Night of the Demons – Sikhs Remembering the Delhi Pogroms of 1984
20,000 Butchered in Delhi
25,000 Made “Disappeared” in Punjab
A Community Bruised
A Diaspora Tarnished
STILL WE RISE
A Nation Never Forgets
Remember 1984
On The Langar Hall, the fight for justice is rarely far from our minds. While justice remains elusive and mass-murderers promoted, the community suffers, but not in silence. In this 25th year of the Indian Government-sponsored pogroms, we bear witness to that genocide. We remember not only the lives lost, but call for accountability so that events such as Delhi 1984, Gujarat 2002, and the numerous human rights abuses that occur everyday in the territory that is India are not forgotten. The Indian elite may see the country as a rising economic star, but without political rights, freedoms, and a genuine commitment to justice, slogans such as “Indian Shining” fall on deaf ears.
Here is one such event that inspires us to remember:
Below the fold, see a list of upcoming events in your community. Participate, contribute, stand in solidarity – Remember 1984.
CANADA:
Sikh-Canadians are looking forward to the “One Panth: United in Remembering 1984” event:
Sunday November 15, 2009
2 to 6 PM
Chandni Convention Centre
5 Gateway Drive
Brampton, ON
Check out their website for more details.
UNITED KINGDOM:
The Oxford and Cambridge Sikh Alumni Association (OCSAA) invites you to join in a commemoration for the 25th Anniversary of the Delhi Sikh Pogroms.
This program will feature the following speakers:
- Manoj Mitta – Senior Editor, Times of India and co-author of ‘When a tree shook Delhi’ (New Delhi, India)
- Manmeet Singh & Harpreet Kaur, Producer/Director of ‘The Widow Colony’ documentary on the 1984 pogroms (Maryland, USA)
- Harinder Singh – Executive Director, Sikh Research Institute (Texas, USA)
The UK event will be held at Saturday, October 31, 2009, from 1:30pm – 5:00pm at Central Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha), 58-62 Queensdale Road, London W11 4SG
For any further information, please contact OCSAA@googlemail.com or visit their facebook page.
UNITED STATES:
We’ll keep posting more events as they come along, but one as early as this weekend are the California-wide Jakara Junior Camps – “A Nation Never Forgets.”
The following locations have been announced:
- Fresno Camp – Dakota Gurdwara – Saturday, October 24th, 2009
- Kerman Camp – Kerman Gurdwara – Saturday, October 24th, 2009
- Sacramento Camp – West Sacramento Gurdwara – Saturday, November 7th, 2009
- San Diego Camp – TBA – Saturday, November 7th, 2009
- Fremont Camp – Fremont Gurdwara – Saturday, November 14th, 2009
- Turlock/Livingston Camp – Turlock Gurdwara – Saturday, November 14th, 2009
- Los Angeles Camp – Lankershim Gurdwara – Saturday, November 21st, 2009
- Orange County Camp – Buena Park Gurdwara – Saturday, November 21st, 2009
- Stockton Camp – Stockton Gurdwara – Saturday, November 21st, 2009
- Yuba City Camp – Tierra Buena Gurdwara – Saturday, November 21st, 2009
- San Jose Camp – San Jose Gurdwara – Saturday, December 5th, 2009
- Riverside Camp – Riverside Gurdwara – TBA
Get involved and participate. All groups are always accepting volunteers, visit the Jakara Movement blog for updated information.
Finally, as we discussed last year, all the Sikh Students Associations in California are coming together at the upcoming Yuba City Nagar Kirtan to march together as part of the “Sikh Students Collaborative.”
Their invitation reads as follows:
Dear Current SSA members, Alumni, and Well-wishers,
This is a cordial invitation to participate with the second all-California Sikh Students Association (SSA) float to be showcased at the 30th annual Nagar Kirtan (Sikh Parade) at Yuba City (November 1, 2009). In our efforts to better institutionalize and aid the SSAs, we are hoping to make this an annual event. The float will be used to bring Sikh youth together, display our Sikh youth unity, and provide a forum for greater interaction with the general community. We are forming a collective body – the Sikh Students Collaborative.
