The year 1984 was very tragic and traumatic for Sikhs, as they had to endure gruesome attacks in both June and November. Sikhs around the world should work to keep the memories of 1984 alive, so tragedies like these will not be repeated. This handout will share a dialogue about the November 1984 Sikh Genocide.

What happened to Sikhs in November of 1984?

In the first week of November 1984, thousands of Sikhs were massacred in India’s capital city, New Delhi, as well as in other parts of India. Sikh women were gang raped, thousands of children orphaned, and Sikh residences, businesses and religious institutions were ransacked and destroyed in an organized manner with the open complicity of political and civil authorities.

How was the Sikh Genocide executed?

The Sikh Genocide was planned as the mobs of thousands were well equipped with uniform size iron rods, restricted inflammable powder, kerosene and petrol. Killer mobs targeted Sikhs with the help of official records.

What was the role of the State during the Sikh Genocide?

The state owned and controlled media was instigating mobs to take hostile action against Sikhs. Politicians such as Jagdish Tytler were leading mobs to hunt Sikhs. The police did not take any action to defend the Sikhs, and instead worked in unison with the killers in many places. The executive branch did not request for help from the army even though it was available nearby. The state deliberately failed its citizens.

Can the killings of the Sikhs be termed as riots?

NO — this was genocide because only Sikhs were killed in a systematic and planned manner. Sikh men, women, and children were targeted for their religion and distinctive appearance so it should be called a Sikh Genocide as defined in Article 2 of The United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Has justice been served to Sikhs in the biggest democracy of the world?

NO — since 1984, justice has been deliberately delayed and denied to Sikhs. Even after the establishment of ten State Commissions to investigate the November 1984 Sikh Genocide, the culprits are free and enjoying powerful political and state positions. On the other hand, Sikh victims of this genocide are dying awaiting justice. Due to the state’s failure to punish the culprits of the 1984 Sikh Genocide, Muslims in Ayodhya, U.P. (1992), and Ahmedabad, Gujarat (2002) as well as Christians in Kandhmal, Orrisa (2008) have become victims of other massacres. The existence of minorities in India is clearly threatened.

How have the Sikhs responded to this genocide?

Sikhs all over the world have responded in their own ways. They are still fighting for justice. Sikh institutions and media have highlighted this genocide; articles, books and movies have been produced and candle vigils are being held. A “One Minute of Silence” at 6:00 pm on November 1st is being observed every year. Sikhs from Canada have started the Blood Donation Campaign to commemorate the memory of the victims of Sikh Genocide and have saved more than 55 thousand precious lives in Canada. After North America and Australia, this life saving campaign against genocidal mindset is spreading around the world. Sikh Nation requests all the justice and peace loving people of the world to become a part of this humanitarian campaign. Human rights violations should never be condoned.

On the 8th August, 1922 A.D., the police arrested five Singhs for cutting Acacia wood for langar (community kitchen) from uncultivated land attached to Gurdwara Guru Ka Bagh. Everyone was sentenced to a fine of rupees fifty and mprlsonment for six months on charge of stealing wood from the land of the Mahant. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee started an agitation against this excess of the Government. Mr. B.T., the additional police superintendent started beating with clubs the Singhs taking part in the agitation. On the 13th September, the beating was stopped on motivation from Reverend C.F. Andrews and Singhs were arrested and sent to prisons.

One day a squad of army pensioners led by Subedar Amar Singh Dhaliwal from Kapurthala state courted arrest. Magistrate Aslam Khan sentenced those Singhs to imprisonment of two and a half years and a fine of one hundred rupees each. Those Singhs were boarded on a train from Amritsar to Attak on the night of the 29th October, 1922 A.D. The train stopped at Rawalpindi on the 30th October and moved on after change of staff and taking water for the locomotive. The Sikh community of Gurdwara Panja Sahib on that route got ready food and drink to serve the Singhs of the squad, took it to the railway station early in the morning of the 31st October and started waiting for the train to arrive.

The station master told them, “The train shall not stop at this station. You have made these arrangements for nothing.” Bhai Karam Singh replied, “Baba Nanak had stopped a mountain with one hand. Cannot his Sikhs stop a train ?” At ten o’clock, seeing the train approaching, Bhai Karam Singh lay on the railway line. Next to him Bhai Partap Singh, Sardar Ganga Singh, Sardar Charan Singh, Sardar Nihal Singh, S. Tara Singh, S. Fakir Singh, S. Kalyan Singh and many other Singhs and Kaurs (female of Singh) squatted on the track. Seeing the Singhs lying on the track, the driver of the train blew the whistle time and again but the Singhs did not budge as if they had not heard the whistle at all. The engine ground the bones of Bhai Karam Singh and Bhai Partap Singh to pulp and the others suffered injuries. The train stopped. Bhai Partap Singh said to Sangat (Sikh devotees), “Serve the hungry Singhs in the train first. You can take care of us afterwards.” The train halted for one and a half hours. The Sikhs served the Singhs in the train whole-heartedly and then turned to the injured. Bhai Karam Singh, thirty year old son of Bhai Bhagwan Dass Mahant of Kesgarh Sahib died after a few hours. On the next day Bhai Partap Singh, twenty-four years of age, son of S. Sarup Singh goldsmith of Akal Garh, Gujranwala attained martyrdom. Before attaining martyrdom he recited ” Kabira sant Muye kiya Roviye jo apne greh jaye rovo saakat bapre jo hato haat bikaye” and instructed his 18 years old wife that never cry over his death otherwise his sacrifice will be wasted. It is said that she never cried her whole live and bravely recited Gaddi the Chhand written in honour of these Train Martyrs and was also engrossed in “Naam Simran”.

when the train-driver was asked the reason for stopping the train, he replied, ‘When the train hit the Singhs lying on the track, vacuum lever dropped out of my hand and the train stopped. I did not apply the brakes.”

Sources provided by:

Sardar HP Luthera (Great Grandson of Shaheed Partap Singh hpluthera@xtra.co.nz
Santok singh Jagdev of Sikh missionary society "Bed-Time stories -7"

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Sikh Genocide – 1 November 1984