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

For More Information

http://1984india.wordpress.com/