This invitation is three-fold. We are seeking your support; we are seeking your participation in the float; we are seeking your participation to march behind the float. If you can help in any of these capacities, please join us. This goes out to all current SSA members, all former SSA members and alumni, and any well-wishers that are interested in a united front of the Sikh youth.
*********
The color scheme we will be using is kesri and white. T-shirts will be sold on-site for $5 each (at cost, not for profit). For girls who will be wearing suits, please try to wear white suits and kesri duputtas, for boys, white kurthey and kesri dastaaran are recommended
Visit their facebook page for locations and more information, but the following schedule has already been posted:
Schedule:
- Saturday, October 31, 2009
9am-3pm – Float Construction – Come one, Come all.
This year’s theme will be 1984 and we need plenty of volunteers!
6:30pm-8pm – First Annual Nagar Kirtan Lecture“From Demons in the Night to A New Day Ahead: 1984, the youth, and the new Activism”
- Sunday, November 1, 2009
11am-4pm – Nagar Kirtan (Meet at 9am to Finish Float)
If you have a 1984-related event, send us the information via our ‘Contact‘ page and we’ll be sure to get it posted.
Get involved! Inspire and be inspired! This year, we stand together and Remember 1984.
48 Responses to “Night of the Demons – Sikhs Remembering the Delhi Pogroms of 1984”
1984 needs a Antim ardas so that life can move on :-
"In Sikhism death is considered a natural process and God's will or Hukam. To a Sikh, birth and death are closely associated, because they are both part of the cycle of human life of "coming and going" ( ???? ???? , Aaavan Jaanaa) which is seen as transient stage towards Liberation, ( ???? ????? , Mokh Du-aar) complete unity with God. Sikhs thus believe in reincarnation. The soul itself is not subject to death. Death is only the progression of the soul on its journey from God, through the created universe and back to God again."
Harinder – what a horrible, horrible way to (mis)use Gurmat to justify the pogroms. You're asking us to forget the deaths because they are considered "a natural process and God's will or Hukam" – Wow.
I think you need to look up the Gurmat perspective on Justice & Human Rights.
1984 needs a Antim ardas so that life can move on :-
"In Sikhism death is considered a natural process and God's will or Hukam. To a Sikh, birth and death are closely associated, because they are both part of the cycle of human life of "coming and going" ( ???? ???? , Aaavan Jaanaa) which is seen as transient stage towards Liberation, ( ???? ????? , Mokh Du-aar) complete unity with God. Sikhs thus believe in reincarnation. The soul itself is not subject to death. Death is only the progression of the soul on its journey from God, through the created universe and back to God again."
Harinder has this underhand way of appearing to be Sikh in his views and supporting the Sikh way of life but advocates negativity and forgetting amongst the Diaspora. He has commented on other sites as well…and typically this involves distorting Sikh scriptures to fit his view point. I question his intent.
Harinder – what a horrible, horrible way to (mis)use Gurmat to justify the pogroms. You're asking us to forget the deaths because they are considered "a natural process and God's will or Hukam" – Wow.
I think you need to look up the Gurmat perspective on Justice & Human Rights.
SIkhs have under gone 8 major massacres since they were beamed on this planet before 1984 for different empires:–
l) Lesser Holocaust, Chhota Ghalughara :– for Mughal empire
2) Greater Holocaust, Whada Ghalughara :– for Mughal empire
3) Mir Mannu :– for Mughal empire
4) Zakraya Khan :– for Mughal empire
5) Budge Budge riot Kamagata Maru :– for British empire
6) Saka Gangsar Sahib :– for British empire
7) Saka Nankana Sahib :– for British empire
8) Jalianwala Bagh Massacre :– for British empire
9 ) 1984 :– for Indian empire
As we walk the journey of life on this planet we will have more such wounds getting inflicted on us.
However an important aspect of life is "HEALING"
As for justice my personal opinion is that it is a civilized way of “REVENGE”
Now as for Sikh concept of GOD he is with out revenge as following line illustrate
“God, the Primal Being, the great Provider is free of revenge and hate.”
(Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 1141)
contnued ……
Sikhs in spite of all this salughtering still shine on this planet
I Guess “Wahe Guru” is building up our capacity for
1) Healing our selves which is a sin qua non of life
2) Phoenix like qualities required for being AKALI (immortality)
Harinder, you are entitled to your personal opinion but Sikhs do not view Justice as Revenge. The role of the Khalsa is to serve, and protect and that includes seeking justice for those who have been wrong. Justice is also a legal institution within all civil societies, witness the judiciary and legal systems all over the world including India, although here it could be argued that the system is corrupt.
Healing cannot occur until Justice has been served. Sikhi does not advocate that we becoming lambs and accept all holocausts and horrors inflicted upon us as just part of life. We are lions and we need to stand up for our rights, which includes justice and well as self-determination and freedom from Indian slavery
Harinder, there is a legal distinction between massacre and genocide…your account is inaccurate…as suggested elsewhere seek a better education and grasp on Sikh history
Harinder has this underhand way of appearing to be Sikh in his views and supporting the Sikh way of life but advocates negativity and forgetting amongst the Diaspora. He has commented on other sites as well…and typically this involves distorting Sikh scriptures to fit his view point. I question his intent.
SIkhs have under gone 8 major massacres since they were beamed on this planet before 1984 for different empires:–
l) Lesser Holocaust, Chhota Ghalughara :– for Mughal empire
2) Greater Holocaust, Whada Ghalughara :– for Mughal empire
3) Mir Mannu :– for Mughal empire
4) Zakraya Khan :– for Mughal empire
5) Budge Budge riot Kamagata Maru :– for British empire
6) Saka Gangsar Sahib :– for British empire
7) Saka Nankana Sahib :– for British empire
8) Jalianwala Bagh Massacre :– for British empire
9 ) 1984 :– for Indian empire
As we walk the journey of life on this planet we will have more such wounds getting inflicted on us.
However an important aspect of life is "HEALING"
As for justice my personal opinion is that it is a civilized way of “REVENGE”
Now as for Sikh concept of GOD he is with out revenge as following line illustrate
“God, the Primal Being, the great Provider is free of revenge and hate.”
(Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 1141)
contnued ……
Sikhs in spite of all this salughtering still shine on this planet
I Guess “Wahe Guru” is building up our capacity for
1) Healing our selves which is a sin qua non of life
2) Phoenix like qualities required for being AKALI (immortality)
Harinder, you are entitled to your personal opinion but Sikhs do not view Justice as Revenge. The role of the Khalsa is to serve, and protect and that includes seeking justice for those who have been wrong. Justice is also a legal institution within all civil societies, witness the judiciary and legal systems all over the world including India, although here it could be argued that the system is corrupt.
Healing cannot occur until Justice has been served. Sikhi does not advocate that we becoming lambs and accept all holocausts and horrors inflicted upon us as just part of life. We are lions and we need to stand up for our rights, which includes justice and well as self-determination and freedom from Indian slavery
Harinder, there is a legal distinction between massacre and genocide…your account is inaccurate…as suggested elsewhere seek a better education and grasp on Sikh history
My advice to all, instead of getting too caught up on the always nonsensical Harinder, why don't we talk about which events we plan to attend and possibly why.
I will be at the Jakara Junior Kids Camp in Fresno and will be marching proudly with the Sikh Students Collaborative Float at Yuba City. Hope to see you all there as well!
My advice to all, instead of getting too caught up on the always nonsensical Harinder, why don't we talk about which events we plan to attend and possibly why.
I will be at the Jakara Junior Kids Camp in Fresno and will be marching proudly with the Sikh Students Collaborative Float at Yuba City. Hope to see you all there as well!
I'll be attending Ek Panth!
Thanks Mewa Singh – good advice! I get stressed out by all the nonsensical postings because I believe that in some perverse way it might influence our youth in the diaspora. I suppose I have to learn to trust their intelligence and wisdom!
I am in British Columbia and we attended the event last week commemorating 1984…it was a very emotional but inspiring time for me as I gained strength from the Panth as we all face our challenges together. We are having a blood drive on week of Nov 1 as well as switching our lights out on Nov 1st at 6pm in memory and honour of all those who died.
May Waheguru bless you all and my greatest wish in this life is for the Panth to unite and go from strength to strength! One Panth, all Sikhs united together!!!
I’ll be attending Ek Panth!
