REVIEW – 1984: A Sikh Story on BBC
Guestblogged by Joo Kay Singh
I’ve just spent the past hour watching 1984: A Sikh Story on BBC1 in the UK, and came away mildly disappointed, but not altogether surprised.
The documentary was framed as a “personal journey” for the presenter, Sonia Deol, to “unravel the events of 1984, an iconic year for Sikhs”, and informs us that “the bloody aftermath that followed [of Indira Gandhi’s assassination] so shocks Sonia that she is forced to reappraise the depth of her commitment to her faith”
For the first part of the program, we were served up with interviews mainly with Mark Tully and K.S. Brar who sounded like they were both regurgitating paragraphs from their respective books on the subject on the background to the Invasion. Sant Jarnail Singh was given the usual ‘congress stooge turned bad’ treatment by both, and the Darbar Sahib invasion covered without a hint of investigative journalism. Sonia failed to enquire why 37 other gurdwaras were attacked on the same day, if as per Tully and Brar’s insistence, Indira Gandhi was merely interested in Sant Bhindrawale. She similarly fails to question either of the men on the timing of the attack, on why the entire state of Panjab was placed under curfew, the expulsion of all foreign media, or the killings of pilgrims by the Army.
The second part moves onto the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, and the tone was set when she describes the events as “riots”, which even the most partisan commentators would agree they were not. There are a few interviews with Widows, a passing mention of alleged police complicity in an interview with some witnesses – but virtually nothing on political involvement and certainly no interviews with police or Congress officials on their role. The one person of note she did interview, Harvinder Singh Phoolka – a lawyer who fought for justice for the past 25 years, was only done in the context of him leading an organisation who planted saplings in memory of the victims. I’m sure he would have liked to move beyond that, and share his detailed knowledge of how the pogroms were orchestrated and who was to blame.
One of the most disappointing aspects of this program, for me, were that the events of 1984 and the interviews with the widows were playing bridesmaid to a pretty soppy central narrative – that of Sonia Deol attempting to “reappraise the depth of her commitment to her faith”. We are shown a few emotional scenes after she interviews witnesses and survivors of the invasion and the pogroms, but then she ends the program doing some bhangra with some families in Delhi celebrating diwali, proclaiming all is now well in India.
The second area of disappointment was how little Sonia really probed into the events of 1984, highlighted by the choice of interviewees and a script that could almost have been written by the GOI’s Press Office.
At the outset, I did say that although I was disappointed overall, I wasn’t very surprised. The first reason is that Sonia Deol isn’t exactly a Rageh Omar or Jeremy Paxman; she’s a Radio Presenter on the BBC Asian Network with self-admittedly little knowledge of 1984, so I would have been more surprised to see her asking tough and probing questions, or even knowing who to ask the right questions. That leads me to the second point; the location producer for this program was Mandeep Singh Bajwa, who if you follow his comments online and on the Sikh eGroups, comes across as a poster-boy for the GOI. So it’s no surprise that he’s the man that the GOI have instructed the BBC to use for all their interviews – if they want permission to be in India at all. Couple the above with some inside information that Sonia Deol was the third-choice presenter, suggests to me that the powers that-be at the BBC weren’t altogether interested in producing anything serious either.
Here’s to hoping the next 25 years will bring something more insightful documentaries covering 1984!
309 Responses to “REVIEW – 1984: A Sikh Story on BBC”
Mandeep Singh Bajwa is a RAW agent and minor minion of the Nazi Hindu goons who attacked Golden Temple. It is a shame and a disgrace for Sonia Deol to have Bajwa as a point man in india, a "TUKKERBOCH Kutta of his Hindu masters who pretty much is the online rep for Hindu agencies . Tully of BBC was also on payroll of Indian agencies during those tumultuous years and photostat copies of payment given to him by GOI are available on line. He was part and parcel of the propaganda and disinformation network of GOI.
Sikhs should strongly protest to BBC and demand this women Sonia should be completely debarred from covering Sikh issues. They should also present their own version and demand equal time from BBC.
Mandeep Singh Bajwa is a RAW agent and minor minion of the Nazi Hindu goons who attacked Golden Temple. It is a shame and a disgrace for Sonia Deol to have Bajwa as a point man in india, a "TUKKERBOCH Kutta of his Hindu masters who pretty much is the online rep for Hindu agencies . Tully of BBC was also on payroll of Indian agencies during those tumultuous years and photostat copies of payment given to him by GOI are available on line. He was part and parcel of the propaganda and disinformation network of GOI.
