1st November marks the anniversary of the Sikh
Genocide of 1984, which was orchestrated by then then government after
the assassination of Indira Gandhi, who was responsible for the June
1984 Sikh holocaust.
Although Mohandas Gandhi (known as Mahatma Gandhi)
was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a hardliner Hindu (part of the RSS),
there was no black-lash against any particular religion or community.
When Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in 1991 by Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, a
Hindu Tamil lady, there was no black-lash against a particular religion
or community.
However, when on 31st October 1984, Indira Gandhi was
assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards, Sikhs across North-India were
systematically killed, looted, raped and their property and Gurdwaras
attacked and burnt. This bloody violence lasted for 3 days and was so
well-planned and organized that it was evident that a genocide of Sikhs
had been planned even before Indira Gandhi had been killed. I would
recommend reading the books “I accuse...” written by Jarnail Singh ji
and “Government-organised carnage, November 1984” written by Gurcharan
Singh Babbar ji.
How can Sikhs forget this dark chapter of India’s
history? May we never fail or shy away in remembering genocides and
massacres. By remembering them and still standing strong with our
dastaar (turban) proudly tied on our head that had then been ripped off
by the then perpetrators; with the sanctity of our Kes (unshorn hair)
kept intact that had then been forcefully cut by paid barbers by the
then perpetrators; our heart and soul filled with Sri Guru Granth Sahib
Ji that had been burnt and desecrated by the then perpetrators; our
mouth and mind absorbed in the Divine’s Name that was thought to have
been silenced by the then perpetrators; and our hands and feet forever
ready to selflessly defend and serve humanity that were thought to have
been destroyed by the then perpetrators... then we can become a
testimony to the truth that at the end evil was not allowed to win.
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