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1984 Unimaginable
Tyranny
Dr. Amrik Singh
 Harmandir Sahib
occupies a special place in the Sikh psyche. It is an exclusive
territory of the Sikhs open to people of all persuasions. Disturbing
its reigning peace and harmony with artillery fire led to utter
shock and disbelief. 1984 invasion came after 219 years. Though the
English had their agents in Sikh Gurdwaras, they avoided launching
an attack on Sikhs’ most revered shrine. Earlier attacks on
Golden Temple
had identical response of the Sikhs, but June 1984 traumatized the
community in a different way. Sardar Ajmer Singh, author of 1984
Unchitviya Kehar (1984 Unimaginable Tyranny) expressed his views
during a talk on Saturday, June 27, 2009 arranged by Sikh Youth of
America (Bay Area Unit). Introducing the author, Jasjeet Singh of
Amritsar Media Group urged a distinguished gathering of scholars to
participate in the discussion and dwell on points raised by Sardar
Ajmer Singh in his third book on Sikh polity.
The author
stated that some Sikh intellectuals blamed Sant Jarnail Singh
Bhindranwale for the desecration of the holy place. Alternative
sites like Mehta Chowk would have been appropriate for fighting with
the army. Challenging the audience about their perception of Sant
Jarnail Singh’s decision to fight from the precincts of the Akal
Takht, the author characterized it as necessary for safeguarding
Sikh legacy. Earlier taking part in debate, some said Sant Jarnail
Singh’s action was to defend the Harminder Sahib, and others
believed it was the only option left to appropriate the spirit of
Miri Piri. Sant Bhindranwale, however, had premonition of a
tactically planned military operation. He was aware that Pundits had
predicted a rollercoaster ride for Indira Gandhi in general
elections due that year after the Blue Star operation. A coordinated
attack on 37 other gurdwaras was to give the severest blow to the
Sikh psyche. November 1984 tyranny against Sikhs outside
Punjab speaks a
lot about the structuring of the Hindu nationalism regardless of its
rhetoric of secularism and universal brotherhood.
 The author
explained how the course of history changes when unique acts of
valor occur for the expression of self respect. Baba Deep Singh’s
decision to liberate Golden temple was one such action. He inspired
many on the way to enact legendary heroism in the history of
mankind. His battle played a dynamic role in Sikh history. The
symbolic sacrifice set a paradigm for generations to come. Among
unique dynamic exploits before Baba Deep Singh, Baba Banda Bahadur
is remembered as the first to cut a hole in the mighty Mughal
Empire. It not only led to the establishment of the Khalsa Raj in
1799, but also excited the East India Company to fantasize their
rule in the rest of
India.
Sardar Ajmer
Singh reminded that 1984 attack on
Golden Temple
remains a contrast to earlier attacks. A significant section of Sikh
community perceived it with the eyes that were colored by the Hindu
nationalist media. Ajmer Singh pointed out that pens had stopped to
make sense of the acute pain of 1984. In the post 1984 era, even
writers like Khushwant Singh had to revise his earlier discredited
opinions; he joined with other writers to stress on Sikhs’
subjugation. The author admits it was not easy to write about one of
the severest crises in the written history of the Sikhs. It has to
be put in the perspective that encompasses the entire tragedy of
Sikhs’ dreams, hopes and aspirations in free India.
Guru Arjan Dev
ji after having completed Aad Granth and Harmandar Sahib had sensed
that conspiracy was afoot to destroy his work. He had already
ordered buying horses, so that Sikhs’ spirit could be elevated and
made fearless to defend the legacy of Saints, Bhagats and Gurus.
Turning points in history are hard to understand at the time of
occurrence. Contradictory claims and counterclaims mark the
beginning of such phases. But it is the concluding stage that
establishes the truth of an epoch. Sixth Nanak, Guru Hargobind’s
war–like spirit had created a crisis for even devout Sikhs of his
time. It is no wonder Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale had mixed
response from Sikhs in the twentieth century.
 Baba Deep
Singh’s decision might have been naive from the tactical point of
view, but that was precisely vibrant push for the history. Sant
Jarnail Singh’s counterattack was a defining moment for Sikhs who
had been suffering onslaughts of media, police, paramilitary and
military operations. November 1984 exemplified the modus operandi of
the fifth column, the faceless mob. That is why in 25 years, Indian
criminal justice could not identify any faces so far who were
responsible for thousands of Sikhs’ lynching.
The whole
discussion took place in an atmosphere of peace. The author
respected others’ difference of opinions. He answered questions
focused around the viewpoint that Sant Jarnail Singh was a ploy of
the politics of Darbara Singh and Giani Zail Singh. The destruction
of reference library also figured in the discussion. Dr. Harbans
Singh Saroan moderated the discussion deftly.
1
July 2009
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