Seeing photos, hearing stories, and watching interviews from survivors of the 1984 Sikh Genocide has always left me disheartened & filled with anger. A rubber factory that belonged to my Pardada Ji (Great-grandfather) and was the main source of income for all eight of his children’s families, was set on fire by attackers on November 1st, 1984. This October 31st marked thirty-six years since the start of the 1984 Sikh Genocide when more than 30,000 Sikhs were killed and 2,000,000 were displaced all around India.1 On, Oct 31, 1984, Prime Minitster Indira Gandhi, was shot dead by two of her bodyguards in the aftermath of Operation Bluestar on Sachkand Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji. Over six days, Sikhs across India were brutally murdered, looted, and raped by mobs assembled by local leaders.1
When I reflect on what I can do to pay respect to the lives of all of the Shaheeds, victims, and broken families from 1984, I am often left with a feeling of helplessness. I try to raise as much awareness as possible through social media and conversations, both of which are extremely important but short-lived. I got insight into what we can all promise to do to ensure that the motive of erasing and humiliating our Sikh identity used in 1984 will not be successful, while attending Manvir Singh Khalsa Veer Ji’s “1984: What the World Witnessed” presentation. In the presentation, Veer Ji added this quote from Rubin Paul Singh, “You can attack us, you can destroy our buildings, but our Guru-inspired spirit is so strong, you will never break us...never.”
The presentation taught me taking a step forward in our journey as Sikhs is one part of paying respect to every Shaheed from 1984. This step can come alive in many different ways including strengthening our knowledge of our Itihaas (history), getting on a consistent schedule for reciting Nitnem, or embarking on a journey to commit to keeping our kesh. Before this year, I had constantly put off taking steps to strengthen my Sikhi because I felt unmotivated and didn’t see it as something of urgency. However, after listening to the presentation, I realized how taking my journey within Sikhi seriously is not only something I must do for myself, but also necessary to make sure that--within my Sangat--our ‘Guru-inspired spirit’ continues to prevail.
But this requires a shift in perspective… At a young age, we find it easier to push taking a new step or commitment to tomorrow in our journeys within Sikhi. Bhagat Sheikh Fareed Ji says:
ਫਰੀਦਾ ਕਾਲੀ ਜਿਨੀ ਨ ਰਾਵਿਆ ਧਉਲੀ ਰਾਵੈ ਕੋਇ ॥
Fareedhaa Kaalanaee Jinee N Raaviaa Dhhoulee Raavai Koe
Fareed, those who did not enjoy their Husband Lord when their hair was black - hardly any of them enjoy Him when their hair turns grey.
ਕਰਿ ਸਾਂਈ ਸਿਉ ਪਿਰਹੜੀ ਰੰਗੁ ਨਵੇਲਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੧੨॥
Kar Saanee Sio Pireharree Rang Navaelaa Hoe ||12||
So be in love with the Lord starting now, this love will be evergreen.
Salok Sheikh Fareed Ji, Ank 1378 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
I chose these lines from Bhagat Sheikh Fareed Ji because they convey the importance of not waiting for tomorrow to take a step further for your commitment and love for Guru Maharaj. Guru Nanak Dev Ji collected the compositions of Bhagat Sheikh Fareed Ji from his 12th successor, and Guru Arjan Dev Ji made them a part of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In these lines, Bhagat Sheikh Fareed Ji teaches us that, at a young age, one easily gets distracted by worldly affairs, or Maya. We get lost in things like gossip, gaining recognition, lies, cheating, and the Panj Chor (five thieves including lust, anger, greed, attachment, and ego). When we focus our attention on these distractions and don’t work to control them, we further push ourselves away from learning and applying Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s teachings and further away from our Guru Maharaj. This highlights that no matter what stage or part of your journey in Sikhi you are, once you start immersing yourself in Guru Maharaj’s teachings and love, this love will only continue to grow.
Thirty-six years after the inhumane attacks that unfolded from October 31st to November 5th, 1984, the cries of each mother, sister, brother, and father who lost their loved one can still be heard. This year let’s promise to move a step above spreading awareness by making a promise to keep our powerful ‘Guru-inspired spirit’ alive.
Sources
Singh, Dilpreet. “Sikh Genocide - November 1984.” Medium, Medium, 21 Dec. 2015, medium.com/@singhdilpreet/sikh-genocide-november-1984-3bf84ea3e381.
About the Author
Prabhleen Kaur
Prabhleen Kaur is a 20-year-old student studying Neurobiology and Physiology and Nonprofit Leadership at University of Maryland, College Park. She has a strong passion for equal accessibility in healthcare and racial equity, and hopes to pursue a career as a dentist in the future. Contact Prabhleen Kaur if you have any questions about college, non-profit work, and/or pre-health studies.
Email: pbatra@umd.edu