1984 Anti-Sikh Violence Commemorated, Justice Still Sought

An event has been held to commemorate those who died during anti-Sikh riots in India four decades ago. Candles were lit in remembrance in Birmingham’s Centenary Square, where survivors of the violence from 31 October 1984 shared their harrowing testimonies. Sikh societies and charities organized Saturday’s vigil to honor the victims and express solidarity with survivors who continue their pursuit of justice. Kuldeep Singh Deol, one of the organisers, remarked: “It was a very emotional sombre gathering, we didn’t just have Sikhs we had all kinds of communities attend the event.” The attacks on India’s Sikh communities occurred subsequent to the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, after which rioters began targeting Sikhs in Delhi. The announcement of her death ignited violent assaults against Sikhs by her supporters in Delhi and other regions, leading to the deaths of nearly 3,000 individuals within days. “It’s is a very emotional thing, because [it’s been] 40 years and still no justice,” Mr Singh Deol further stated. He added: “People lost family members, they were thrown into rivers, tortured, assassinated. “People still don’t know if their family members are in jail whether they were actually killed, some elders just passed away looking at the doorway hoping their family member would come home.” Earlier in 1984, Gandhi had ordered military intervention against The Golden Temple in Amritsar, an operation during which many Sikhs were killed. Approximately 400 individuals, including soldiers and pilgrims, were killed during this army raid, known as Operation Blue Star. However, Sikh groups dispute this figure, asserting that thousands died. The raid had been commanded following a demand for a separate homeland, named Khalistan, for Sikhs in northern India.