2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the massacre of Sikhs in November 1984. Following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Ghandi by her Sikh bodyguards, Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Beant Singh, anti-Sikh violence broke out across regions of India. Ghandi was assassinated for her role in orchestrating the invasion of the holiest shrine in the Sikh faith, Sri Harmandir Sahib. This could be seen as akin to the British army attacking St Paul's Cathedral or the Italian army attacking the Vatican. The violence that broke out in November is often described as a reaction to or revenge for the assassination of Ghandi, however in reality this was a corrupt, unjust and discriminatory society using her assassination as an excuse to persecute the Sikh minority.
When reflecting upon the events of November 1984, we hear of stories of homes and businesses destroyed, families burnt alive and other unspeakable horrors. Stories of Sikhs going into hiding, escaping with their lives barely intact strikes an emotion that non of us can truly know. It is therefore imperative that we remember these stories and learn the history that is November 1984. This year, we bring 4 books that we recommend to help build your understanding around the events of November 1984 and enable you to understand the lasting impact that these events, which occurred only 40 years ago, have on the present day.
The Kaurs of 1984: The Untold, Unheard Stories of Sikh Women by Sanam Wazir
New to 2024, Wazir captures the stories of women who were stranded inside the Golden Temple, stood with the cause of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and those experienced the massacre of November 1984 first hand. Based on interviews and extensive historical research, Wazir's work has detailed stories of grief, betrayal and loss. He has brought to light these forgotten stories. Sanam Wazir is an advocate for human rights and has moblised support from over half a million people worldwide and has authored work such as ‘An Era of Injustice for the 1984 Sikh Massacre’, ‘The 1984 Sikh Massacre as Witnessed by a 15-year-old’ and ‘The Continuing Injustice of the 1984 Sikh Massacre’, which are published by Amnesty International, etc. You can get your copy of 'The Kaurs of 1984' using the link below.
I Accuse… The Anti Sikh Violence of 1984 by Jarnail Singh
“I Accuse: The Anti-Sikh Violence of 1984” by Jarnail Singh delves into the horrific events of 1984, when more than 3,000 Sikhs were massacred in just three days. Singh, a journalist outraged by the lack of justice even decades later, revisits the trauma endured by survivors and the enduring wounds within the community. His dramatic protest—throwing a shoe at Home Minister P. Chidambaram—symbolized the frustration over the state’s failure to hold perpetrators accountable. Through personal stories and a critical look at the government’s response, Singh questions why justice remains elusive and examines the political and systemic failures behind the violence. The book stands as a passionate defense of democracy, emphasizing that the right to life and justice should be protected for every citizen, regardless of faith.
1984: India's Guilty Secret by Pav Singh
Published in 2017 by Kashi House, Pav Singh's book covers the atrocities that occurred over the three days in November 1984 that resulted in 3000 people being killed in Delhi alone. During this time, armed mobs brutally and systematically butchered, torched and raped members of the minority Sikh community living in Delhi and elsewhere. Singh's book is based on victim testimonies and official accounts, it also highlights that fact that politicians were involved as well as police assistance. This book seeks to expose the countless crimes against the Sikh community during November 1984.
Lost in History: 1984 Reconstructed by Gunisha Kaur
‘Lost in History 1984 Reconstructed’ by Gunisha Kaur, delivers a clear and brief interpretation of the human rights violations against Sikhs, leading up to the attack on Darbar Sahib, Amritsar in 1984. Specialising in human rights research, the Anesthesiologist shares her personal learning experience gained from previous generations, and empathetically talks about the traumatic repercussions the Sikhs had endured pre and post these series of events.
Comprised of ten chapters, Kaur rightfully starts by stating key doctrines in Sikhi; the fundamental values that forever remain at the centre of the Sikh nation. While introducing the meaning of ‘Genocide’ in the first chapter, the author makes strong linkages to the term via explaining and evidencing how complexities arose at which these ideals were challenged in Sikh History, from the time of Guru Nanak through to the events of 1984. Kaur further investigates the series of occurrences in 1984, running through the timeline of the planning and execution of ‘Operation Bluestar’, aftermath following the assassination of Indra Gandhi and the ‘Disappearances in Punjab.’ Not forgetting the necessity to highlight such revolutionary figures and their role in the Sikh struggle, including the likes of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Jaswant Singh Kalra and many more. You can purchase copies of Lost in History: 1984 Reconstructed from the Naujwani website.
If you want to learn more then check out our 1984 book collection using the link below. We have a range of books covering the events of both June and November 1984.
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