Thanks Mewa Singh – good advice! I get stressed out by all the nonsensical postings because I believe that in some perverse way it might influence our youth in the diaspora. I suppose I have to learn to trust their intelligence and wisdom!
I am in British Columbia and we attended the event last week commemorating 1984…it was a very emotional but inspiring time for me as I gained strength from the Panth as we all face our challenges together. We are having a blood drive on week of Nov 1 as well as switching our lights out on Nov 1st at 6pm in memory and honour of all those who died.
May Waheguru bless you all and my greatest wish in this life is for the Panth to unite and go from strength to strength! One Panth, all Sikhs united together!!!
Many empires tried to kill sikhs, uproot them completely, but they all fail. the only reason for it is – My Waheguru. It is he who will decide what has to happen, men can dream, he will help us fulfill. I have read a lot of history, and u know what Jews were killed on the name of religion for 2000 years, but everything failed because God didn't want that religion to die.
Mughals, Afgans, britishers and now the hindu government – all are spending a huge amount of money, time and brains to kill sikhs, but there brains is nothing in front of my Guru's blessing.
Many empires tried to kill sikhs, uproot them completely, but they all fail. the only reason for it is – My Waheguru. It is he who will decide what has to happen, men can dream, he will help us fulfill. I have read a lot of history, and u know what Jews were killed on the name of religion for 2000 years, but everything failed because God didn’t want that religion to die.
Mughals, Afgans, britishers and now the hindu government – all are spending a huge amount of money, time and brains to kill sikhs, but there brains is nothing in front of my Guru’s blessing.
We Sikhs have a prayer that says:
“Jin prem kio tin he prab pieo — Only those who love, realize god.”
why just day or night,
why one's wrong or right,
why cant Harinders words be true,
along with Raj_B too,
one can hold two views,
doesn't mean ur confused,
life is often gray,
god made it than way..
We Sikhs have a prayer that says:
“Jin prem kio tin he prab pieo — Only those who love, realize god.”
why just day or night,
why one's wrong or right,
why cant Harinders words be true,
along with Raj_B too,
one can hold two views,
doesn't mean ur confused,
life is often gray,
god made it than way..
Let me repeat my self even though the mods may deleted it
1) Revenge :——-Heals individuals
2) Justice :———-Heals societies
3) Forgiveness :—-Heals souls
All human beings have an immortal soul (atma) which is part of God and is on a journey to reunite with Him (Mukti).
Let me repeat my self even though the mods may deleted it
1) Revenge :——-Heals individuals
2) Justice :———-Heals societies
3) Forgiveness :—-Heals souls
All human beings have an immortal soul (atma) which is part of God and is on a journey to reunite with Him (Mukti).
Harinder, I doubt whether Admin will delete it, they are too busy chasing 'conspiracy theorists' because they themselves are too ignorant to really know how these things operate. In the interests of being liberal they will let all other nonsense go unchecked.
Harinder, I doubt whether Admin will delete it, they are too busy chasing 'conspiracy theorists' because they themselves are too ignorant to really know how these things operate. In the interests of being liberal they will let all other nonsense go unchecked.
Harinder, I understand what you mean by Forgiveness :—-Heals Souls. Our poor selfish souls. What about the soul of the victim – who was tortured to death ?
Harinder, I understand what you mean by Forgiveness :—-Heals Souls. Our poor selfish souls. What about the soul of the victim – who was tortured to death ?
I cant answer that. ?
May be Justice will heal these souls .
I cant answer that. ?
May be Justice will heal these souls .
Quantum theory and 84 :-
I believe that partly 84 period could be understood thru quantum eyes :-
Man as Creator :–
A case for man as the creator has been fabricated from an analogy to delayed-choice experiments in quantum mechanics. In such experiments it appears that the observer can influence the outcome of quantum mechanical events.
The observer does not give "reality" to the entity, but rather the observer chooses what aspect of the reality he wishes to discern
In other words, the universe produces man, but man through his observations of the universe brings the universe into reality. Here we find a reflection of the question debated in freshmen philosophy classes across the land:
If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to see it or hear it, does it really fall?
By same analogy ; We Sikhs try to live in the images of our GURUS.
