at August 18, 2005 11:25 AMA bone-chilling account of those dark days in 1984 after Indira Gandhi’s assassination from the viewpoint of a Sikh child who witnesses the gruesome murder of Sikhs that followed. I was but a child too, just like Amit was - I was just 10 and barely remember anything beyond watching the Indira Gandhi’s funeral on TV. I have heard about the massacre, but was far enough to be shielded from such monstrosities. I had a happy childhood - unlike Amrit, whose psyche is forever scarred by the fear and rage within from what he went through. I am sorry, Amrit! I am sorry you had to go through this. I feel guilty that this was done to you and yours in the name of religion and revenge. I am ashamed that while living in the same country, I was untouched by anything while you were cowering in fear of your life. I am sorry that when I met Sikhs who had shaved their beards and hair off to save themselves during those days, I didn’t show more interest in their stories and listen them a little more. I wish justice would be done to your cause.
Posted by shanti at August 18, 2005 9:58 AMTrackBack URL for this entry:
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Shanti - I agree.
I was in a play a few years back which was based on the 1984 riots and the way Sikhs were betrayed by a Secular India, not once but wice (Partitions and 1984). I played the Protagonist Sikh guy who geos through the trauma with his family
It is during the research and rehearsals for that play, that I actually found out how horrendous my nation (even theirs) was to the Sikh community which I believe is one of the most tolerant yet brave community in our country.
I have heard equally chilling accounts (like the one from Amit) and it makes me shudder how their lives, their views changed forever.
Posted by: @mit at August 18, 2005 11:18 AM
True, Amit - Sikhs are some of the bravest and most patriotic citizens India has had and it is truly sad regardless of the circumstances how much they have had to suffer. I went to Engineering College with a Sikh guy who was clean-shaven since he had to shave his hair off during the riots. I feel ashamed of myself I never once asked him his story.
Posted by: shanti at August 18, 2005 11:25 AM
Shanti,
That was really a lovely post by Amit and you have done it great justice by posting it here. It was an amazing recollection and no one could have said it better than one who has experienced it first hand. There was so much truth to the kid’s story and it was simply brilliant writing.
Sikhs are certainly among the most loyal and I don’t mean to single them out by saying this. They have over the years endured so much pain and their pagadis, which are supposed to be a symbol of great pride, have been made fun of, by useless fools. I used to have many sikh friends and one of them was a very dear friend of mine, Manpreet Singh. I got to know a lot about their faiths and beliefs. It was quite awesome on how even kids knew about their entire heritage, while I didn’t know a thing about mine!
Kudos to Amit on a very valid post and to you for staging it here with the Dogs!
—Ram
Posted by: Ram at August 18, 2005 12:27 PM
Ram, thank you - it was something I could not skip over. This was a story that needs to be highlighted and remembered between all of us Indians.
Posted by: shanti at August 19, 2005 8:44 AM
our country’s logo is SATYA ’ MAY ’ JAYTE.
so logo confirm the story of justice
Posted by: jaswinder at November 5, 2005 6:05 AM