Sikhs should strongly protest to BBC and demand this women Sonia should be completely debarred from covering Sikh issues. They should also present their own version and demand equal time from BBC.
Great to see such a speedy review. I think that given the mix of 'personal journey' with 'serious political issue' the programme was bound to disappoint those who were seeking another sort of programme. Personally I think that given the challenges she faced, Sonia Deol did not do a bad job herself. I can see why though this doc would be so annoying to those who felt so much was left untold, or only told from a limited point of view. Some of the interviews were heart-wrenching.
Can you spill the beans on who the first two choices for presenter were?
Great to see such a speedy review. I think that given the mix of 'personal journey' with 'serious political issue' the programme was bound to disappoint those who were seeking another sort of programme. Personally I think that given the challenges she faced, Sonia Deol did not do a bad job herself. I can see why though this doc would be so annoying to those who felt so much was left untold, or only told from a limited point of view. Some of the interviews were heart-wrenching.
Can you spill the beans on who the first two choices for presenter were?
The program was for one hour so obviously she had to follow a certain structure, a start, middle and end. Regardless if she did not get it right, she certainly kept the 1984 issue alive and also gave a chance for those who know nothing about '84 to see what happened and even learn more about it themselves.
The other positive is that atleast she put her foot forward to do the program and do the best she could to present this one hour program.
The program for me was a revisit to the 1984 issue and it is clear that the Indian government should have handled the situation much better and it is purely the governments fault (thats if they call themselves a government). '84 should never had happened like it did!
The program was for one hour so obviously she had to follow a certain structure, a start, middle and end. Regardless if she did not get it right, she certainly kept the 1984 issue alive and also gave a chance for those who know nothing about '84 to see what happened and even learn more about it themselves.
The other positive is that atleast she put her foot forward to do the program and do the best she could to present this one hour program.
The program for me was a revisit to the 1984 issue and it is clear that the Indian government should have handled the situation much better and it is purely the governments fault (thats if they call themselves a government). '84 should never had happened like it did!
hi yes i agree that it was a soppy narrative and I thought the script was full of cliches – especially all her reflective stuff – and anyone else amazed that her real name is jaswinder kaur sidhu and it's "too late to change it back now" for goodness sake!!! that was a turn off but it was definitely not one sided so you're wrong to criticise it for that – we heard a lot about the killings and slaughter of sikhs afterwards and i learnt lots of stuff i didn't know which is the point after all.
hi yes i agree that it was a soppy narrative and I thought the script was full of cliches – especially all her reflective stuff – and anyone else amazed that her real name is jaswinder kaur sidhu and it's "too late to change it back now" for goodness sake!!! that was a turn off but it was definitely not one sided so you're wrong to criticise it for that – we heard a lot about the killings and slaughter of sikhs afterwards and i learnt lots of stuff i didn't know which is the point after all.
I came away very disappointed and in fact mildly annoyed after waiting up to see the much hyped programme. I think had people known the content there may have been less txt messages sent about it. I was left feeling uninformed and there was no uncovering of any of the real events of the attack or the aftermath. It simply skimmed over the issues. No mention of the political leader who instigated the killing or in fact any mention of them. Overall i felt cheated and although I'm glad Sonia would like to revert to her given name!!! i suppose all the expensive of making the program was worth that!!! The only good thing to come of it is that many who don’t recall or don’t know anything of what happen may look into it further and that cannot be a bad thing.
I came away very disappointed and in fact mildly annoyed after waiting up to see the much hyped programme. I think had people known the content there may have been less txt messages sent about it. I was left feeling uninformed and there was no uncovering of any of the real events of the attack or the aftermath. It simply skimmed over the issues. No mention of the political leader who instigated the killing or in fact any mention of them. Overall i felt cheated and although I'm glad Sonia would like to revert to her given name!!! i suppose all the expensive of making the program was worth that!!! The only good thing to come of it is that many who don’t recall or don’t know anything of what happen may look into it further and that cannot be a bad thing.
i feel that such a topic which is very close to sikhs required more air time and perhaps a more mature presenter. It just cant be honestly covered in the space of an hour. So there were time constrictions and had to give an"overview" almost.
