The event commemorated the massacre at Amritsar and the Sikh victims of the recent farmers protest
A CANDLELIT vigil was organised by the group Sikhs of Wales and held on the steps of The Senedd to remember the victims of the 1984 massacre of Sikhs in Amritsar, India.
The event last night was the first Sikh vigil ever to be held in Wales.
A collection of speakers addressed the crowd about the 1984 massacre and the human cost of this year’s agricultural protests in India.
“This is particularly important for the younger generation who won’t remember what happened in 1984,” said Amarjit Singh, a Cardiff resident and one of the administrators of Sikhs for Wales.
The assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards was an act of retaliation after she had ordered the Indian Army to attack the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) gurdwara in Amritsar, Punjab.
The attack on the spiritual home of Sikhism was against armed Sikh groups seeking greater autonomy for the majority Sikh Punjab region of India.
Indian government estimates place the death toll at around 3,350 nationwide, but independent sources place it far higher at between 8,000 and 17,000 deaths.
While governments around the world do not recognise it as such, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, leader of Sikhs worldwide, declared the massacre as a genocide in 2010.
Ranpreet Singh, 36, from Cardiff, recounted his family’s experience as a Sikh family in Delhi during the massacre: “My mum was pregnant in 1984, and my family hid in a bathroom for 48 hours.
“Our neighbour saved our family, but one of my father’s best friends was killed.”
The event also mourned the deaths of 700 Sikh farmers this past year, who died protesting against Indian PM Narendra Modi’s new agricultural policies. Photographs of the farmers were present at the vigil, and candles were placed in front of them during the event.
Sahib Bains, 21, from Cardiff, spoke at the vigil. She mentioned in her speech that she was first made aware of the events of 1984 from a vigil just like this one when she was a child and hopes that this event inspires others in a similar way.
‘There is a strong Sikh community here, and events like these are a good start for people.
“These vigils raise awareness of the inter-generational trauma that affects many Sikhs who witnessed the events of 1984. It’s something that is particularly hard for parents to talk about.”
Very few arrests have been made relating to the 1984 massacre, with the first high-profile conviction happening in December 2018.
Sahib believes that the Indian government is being slow to proceed with convictions on purpose.
“Modi’s government are knowingly dragging their feet. Government officials aren’t innocent.”
We take so much for granted living here in Cardiff. Our existence as a minority has been a great struggle.
Harnak Singh
Harnak Singh, 42, from Blackwood, volunteered at the event. He said: “Our message is one of human rights for everyone.
“We want the next generation to connect with their history and sacrifices made by the people for basic rights and freedoms.
“We take so much for granted living here in Cardiff. Our existence as a minority has been a great struggle.”