Persecutions and anti centre stance was the reality for our GURUS
Recreating it in currant time gives us a sense of reality of being SIKHS
Quantum theory and 84 :-
I believe that partly 84 period could be understood thru quantum eyes :-
Man as Creator :–
A case for man as the creator has been fabricated from an analogy to delayed-choice experiments in quantum mechanics. In such experiments it appears that the observer can influence the outcome of quantum mechanical events.
The observer does not give "reality" to the entity, but rather the observer chooses what aspect of the reality he wishes to discern
In other words, the universe produces man, but man through his observations of the universe brings the universe into reality. Here we find a reflection of the question debated in freshmen philosophy classes across the land:
If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to see it or hear it, does it really fall?
By same analogy ; We Sikhs try to live in the images of our GURUS.
Persecutions and anti centre stance was the reality for our GURUS
Recreating it in currant time gives us a sense of reality of being SIKHS
People like Harinder are a shame and a disgrace to human race. Here we are trying to remember tens of thousands of innocent Sikhs who were butchered and burnt by Indian Government sponsored and supported mobs and this man by repeatedly posting his nonsense is acting more as an agent of the enemies of the Sikhs. Sikh nation should NEVER FORGET OR FORGIVE 1984 massacre. Indian Government propaganda and disinformation machines have tried to dilute the 1984 genocide of the Sikhs by repeatedly referring to the planned massacre as a "RIOT" We should not merely reflect and remember this holocaust but must take bold measures so that no will be dare to repeat this again.
People like Harinder are a shame and a disgrace to human race. Here we are trying to remember tens of thousands of innocent Sikhs who were butchered and burnt by Indian Government sponsored and supported mobs and this man by repeatedly posting his nonsense is acting more as an agent of the enemies of the Sikhs. Sikh nation should NEVER FORGET OR FORGIVE 1984 massacre. Indian Government propaganda and disinformation machines have tried to dilute the 1984 genocide of the Sikhs by repeatedly referring to the planned massacre as a "RIOT" We should not merely reflect and remember this holocaust but must take bold measures so that no will be dare to repeat this again.
That Idiot motherfucker Harinder is at it again!
I'm afraid I don't quite follow. On one hand I feel anger toward the cowardly and machiavellian people who perpetrated such crimes against humanity, and wish they all suffer the pain the victims of 1984 had to go through. Although on the other hand its kind of like what can we really do now? Are we supposed to forgive or seek retribution? I'm sorry if I sound ignorant its just I'm trying to get in touch with all this stuff after my first trip to panjab and walking through the brutal paintings in the sikh museum in the Darbar Sahib. Who is right who is wrong and all the differing viewpoints are really confusing… sorry about the interruption.
I'm afraid I don't quite follow. On one hand I feel anger toward the cowardly and machiavellian people who perpetrated such crimes against humanity, and wish they all suffer the pain the victims of 1984 had to go through. Although on the other hand its kind of like what can we really do now? Are we supposed to forgive or seek retribution? I'm sorry if I sound ignorant its just I'm trying to get in touch with all this stuff after my first trip to panjab and walking through the brutal paintings in the sikh museum in the Darbar Sahib. Who is right who is wrong and all the differing viewpoints are really confusing… sorry about the interruption.
I have a quote from the ardas
"Jinha dkeh ke andith kita ".
I have a quote from the ardas
"Jinha dkeh ke andith kita ".
That fucking retard Harinder again!
I WAS 18 YEARS OLD THEN A VERY SAD DAY IN 1984. I REMEMBER ALL TILL NOW.BUT SIKHS HAD GROWN LEAP AND BOUNDS AFTER THAT.THE JUSTICE WILL BE DONE BY THE GOD ON THIS EARTH ONLY BECAUSE WE BELIEVE HELL AND HEAVEN IS ON THIS EARTG ONLY. SO BE HAPPY AND LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. SAT SHRI AKAL.
I WAS 18 YEARS OLD THEN A VERY SAD DAY IN 1984. I REMEMBER ALL TILL NOW.BUT SIKHS HAD GROWN LEAP AND BOUNDS AFTER THAT.THE JUSTICE WILL BE DONE BY THE GOD ON THIS EARTH ONLY BECAUSE WE BELIEVE HELL AND HEAVEN IS ON THIS EARTG ONLY. SO BE HAPPY AND LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. SAT SHRI AKAL.