Hopefully though, people will have watched it and realised that an awful atrocity occured and they can educate themselves further.
Sikhs hindus muslims, we CAN all live together in peace, i hope such atrocities never occur again.
i feel that such a topic which is very close to sikhs required more air time and perhaps a more mature presenter. It just cant be honestly covered in the space of an hour. So there were time constrictions and had to give an"overview" almost.
Hopefully though, people will have watched it and realised that an awful atrocity occured and they can educate themselves further.
Sikhs hindus muslims, we CAN all live together in peace, i hope such atrocities never occur again.
l can't believe this guy is still revered as sikh, he is a terorist and why was he using the shrine to hole himself up and store weapons, he knew they were coming and using the fact that it was a holy shrine and the fact that pilgrims were still inside for his own selfish gains-he himself is own of the main culprits for all this and yet many sikhs agree with this but wouldn't say so on camera- its the far right of any religion that l despise- l think indira's hands were tied- it was a very difficult decision which people later said she regretted but its a decision l totally understand- the worst of it all for me is the riots afterwards- then the lack of mention of the obvious congress involvement and lack of real justice and how senseless to kill innocent sikhs just because two sikhs killed a PM who they saw as a mother- its just a plain crazy mindset
l can't believe this guy is still revered as sikh, he is a terorist and why was he using the shrine to hole himself up and store weapons, he knew they were coming and using the fact that it was a holy shrine and the fact that pilgrims were still inside for his own selfish gains-he himself is own of the main culprits for all this and yet many sikhs agree with this but wouldn't say so on camera- its the far right of any religion that l despise- l think indira's hands were tied- it was a very difficult decision which people later said she regretted but its a decision l totally understand- the worst of it all for me is the riots afterwards- then the lack of mention of the obvious congress involvement and lack of real justice and how senseless to kill innocent sikhs just because two sikhs killed a PM who they saw as a mother- its just a plain crazy mindset
Yes, the programme missed a lot of information out, but how much can you cram into one hour. Maybe I missed something but I did not see the real issues which started all of this be raised. The amount of murders bindranwala committed before blue star.
Yes, the programme missed a lot of information out, but how much can you cram into one hour. Maybe I missed something but I did not see the real issues which started all of this be raised. The amount of murders bindranwala committed before blue star.
i would like to thank sonia deol for the documentry. it was sonia deol's personal journy to Punjab and about blue star 84. and we all have learnt alot from it.
i would like to thank sonia deol for the documentry. it was sonia deol's personal journy to Punjab and about blue star 84. and we all have learnt alot from it.
The fact that Indian government under Indira Gandhi gave orders to attack Golden Temple in 1984 is an unforgivable and huge mistake made. Indira Gandhi was aware of Golden Temple as the most significant place of worship of the Sikhs and she still authorised an attack which killed so many innocent people. Also I strongly believe that she did not authorise this attack just to get Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. If that was the case then humane ways should have been employed to capture him but obviously no thought was made. I am also hugely disappointed that Kuldeep Singh Brar, who is suppose to be a Sikh himself, actually lead Operation Blue Star. If he was a true Sikh, then he should have resigned or something before committing this sin. What’s more disappointing is that even after the attack, Indira Gandhi did not apologise for the damages caused both physically to Golden Temple and emotionally to the hearts of every true Sikh and their families. Her government should have accepted that they made a big mistake and should have helped the families of the Sikh victims. Obviously none of this happened and no wonder why Sikhs all over the world are angry about the whole situation.
The fact that Indian government under Indira Gandhi gave orders to attack Golden Temple in 1984 is an unforgivable and huge mistake made. Indira Gandhi was aware of Golden Temple as the most significant place of worship of the Sikhs and she still authorised an attack which killed so many innocent people. Also I strongly believe that she did not authorise this attack just to get Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. If that was the case then humane ways should have been employed to capture him but obviously no thought was made. I am also hugely disappointed that Kuldeep Singh Brar, who is suppose to be a Sikh himself, actually lead Operation Blue Star. If he was a true Sikh, then he should have resigned or something before committing this sin. What’s more disappointing is that even after the attack, Indira Gandhi did not apologise for the damages caused both physically to Golden Temple and emotionally to the hearts of every true Sikh and their families. Her government should have accepted that they made a big mistake and should have helped the families of the Sikh victims. Obviously none of this happened and no wonder why Sikhs all over the world are angry about the whole situation.
