1984: A Sikh Story on BBC

For our TLH readers in the UK – this documentary is premiering tonight on BBC One at 10:55pm.

1984_sikhstory_1.jpgJust over 25 years ago, the storming of The Golden Temple, the most sacred of Sikh shrines, by the Indian Army led to protests around the world. Sonia Deol embarks on a personal journey to unravel the events of 1984, an iconic year for Sikhs. It culminated in thousands of deaths including the assassination of the Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi. The bloody aftermath that followed so shocks Sonia that she is forced to reappraise the depth of her commitment to her faith. [link]

As with every retelling of this part of history, the question is whether the documentary will be controversial.  One article suggests the BBC may be stirring up a “hornet’s nest of controversy,”

[It] is likely to prove controversial with some Sikh groups because of its portrayal of the militant Sikh preacher Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.  It is also likely to draw the ire of the Indian government for its story on how it reacted following the assassination of Indira Gandhi. [link]

Nevertheless, this is an event that has often been ignored in international media – so i’m sure many in the community will welcome the coverage.  If any of TLH readers do happen to catch the show tonight, please share your thoughts!


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49 Responses to “1984: A Sikh Story on BBC”

  1. zorawar singh says:

    i wish i lived in uk to see this documentary on 1984

  2. zorawar singh says:

    i wish i lived in uk to see this documentary on 1984

  3. jas says:

    u can see online and msy be bbc india i am sure they will paly in india to. u dnt need to be in UK to see this documentry. BBC Please let us knw abt India time and post on youtube to,

    Thanks

  4. jas says:

    u can see online and msy be bbc india i am sure they will paly in india to. u dnt need to be in UK to see this documentry. BBC Please let us knw abt India time and post on youtube to,

    Thanks

  5. V Singh says:

    This was a very moving documentary, but still never told the full truth of what the Indian army & police did during '84!! The sikh's will never be able to call India there homeland after what the Hindu's did!!!!
    <a href="http://www.carnage84.com” target=”_blank”>www.carnage84.com

  6. V Singh says:

    This was a very moving documentary, but still never told the full truth of what the Indian army & police did during '84!! The sikh's will never be able to call India there homeland after what the Hindu's did!!!!
    http://www.carnage84.com

  7. MChopra says:

    I do agree with a lot that was shown in this program, I also do feel the pain that was faced by the common man, the Sikh on the streets and those who lost their lives. I cannot explain how sad I am to hear this and read about it over and over again. I wish the government of India do give some much sought after justice to the people who suffered. BUT, I do not entirely agree with the portrayal of Bindrawaley, he was not a saint, what he started was not a religious movement with guns and ammunitions, it was a political stint backed by external sources. He may have started as a saint but he certainly did not end up as one. He has been shown to be the front face for the creation of Khalisthan by extremist Sikhs all over. He has been shown to be a Martyr in many of the gurudwaras one visits out side of India. I feel it was a mistake by the Indian government to attack inside the gurudwara (be it any, let alone the Golden temple), they should have tried a different approach before taking such a drastic step. I also feel that the retaliation by hindu's on sikhs was a barbaric inhuman act, being a hindu I cannot even imagine a punishment for these people who were responsible for the massacre. I would also like to say that note should be made to the movement of Sikhs towards a separate state of Khalisthan and do visit websites which promote this movement. I feel everyone involved was involved.

  8. MChopra says:

    I do agree with a lot that was shown in this program, I also do feel the pain that was faced by the common man, the Sikh on the streets and those who lost their lives. I cannot explain how sad I am to hear this and read about it over and over again. I wish the government of India do give some much sought after justice to the people who suffered. BUT, I do not entirely agree with the portrayal of Bindrawaley, he was not a saint, what he started was not a religious movement with guns and ammunitions, it was a political stint backed by external sources. He may have started as a saint but he certainly did not end up as one. He has been shown to be the front face for the creation of Khalisthan by extremist Sikhs all over. He has been shown to be a Martyr in many of the gurudwaras one visits out side of India. I feel it was a mistake by the Indian government to attack inside the gurudwara (be it any, let alone the Golden temple), they should have tried a different approach before taking such a drastic step. I also feel that the retaliation by hindu's on sikhs was a barbaric inhuman act, being a hindu I cannot even imagine a punishment for these people who were responsible for the massacre. I would also like to say that note should be made to the movement of Sikhs towards a separate state of Khalisthan and do visit websites which promote this movement. I feel everyone involved was involved.

  9. Sanjay Singh says:

    I saw this documentary, which I found very moving, but it rather worried me that it left Sonia Deol wondering whether she should start wearing a turban and using her real Sikh name. Religions can and do change with the times, but there is nothing to stop Sonia from using her real Sikh name in her private life when she is off the tv (unless she so much enjoys that fame). Many journalists and authors use a 'non de plume' for published work. And does she not realise that even in India, most Sikh women, including those baptised, do not wear turbans? If she is really concerned to re-discover the roots of her faith she should think more about more her morals – the ideals of equality and tolerance that are at the heart of the Sikh faith. And to exemplify these she could perhaps give up the Mercedes Benz car she drives around in. Sell it, and give the money to some charitable cause that works for women, the poor, and the disadvantaged.

