In June 1984 the Indian Government launched the largest military operation against its own citizens in its history. This attack led to the desecration of Sri Harmandir Sahib and killed thousands of Sikhs. Before the attack, Sikhs protested for reasonable socio-economic rights outlined in the Anandpur Resolution. On June 1st, the day of the Fifth Guru’s Martyrdom, the army besieged the complex and attacked without any warning or negotiation. This attack lasted for ten days and was a direct attack on Sikhi.
On October 31st, Indira Gandhi was assassinated in response to the attacks of June. After this, her son and the ruling Congress Party organized three days of killings of Sikhs. Some have mislabelled this genocide as a Hindu vs Sikh riot, but in truth it was a one-sided killing of Sikhs. The government organized the transport of criminals to Dehli who were ordered to kill and rape Sikhs. The media also spread rumours to encourage hatred against Sikhs at this time.
In India, the common person was socially and spiritually oppressed. Sikhi teaches us to become Saintly Soldiers who serve and defend others from injustice and oppression. The events of 1984 were targeted at Sikhi rather than any individual person. Let us all remember what happened in 1984 and the great sacrifices of our Shaheeds of this time.