I thought it was a thoughtful film, maybe light weight but she said that it was a personal journey not a heavy political insight. I thought it was a version of history viewed by a British Indian Sikh and as that it worked and she is a an important member of our diverse community. I am glad it was not hijacked by fundamentalist & insular Sikhs – that was what happened in the Punjab in 1984 and lead to this awful human catastrophe. Well done Sonia.
I thought it was a thoughtful film, maybe light weight but she said that it was a personal journey not a heavy political insight. I thought it was a version of history viewed by a British Indian Sikh and as that it worked and she is a an important member of our diverse community. I am glad it was not hijacked by fundamentalist & insular Sikhs – that was what happened in the Punjab in 1984 and lead to this awful human catastrophe. Well done Sonia.
I think the programme was biased on several issues. I do not blame the presenter because she is of course a Sikh. BIASs No 1. Deol did not cover adequately the real reason why Bhindrawale took armed refuge in the Golden Temple. Bhindrawale thought he could be invincible. BIAS No 2. Deol did not investigate, even after 25 years, what other options were open to the Government. BIAS No 3. Deol Deol failed to explain the similarity between Bhindrawale & Bin Laden…their mirrored views of either a Sikh or Islam State
I think the programme was biased on several issues. I do not blame the presenter because she is of course a Sikh. BIASs No 1. Deol did not cover adequately the real reason why Bhindrawale took armed refuge in the Golden Temple. Bhindrawale thought he could be invincible. BIAS No 2. Deol did not investigate, even after 25 years, what other options were open to the Government. BIAS No 3. Deol Deol failed to explain the similarity between Bhindrawale & Bin Laden…their mirrored views of either a Sikh or Islam State
My view on the programme:
http://www.saviarora.com/review-bbc-1984-a-sikh-s…
My view on the programme:
http://www.saviarora.com/review-bbc-1984-a-sikh-s…
It was a PERSONAL journey that was sated at the beginning – not YOUR journey or the journey of others. It wasn't a detailed history – it never claimed to be that. IT WAS A PERSPECTIVE. I'm tired of everthing being hijacked by people who wanted something else. A personal perspective, one woman's journey – no less no more. It should be applauded. And I agree a more detailed film is required but we should leave to SIkh historians
It was a PERSONAL journey that was sated at the beginning – not YOUR journey or the journey of others. It wasn't a detailed history – it never claimed to be that. IT WAS A PERSPECTIVE. I'm tired of everthing being hijacked by people who wanted something else. A personal perspective, one woman's journey – no less no more. It should be applauded. And I agree a more detailed film is required but we should leave to SIkh historians
BBCviewer… Bin Laden??? your comparing him to Sant JB?? i think you need to have a look at what Bin Laden has done in the name of his faith as opposed what Sant ji tried to do for our faith which was to awaken us to the truth regarding the Indian state and its intentions to us as race.
Its easy to say what a bad job Sonia has done, at least she has done something. What have any of us/you never done to give justice to those sikhs!
Its easy to say what a bad job Sonia has done, at least she has done something. What have any of us/you never done to give justice to those sikhs!
Personally, I am a little fed-up of the media serving up this kind of melodrama. Why did it have to be a personal journey? Good journalism should be about uncovering the facts in a balanced way and allowing the audience to make up their minds about which side of the fence they are on. I found the reflection a little cringe-worthy and all the harping on about a new found commitment to and understanding of my religion (but not enough to change my name back) a bit shallow. If a man with a msulim name can become president of the USA, surely a sikh name should not get in the way of Asian network presenter's career, or there is something truly wrong.
Personally, I am a little fed-up of the media serving up this kind of melodrama. Why did it have to be a personal journey? Good journalism should be about uncovering the facts in a balanced way and allowing the audience to make up their minds about which side of the fence they are on. I found the reflection a little cringe-worthy and all the harping on about a new found commitment to and understanding of my religion (but not enough to change my name back) a bit shallow. If a man with a msulim name can become president of the USA, surely a sikh name should not get in the way of Asian network presenter's career, or there is something truly wrong.