  10. Sanjay Singh says:

    I saw this documentary, which I found very moving, but it rather worried me that it left Sonia Deol wondering whether she should start wearing a turban and using her real Sikh name. Religions can and do change with the times, but there is nothing to stop Sonia from using her real Sikh name in her private life when she is off the tv (unless she so much enjoys that fame). Many journalists and authors use a 'non de plume' for published work. And does she not realise that even in India, most Sikh women, including those baptised, do not wear turbans? If she is really concerned to re-discover the roots of her faith she should think more about more her morals – the ideals of equality and tolerance that are at the heart of the Sikh faith. And to exemplify these she could perhaps give up the Mercedes Benz car she drives around in. Sell it, and give the money to some charitable cause that works for women, the poor, and the disadvantaged.

  11. jagdish singh says:

    pl help me to see this in indonesia also

  12. jagdish singh says:

    pl help me to see this in indonesia also

  13. Never 4get 1984 says:

    You can watch this video on
    <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer” target=”_blank”>www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer and search for 1984- sikh story which was on 10th January at 10.55pm.

  14. Never 4get 1984 says:

    You can watch this video on
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer and search for 1984- sikh story which was on 10th January at 10.55pm.

  15. jas says:

    is there any way we can watch outside UK ????? please download to you tube so everyone can watch and share around the world.

  16. jas says:

    is there any way we can watch outside UK ????? please download to you tube so everyone can watch and share around the world.

  17. jas says:

    hey freinds i got it
    For those outside the UK, download the programme below.

    http://rapidshare.co…y.mp4.part1.rar
    http://rapidshare.co…y.mp4.part2.rar

  18. jas says:

    hey freinds i got it
    For those outside the UK, download the programme below.

    http://rapidshare.co…y.mp4.part1.rar
    http://rapidshare.co…y.mp4.part2.rar

  19. Kam says:

    I would like to commend Sonia for bringing a sensitive part of Sikh History to light. I would encourage Sonia through her contacts within the BBC to bring more Sikh programmes to our screens. As a Sikh community we should work 'together' to create awarness of our identity and religion. We should see the positives of this documentry opposed to attacking. It very easy to criticise but credit should be given were due. Well done Sonia!

  20. Kam says:

    I would like to commend Sonia for bringing a sensitive part of Sikh History to light. I would encourage Sonia through her contacts within the BBC to bring more Sikh programmes to our screens. As a Sikh community we should work 'together' to create awarness of our identity and religion. We should see the positives of this documentry opposed to attacking. It very easy to criticise but credit should be given were due. Well done Sonia!

  21. sehj says:

    http://www.demonoid.com/files/details/2096943/232

    for anyone looking for the torrent go to the above link.

  22. sehj says:

    http://www.demonoid.com/files/details/2096943/232

    for anyone looking for the torrent go to the above link.

  23. Daljit Raj Singh. says:

    An excellant programme, which was a long time coming.
    Daljit .

  24. Daljit Raj Singh. says:

    An excellant programme, which was a long time coming.
    Daljit .

  25. Ramthrax says:

    Khalistan will never be. Period.

  26. Ramthrax says:

    Khalistan will never be. Period.

  27. ravinder singh says:

    how does general brar live with himself ?? he should convert to some other religion or become an atheist for all i care …

    listening to the first hand experiences gave me goosebumps ..

  28. ravinder singh says:

    how does general brar live with himself ?? he should convert to some other religion or become an atheist for all i care …

    listening to the first hand experiences gave me goosebumps ..

  29. Bhan Singh says:

    For the sangats benefit I would like to say that the real reason for Sant Jarnail Singh's entry into the Golden Temple complex is often over-looked. He came in August 1982 to do ardas at Akal Takht to start a morcha to secure the release of Bhai Amrik Singh and Baba Tara Singh. That was all. Surprising isn't it, but then the truth usually is as it doesn't fit our pre-conceived ideas.
    It was later that the Akali Dal led by Sant Harchand Singh Longowal added this to their list of demands contained in the Anandpur sahib mata.
    It was Sant Longowal that persuaded Sant Jarnail Singh to lend his support to the Akali's and remain
    in darbar sahib after Amrik Singh and Baba Tara Singh had been released in August 1983.
    It was also Sant Longowal that got Sant Jarnail Singh to take an oath along with all the other major Akali and student leaders that if the miltary attacked the complex, it would be over their dead bodies.

  30. Bhan Singh says:

    For the sangats benefit I would like to say that the real reason for Sant Jarnail Singh's entry into the Golden Temple complex is often over-looked. He came in August 1982 to do ardas at Akal Takht to start a morcha to secure the release of Bhai Amrik Singh and Baba Tara Singh. That was all. Surprising isn't it, but then the truth usually is as it doesn't fit our pre-conceived ideas.
    It was later that the Akali Dal led by Sant Harchand Singh Longowal added this to their list of demands contained in the Anandpur sahib mata.
    It was Sant Longowal that persuaded Sant Jarnail Singh to lend his support to the Akali's and remain
    in darbar sahib after Amrik Singh and Baba Tara Singh had been released in August 1983.
    It was also Sant Longowal that got Sant Jarnail Singh to take an oath along with all the other major Akali and student leaders that if the miltary attacked the complex, it would be over their dead bodies.

  31. Jag says:

    I notice this documentary didn't cover alot of the aspects of the movement and was veru government sided. To those who thing the movement was create Khalistan please read the book THE GALLANT DEFENDER by AR Darshi a hindu himseld and governmetn official during the 80s n 90s.

  32. bj singh says:

    we are still not justified 29 years ate gone and no person is punished all pf them are rewarded by saropa sahib or a sward…..what a great hell dum

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