Sikhs have been remembering the horrors their families went through during one of the bloodiest times in their religion’s history.
Forty years have passed since the Indian military besieged the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, in order to drive out Sikh separatists who were calling for Khalistan, their own sovereign nation.
Then-prime minister Indira Gandhi authorized Operation Blue Star, which resulted in the deaths of about 400 individuals, including 87 troops. Yet Sikh organizations contest this number, saying thousands perished.
Tensions erupted into an armed insurrection that lasted more than ten years as Sikhs all over the world accused troops of desecrating the holiest temple in their religion.
Here, Sikhs in Bedfordshire describe the long-lasting wounds caused by the events of June 1984.
Rasal Singh owns a company in Bedfordshire and volunteers at the Sikh temple in Luton.
In November 1990, Nirmal Singh Chola Sahib, his father, passed away.
“My father was arrested and brought to the local police station, where he was severely tortured,” the man stated. He was cruelly tortured, which was tragic.”
According to the father of three, his family “still suffers today.”.
He added, “My father was tortured and killed, and it’s left a huge hole in my heart. The pain is still so raw. His absence has left a void that never truly heals.”
“My family became homeless and moved around a lot after my dad was killed. My family is still in pain after 40 years, and justice has not been served.
