Sikh Genocide

Sikh Genocide

"The assault, which the Sikhs themselves call the Ghallughara,66 was diabolically conceived not only to scathe the Sikh psyche but also to make the “sufficient moral effect from a military point of view not only on those who were present, but more especially throughout the Punjab.”67 That is how Brigadier Dyer had explained his intention when he came to Jallianwala Bagh, near the Golden Temple, to disperse an illegal assembly 65 years ago on 13 April 1919. Dyer had acted impulsively, on his own. Operation Blue Star was not only envisioned and rehearsed in advance, meticulously and in total secrecy, it also aimed at obtaining the maximum number of Sikh victims, largely devout pilgrims unconnected with the political agitation. The facts should speak for themselves." - Ram Narayan Kumar, Reduced to Ashes

Videos

Sunday
,
30
October
2022

The Making of a Genocide | The Genocide

In “My Bleeding Punjab,” Khushwant Singh speaks of the realization and empathy that arose from the 1984 Genocide. “I realized what Jews must have felt like in Nazi Germany. The killing assumed the proportion of a genocide of the Sikh community.”

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Sunday
,
30
October
2022

November 1984 | The Genocide

Was November 1984 a Genocide? In 1948, India, along with the General Assembly of the United Nations and The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, defined Genocide. 

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Saturday
,
31
October
2020

Genocide

How do we remember? How do we advocate? How do we survive? Watch this webinar with three leading voices in the November 1984 Anti-Sikh pogroms study.

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Saturday
,
10
June
2017

Ghallugharas: Politics of Genocide

The webinar will cover Guru Nanak Sahib’s Response, 18th Century vs 20th Century, State vs Sikh Narrative, 1984 Revelations, and the response today. 

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Saturday
,
12
November
2022

Commissions & Omissions | The Genocide

Multiple Commissions, Committees and Special Investigation Teams (SIT) were set up to investigate the Genocide.

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Sunday
,
13
November
2022

Acknowledgement & Guilty Secrets of November 1984 | The Genocide

So what makes this historic event a genocide? "It was not riot, it was genocide instead. Hundreds of innocent people were killed. The pain of the kin of riot victims cannot be compensated by even paying crores of rupees."

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Tuesday
,
31
October
2023

1984 Genocide: Relentless Pursuit of Justice in Indian Courts

Harinder Singh’s conversation covers a range of themes with Mr. Harvinder Singh Phoolka from Sikh, Panjabi, Indian, and International perspectives.

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Monday
,
22
April
2024

Exploring the Sikh Genocide

Harinder Singh, Senior Fellow, Research and Policy, at the Sikh Research Institute, engages Sukhman Singh, Co-Founder and Director of Ensaaf, in a discussion on the occurrence, breadth and aftermath of the Sikh Genocide.

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Tuesday
,
30
April
2024

1984 Path of the Warrior Saints

Join Harinder Singh and Mo Dhaliwal as they delve into the profound experiences of the Third Ghallughara (large-scale massacre) in India in 1984 and beyond.

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Monday
,
20
May
2024

1984 Path of the Warrior Saints

Harinder Singh, Senior Fellow of Research and Policy at the Sikh Research Institute, delves deeper into the themes of Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation, and Prevention.

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Articles

Tuesday
,
4
June
2024

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.

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Tuesday
,
26
March
2024

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.

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Tuesday
,
13
February
2024

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...

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Monday
,
31
October
2022

I Remember…

Genocide doesn’t happen in isolation. It is a combination of deep-seated hatred and racism. There are many who will deny the 1984 Genocide. But I remember…

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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.”

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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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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 ⟶
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 ⟶
Monday
,
31
October
2022

I Remember…

Genocide doesn’t happen in isolation. It is a combination of deep-seated hatred and racism. There are many who will deny the 1984 Genocide. But I remember…

READ More ⟶
Tuesday
,
13
February
2024

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...

READ More ⟶
Tuesday
,
26
March
2024

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.

READ More ⟶

Podcasts

Saturday
,
9
November
2024

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.

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Thursday
,
7
November
2024

Heartbeats of ‘84

Join host Santbir Singh as he delves into the profound impact of 1984 through the personal reflections of guest Pritpal Singh.

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Saturday
,
29
June
2024

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.

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Friday
,
28
June
2024

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.

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Sunday
,
2
June
2024

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.”

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Thursday
,
2
May
2024

1984 Path of the Warrior Saints

Join Harinder Singh and Mo Dhaliwal as they delve into the profound experiences of the Third Ghallughara (large-scale massacre) in India in 1984 and beyond.

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.

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Friday
,
6
November
2020

Genocide

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.

LISTEN NOW⟶
Friday
,
10
November
2023

1984 Genocide: Relentless Pursuit of Justice in Indian Courts

It has been 39 years since the 1984 Sikh Genocide orchestrated by the Indian government. Why is the legal course of action still necessary? What outcomes have been achieved so far, and what else is being pursued?

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Wednesday
,
24
April
2024

Exploring the Sikh Genocide

The discussion aims to shed light on the systematic campaign of violence perpetrated by the Indian State against the Sikh community, which led to thousands of disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

LISTEN NOW⟶
Thursday
,
2
May
2024

1984 Path of the Warrior Saints

Join Harinder Singh and Mo Dhaliwal as they delve into the profound experiences of the Third Ghallughara (large-scale massacre) in India in 1984 and beyond.

LISTEN NOW⟶
Sunday
,
2
June
2024

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.”

LISTEN NOW⟶

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