When the Indian army attacked Sri Harmandir Sahib in June 1984, a lasting imprint was left on generations of Sikhs. The attack resulted in the loss of many lives, including innocent Sikhs who had been trapped within the Harmandir Sahib complex. Significant infrastructure had also been destroyed, including the Akal Takht and the Sikh Reference Library. Even Harmandir Sahib itself felt the impact of the bullets fired by the Indian Army.
November 1984 saw the assassination of Indian Prime Minister, Indira Ghandi; who was assassinated by her own bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh, for her role in the attack on Harmandir Sahib. This sent shockwaves across India and mass violence broke out. The inner political corruption meant that mobs were equipped to target Sikhs across India, including Delhi, resulting in a genocide of the Sikhs. Reading the accounts of those present during the attacks, one feels a sense of great sorrow and sadness.
The books below are recommended for those who wish to understand more about the events leading up to, during and following 1984. Many present eye witness accounts of those present and give an in depth view of the events that occurred during 1984.
June 1984 - Attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib
Reflections on 1984 by Harjinder Singh
Fighting for Faith and Nation by Cynthia Mahmood
The Invasion of the Golden Temple by Sukhbir Singh Kapoor
Struggle for Justice: Speeches and Conversations of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale by Ranbir Singh Sandhu
What’s Happening to India? by Robin Jeffrey
The Sikhs of the Punjab: Unheard Voices of State and Guerilla Violence by Joyce Pettigrew
November 1984 - Sikh Genocide
Reflections on 1984 by Harjinder Singh
1984 The Anti Sikh Violence and After by Sanjay Suri
I Accuse… The Anti Sikh Violence of 1984 by Jarnail Singh
1984: India’s Guilty Secret by Pav Singh
When A Tree Shook Delhi: The 1984 Carnage and its Aftermath by Manoj Mitta and H. S. Phoolka
Lost in History: 1984 Reconstructed by Gunisha Kaur
Black November: Writings on the Sikh Massacres of 1984 and the Aftermath by Ishmeet Kaur Chaudhry
Saffron Salvation by Simarjit Kaur
What’s Happening to India? by Robin Jeffrey
Visit our store to see our available books from this list.
Furthermore, the above list is by no means complete and additions will be regularly made. If you would like to suggest any notable books on these subjects then please feel free to contact us.
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