As for Indira GHandi, she certainly wasn't perfect, but l respect the woman for being a secular and fughting for a united India- she risked her own life in 1947 Delhi by standing in the way of rampaging mobs of hindus and sikhs intent of butchering muslims- she calmed down that situation- she also didn;t sack her bodyguards despite being advised to do so because she stood up for that same principle- her son though did a great disservice to his mother- by making the comment about a mighty tree falling and the ground shakes and standing by and doing nothing whilst Delhi burned- something she would of been dead against and certainly not wanted- the way she went around operation blue star and the politics of the time certainly could of been handled better but l certainly don't believe she had any intent to destroy the sikh faith.
As for Indira GHandi, she certainly wasn't perfect, but l respect the woman for being a secular and fughting for a united India- she risked her own life in 1947 Delhi by standing in the way of rampaging mobs of hindus and sikhs intent of butchering muslims- she calmed down that situation- she also didn;t sack her bodyguards despite being advised to do so because she stood up for that same principle- her son though did a great disservice to his mother- by making the comment about a mighty tree falling and the ground shakes and standing by and doing nothing whilst Delhi burned- something she would of been dead against and certainly not wanted- the way she went around operation blue star and the politics of the time certainly could of been handled better but l certainly don't believe she had any intent to destroy the sikh faith.
it wasn't about sikh vs hindu- but politics- the blames lies with JS Bindrawale and Congress esp for the carnage that followed- imagine though if we did have a khalistan- what would happen to the sikhs in haryana, delhi, mumbai, HP, Rajasthan, Uttar pradesh etc and the hindus in Punjab? Its madness to divide land on religious grounds alone and also a great disrespect to our gurus and our faith.
“1984”– A COCKTAIL EXPLOSIVE OF TEN THEORIES
1)Religious theories :—
a.When ever a new religion becomes manifest on this planet the older religions of the planet deal in this manner; a kind of bullying you see when you are a fresher in a college , Eg :– Jews did atrocities on Jesus and betrayed Muslims . Some time it is the newer religions which are hostile to older religions like Muslims are towards Jews and Christians.
b.Religions are in intrinsically violent systems with their Gods being more like commander in chiefs and their holy text book being like war manuals
c.India was aspiring to be a Hindu nation; and any one not subscribing to this theological view point was to be subdued.
d.Punjabi Hindus and Sikhs slugged it out some thing like the Kauravs and Pandavs or in the western world like catholic and Protestants.
“1984”– A COCKTAIL EXPLOSIVE OF TEN THEORIES
1)Religious theories :—
a.When ever a new religion becomes manifest on this planet the older religions of the planet deal in this manner; a kind of bullying you see when you are a fresher in a college , Eg :– Jews did atrocities on Jesus and betrayed Muslims . Some time it is the newer religions which are hostile to older religions like Muslims are towards Jews and Christians.
b.Religions are in intrinsically violent systems with their Gods being more like commander in chiefs and their holy text book being like war manuals
c.India was aspiring to be a Hindu nation; and any one not subscribing to this theological view point was to be subdued.
d.Punjabi Hindus and Sikhs slugged it out some thing like the Kauravs and Pandavs or in the western world like catholic and Protestants.
9)Quantum theory and 84 :-
I believe that partly1984 period could be understood thru quantum eyes:-
Quantum theory and 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?
Quantum 1984 and Sikhs :-
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.
Conclusions: — So did we create situations like these to get a feel of how life was like at our GURUS time?? .
9)Quantum theory and 84 :-
I believe that partly1984 period could be understood thru quantum eyes:-
Quantum theory and 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?
Quantum 1984 and Sikhs :-
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.
Conclusions: — So did we create situations like these to get a feel of how life was like at our GURUS time?? .
All these sikh in the world and in the last 30 years have not produce a documentry to really show what happen in 1984 (everyone too busy chasing abit of paper with the queens head on it) and what the real agend is of the GOI. Hopfully one day I will haev the power and the money to do so.
AKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All these sikh in the world and in the last 30 years have not produce a documentry to really show what happen in 1984 (everyone too busy chasing abit of paper with the queens head on it) and what the real agend is of the GOI. Hopfully one day I will haev the power and the money to do so.
AKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I disagree with the article above, Sonia personal journey was very important because she expresses a point in where a Sikh for the first time feels connected to his/her faith for the first time and others that have had this realisation understand the beautiful and emotional experience. Before we start criticising, (something many in our community are quick to do about some one doing something positive for our faith), She has opened probably the biggest chapter for voicing the events during 1984 in the the last 2 decades. Something which was desperately needed. Maybe she could of asked harder questions to Tully and Brar but many do not realise the documentary had to be censored by both the Indian Government and BBC in order for Sonia to produce. I believe we owe Sonia great praise and hope she continues.
