1984 Anti-Sikh RiotsSimi Rajpal
HistoryHow It Began & Ended
Before
Partition(1947)
•Divided India into India and Pakistan•Split Punjab into two pieces with a larger part in
Pakistan•Punjabi people wanted Punjab to be its own country•unsuccessful
In 1984•Sikh militants were still planning on making Punjab
a country•Storing arms and having meeting in the Golden
Temple•Prime Minister Indra Gandhi sent the Indian Military
to flush out the Sikhs
Chain of Results Prime Minister Indra Gandhi was assassinated by her own Sikh guards
October 31st
Indians were angeredImmediately began riots against SikhsRiots end on the day of Indra Gandhi’s cremation
November 2nd
Sikh Man Surrounded
This bus was stopped by rioters and this man was dragged out of it. The rioters will either beat him to death or burn him alive.
Blood
This Sikh man was thrown from the rooftop and left to die in the middle of the street.
Important Events
See Poster
PeopleExperiences Of Those Who Survived
Those Who SurvivedASHULived in safe government colonyStones thrown at houseMilitary check on themAfraid for father
JASBIRSmall poor townStones thrown at themMoved to police station for one nightLived in safe house for ten days with other familiesOwn house almost burned downFather almost attackedExtreme discrimination afterwards
Compare/Contrast in Feelings
Ashu• Fear for father• Deep concern
from military• Betrayal by
friends
Jasbir• Fear for both
near and far family
• Discomfort• Home in danger• Father almost
attacked
- Concern from officials
- Fear
-Safe Afterwards
What MatteredWhere people lived changed how the riots affected them
Small town with more Sikhs = more riots Larger government colony with less Sikhs = safer
After riots ended, appearance of Sikh brought discrimination
TruthWhat Really Happened
What Really HappenedSome people were lucky enough to escape the worstInnocent people died for what two Sikhs did
TodaySimilar to the way we have looked at Muslims since 9/11
Couple of people made bad choices, whole religious group is punished
Still affecting Sikhs today Only a 1% conviction rate