We remember the tragic events that unfolded in India during the period of June 1 – 7, 1984. It was a scorching day in Amritsar on June 1, 1984, where thousands of Sikhs gathered at the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) amid months of unrest throughout Punjab. The Indian government imposed a strict curfew, cutting off all communication and barring journalists from Amritsar. That day, the Indian Prime Minister ordered Operation Blue Star—a military assault with 12,000 troops, tanks, artillery, and helicopters— resulting in the loss of thousands of lives.
Forty years later, the pain and impact of 1984 continue to resonate within the Sikh community. Those responsible for these atrocities remain largely unaccountable. Sikhs face hate crimes and bias in myriad forms and the new threat is through transnational repression, with threats and intimidation extending to Sikh communities in the United States, Canada, and beyond.
we honor those who suffered and died in 1984, we continue to strive for a future free from fear and hate.