I disagree with the article above, Sonia personal journey was very important because she expresses a point in where a Sikh for the first time feels connected to his/her faith for the first time and others that have had this realisation understand the beautiful and emotional experience. Before we start criticising, (something many in our community are quick to do about some one doing something positive for our faith), She has opened probably the biggest chapter for voicing the events during 1984 in the the last 2 decades. Something which was desperately needed. Maybe she could of asked harder questions to Tully and Brar but many do not realise the documentary had to be censored by both the Indian Government and BBC in order for Sonia to produce. I believe we owe Sonia great praise and hope she continues.
I REPEAT: It was a TV episode – get on with it, get a life and start thinking about what compassion and tolerance means – we Sikhs are not with out our faults (selling fags and booze in our shops). Let it go and look forward to a mutual future
It was a PERSONAL journey that was sated at the beginning – not YOUR journey or the journey of others. It wasn't a detailed history – it never claimed to be that. IT WAS A PERSPECTIVE. I'm tired of everthing being hijacked by people who wanted something else. A personal perspective, one woman's journey – no less no more. It should be applauded. And I agree a more detailed film is required but we should leave to SIkh historians
I REPEAT: It was a TV episode – get on with it, get a life and start thinking about what compassion and tolerance means – we Sikhs are not with out our faults (selling fags and booze in our shops). Let it go and look forward to a mutual future
It was a PERSONAL journey that was sated at the beginning – not YOUR journey or the journey of others. It wasn't a detailed history – it never claimed to be that. IT WAS A PERSPECTIVE. I'm tired of everthing being hijacked by people who wanted something else. A personal perspective, one woman's journey – no less no more. It should be applauded. And I agree a more detailed film is required but we should leave to SIkh historians
I agree with Narinder, at least something has come out of it, hopfully now it will help people open there eye abit and someone some where can produce something abit more indepth, I wish Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu all the best and a fantasic effort. People should read about KPS Gill and these so called sikh that Killed there "own people".
We should do a website maybe have a building something with the names of all the people killed in 1984. We need to do soemthing for them.
List of all the ministers, police officers etc all the people who help bring on blue star house address familes etc see how they feel when they are listed on the web. I am sure people will come forward.
I agree with Narinder, at least something has come out of it, hopfully now it will help people open there eye abit and someone some where can produce something abit more indepth, I wish Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu all the best and a fantasic effort. People should read about KPS Gill and these so called sikh that Killed there "own people".
We should do a website maybe have a building something with the names of all the people killed in 1984. We need to do soemthing for them.
List of all the ministers, police officers etc all the people who help bring on blue star house address familes etc see how they feel when they are listed on the web. I am sure people will come forward.
To those justifying this documentary from the 'Personal Journey' angle, I'm afraid I don't buy it.
Such a 'Journey', were it genuine, would have involved more than accepting what in effect was the GoI line on events, both for June 1984 and November 1984. It would certainly have been difficult to ignore the competing narratives from organisations such as Amnesty or HRW, amongst others Independent sources – and that's not even thinking about Sikh organisations who have documented both events.
The facts are that this documentary was researched remotely in the UK by BBC researchers, and the on-location interviews were pre-secured by the Location Producers, who were working under the guidance of the GoI. If we're using clichés, then it's probably more apt to describe Sonia Deol's experience as a 'Guided Tour', provided by the GoI. If I'm going on Vacation, and I want a quick introduction to a city, without wanting to expend any effort meeting the locals and finding out where the real action is – I take a Guided Tour. My Tour Guide tells me what he wants me to know, and glosses over the rest – that's pretty much what happened here.
To those justifying this documentary from the 'Personal Journey' angle, I'm afraid I don't buy it.
Such a 'Journey', were it genuine, would have involved more than accepting what in effect was the GoI line on events, both for June 1984 and November 1984. It would certainly have been difficult to ignore the competing narratives from organisations such as Amnesty or HRW, amongst others Independent sources – and that's not even thinking about Sikh organisations who have documented both events.
