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June 1, 2022 Remembering 1984 June 1, 2022 (New York, NY) -- On this day in 1984, the Indian Army launched Operation Blue Star: A coordinated assault on Darbar Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, and dozens of other gurdwaras throughout Punjab. Today, the Sikh Coalition joins Sikhs around the world as we pause in remembrance of this horrific event. We continue to believe that this coordinated operation to devastate our community was an inflection point in modern Sikh history. In addition to claiming thousands of Sikh lives, Operation Blue Star was the beginning of a years-long campaign of targeted killings, mass mob violence, disappearances, and general repression of Sikhs by the Indian state. Those who perpetrated this violence and discrimination--and who perpetuate it, in varying forms, to this day--largely continue to enjoy impunity for their actions. As part of our shared commemoration, we believe that it is important to continue to keep our history alive through honest retellings of the trauma that we have experienced. The Sikh Coalition applauds the work of the 1984 Living History Project, which has documented interviews of eyewitnesses and family members, and Ensaaf, which has done significant research on extrajudicial killings and disappearances in the many years following 1984. As you pause to commemorate this solemn anniversary, you can review their work and other resources: Videos and Personal Accounts An interactive map (released by Ensaaf in 2018, which uses survivor interviews to document more than 5,000 disappearances and extrajudicial executions of Sikhs throughout India) A Witness Among the Bodies (by Ensaaf) Survivor Interviews, Days After Nov. 1984 (by Ensaaf) The Last Killing (by Ensaaf) Mapping June 1984 (by the 1984 Living History Project) Sawinder Singh Recounts His Experiences with 1984 Reports Amnesty International Human Rights Watch / Physicians for Human Rights Ensaaf In just the past few weeks, from Buffalo, NY, to Uvalde, TX, we have seen how bigotry and hateful violence are still wreaking havoc on our communities today. Moreover, resurgent nationalism in the United States, India, and countries around the world continues to drive and spread that violence, often targeting marginalized groups like our own. We will keep demanding accountability and justice for the wrongs committed during and after 1984, and we remain committed to fighting alongside all other groups who have survived hate violence in our shared struggle for civil rights for all. As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly, and to remember and honor those who died doing so.

The Sikh Coalition 50 Broad Street, Suite 504 New York, NY 10004  T 212.655.3095 www.sikhcoalition.org The Sikh Coalition is a community-based organization that works towards the realization of civil and human rights for all people. The Coalition serves as a resource on Sikhs and Sikh concerns for governments, organizations and individuals. The Sikh Coalition relies on your financial support to sustain its initiatives and broaden its services. In addition to supporting the Sikh Coalition directly, we encourage you to use matching donation programs offered by many employers. The Sikh Coalition is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. Thank you for your support.

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