for a while.
Over the past forty years, more than ten commissions and inquiry committees have been set up to find the truth behind the November 1984 Sikh genocide, probing the role of police and politicians and seeking to identify the culprits.
This interview delves into the profound reflections of author Ajeet Cour, a witness to both the 1947 Partition and the 1984 Ghallughara, and her daughter, artist Arpana Caur.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
Dr. Pritpal Singh shares his reflections on the events of 1984 in India against Sikhs, where many innocent lives were lost.
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.
Thirty-three years ago the world’s fourth largest army marched into Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, India.
Tell me, Mother! What is the truth? What is a lie?
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.
Join host Santbir Singh as he delves into the profound impact of 1984 through the personal reflections of guest Pritpal Singh.
To mark the 40th year of the violence of 1984, we reflect on the events that unfolded in India and make connections with the ongoing and durable violence against Sikhs, Muslims, and other minority groups in India and the diaspora.
Manvinder Kaur and Santbir Singh explore the events of 1984 that forever transformed the landscape of Sikh history and politics in India.
Santbir Singh delves into the complex and sometimes controversial legacy of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale during the events of June 1984.
Through vivid imagery and heartfelt verses, Inni Kaur revisits 1984, weaving threads of courage, resilience, and unwavering devotion. Join this lyrical exploration today.
What would Guru Nanak Sahib do in 1984? Listen to this discussion between Harinder Singh and the Sikh Cast host, Manpreet Singh.
Why do I care about the violence that occurred during 1984…why should I care?
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.
How do we remember? How do we advocate? How do we survive? In this episode we feature three leading voices in the November 1984 Anti-Sikh pogroms study.
Join Harinder Singh and Manpreet Singh as they discuss 1984 and explore its parallels with human rights movements today.
Join us as we explore the recent rise of literature, art, film, and photography focusing on the anti-Sikh violence of 1984.
Embark on a journey to explore the Ghallugharas (large-scale massacres and battles) of 1984. Discover the resilience and sacrifices of the Sikhs and uncover the critical lessons they impart for our present and future.
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the current crisis involving Sikhs, Panjab, India, and the diaspora, with a focus on the historical context primarily from 1984 to 2023.
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.