The facts are that this documentary was researched remotely in the UK by BBC researchers, and the on-location interviews were pre-secured by the Location Producers, who were working under the guidance of the GoI. If we're using clichés, then it's probably more apt to describe Sonia Deol's experience as a 'Guided Tour', provided by the GoI. If I'm going on Vacation, and I want a quick introduction to a city, without wanting to expend any effort meeting the locals and finding out where the real action is – I take a Guided Tour. My Tour Guide tells me what he wants me to know, and glosses over the rest – that's pretty much what happened here.
To all those innocent people who lost their lives, their famalies and their friends in 1984 – may they rest in peace. What an emotional and inspirational programme it was, with the time constraint it was difficult to go in too much depth but i must say after watching this programme it makes me proud to know that people fought with such courage, bravery and determination for their religion. And i am proud to be a Sikh!!! Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh.
xxxxx
To all those innocent people who lost their lives, their famalies and their friends in 1984 – may they rest in peace. What an emotional and inspirational programme it was, with the time constraint it was difficult to go in too much depth but i must say after watching this programme it makes me proud to know that people fought with such courage, bravery and determination for their religion. And i am proud to be a Sikh!!! Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh.
xxxxx
the real terrorists r hindu organisations like shiv sena, bajrang dal, hindu parishad and their mother rss.
the indian government looted the water, power and regional resources of panjab.
wat happened in 1978 was reason that led outrage among sikhs against government. indira actually wanted to use bhai jarnail singh ji khalsa bhindranwale for her political issues but when she got failed she started portray him as a terrorists. bhi jarnail singh ji stood up against the tyranny and thats irked the hindu government most.
to prove their act right they concocted several fake allegations against sikh kharkoos as like there was abundance of weapons and most importantly womens were kidnapped at there, such were the stupid allegations that shows the government fallen conscience in hiding their tyranny.
i show my respect to sant jarnail singh ji who sacrificed his life for the sikh rights.
the real terrorists r hindu organisations like shiv sena, bajrang dal, hindu parishad and their mother rss.
the indian government looted the water, power and regional resources of panjab.
wat happened in 1978 was reason that led outrage among sikhs against government. indira actually wanted to use bhai jarnail singh ji khalsa bhindranwale for her political issues but when she got failed she started portray him as a terrorists. bhi jarnail singh ji stood up against the tyranny and thats irked the hindu government most.
to prove their act right they concocted several fake allegations against sikh kharkoos as like there was abundance of weapons and most importantly womens were kidnapped at there, such were the stupid allegations that shows the government fallen conscience in hiding their tyranny.
i show my respect to sant jarnail singh ji who sacrificed his life for the sikh rights.
Hindus are cowards they attacked on the defendless families and children. If they have the courage they should have challenged the Sikhs on a battlefield. Nor matter Sikhs being outnumbered.
From Khalsa
Hindus are cowards they attacked on the defendless families and children. If they have the courage they should have challenged the Sikhs on a battlefield. Nor matter Sikhs being outnumbered.
From Khalsa
Well said Khalsa, cowards them Hindu's, i bet none of them were bought to justice….
Well said Khalsa, cowards them Hindu's, i bet none of them were bought to justice….
i agree the documentary was weak and left alot of unanswered questions. But at least it as encouraged me to look into the real issues for myself. What upsets me is that when i asked a hindu friend (from India) about his opinion of Indra Gandhi he had high praise for her and said she was the mother of India. I was shocked that hindu's have no awareness of the what happened and believed all the propoganda that was fed to them.
Tony Blaire decided to go to war to find weapons of mass destruction, when it turned out there were none he was removed. He made a wrong decision and paid the price. Why is it that India cannot face facts and accept that the Gandhi family are not saints, they have caused much suffering. Why not allow a documentary like this be shown in India today. 25 years on, how much has really changed..
i agree the documentary was weak and left alot of unanswered questions. But at least it as encouraged me to look into the real issues for myself. What upsets me is that when i asked a hindu friend (from India) about his opinion of Indra Gandhi he had high praise for her and said she was the mother of India. I was shocked that hindu's have no awareness of the what happened and believed all the propoganda that was fed to them.
Tony Blaire decided to go to war to find weapons of mass destruction, when it turned out there were none he was removed. He made a wrong decision and paid the price. Why is it that India cannot face facts and accept that the Gandhi family are not saints, they have caused much suffering. Why not allow a documentary like this be shown in India today. 25 years on, how much has really changed..