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

Thursday
,
31
October
2024

November 1984: The Sikh Genocide

In November 1984, following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, a horrific wave of violence erupted against the Sikh community in India, especially in Delhi.

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Friday
,
18
October
2024

1984: Witness, Document, Justice

Join SikhRI as we pay tribute to those who answered the call of humanity during those dark days in Delhi. Featuring an esteemed panel of historians, activists, and legal advocates, this event sheds light on their courageous efforts.

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Sunday
,
30
June
2024

None Compares to You!

In this video Inni Kaur shares her profoundly personal and spiritual journey to Sri Harimandar Sahib.

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Saturday
,
1
June
2024

1984 Ghallughara: Battle of Amritsar

40 years ago, the world witnessed the desecration of Harimandar Sahib (Golden Temple) by the Indian Army. This video revisits “Operation Blue Star” through archival images and interviews, offering a deeper understanding of this complex historical event.

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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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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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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
,
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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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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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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Monday
,
31
October
2022

The Beginning of a Genocide | The Genocide

On this day, 38 years ago, India’s Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, is shot dead by two of her bodyguards at Safdarjung road residence. She was rushed to the AIIMS and an announcement was made specifying that both of the bodyguards were Sikhs.‍

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Tuesday
,
1
November
2022

No Sikh Was Safe | The Genocide

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. 

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Articles

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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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.

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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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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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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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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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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.

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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.

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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⟶
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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