Date:6th June, 2018
 
Remembering This Day In Sikh History: Assault on Darbar Sahib
 
Video:Remembering This Day In Sikh History: Assault on Darbar Sahib
 
June 6, 1984 – It's a scorching hot day in Amritsar, where thousands of Sikhs worship daily at the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) amidst months of unrest throughout Punjab, India. During this time, devotees in the tens of thousands are in the complex to commemorate the martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev Ji, the 5th Sikh Guru.
 
The government has imposed a strict curfew, and public transportation activity has completely halted. All communication to the outside world, including phone and fax lines, have been cut by the government. Journalists are not allowed access to Amritsar.
 
The Prime Minister of India orders an assault on Darbar Sahib, code-named by the army as Operation Bluestar. A 12,000-troop military attack descends on the Sikh community supported by tanks, heavy artillery and helicopters.
 
Thousands lost their lives in Darbar Sahib complex and throughout Punjab during the attack. On the anniversary of this tragic event, UNITED SIKHS remain steadfast in our mission to transform, alleviate, educate and protect the lives of the underprivileged.
 
Now on the ground in Shillong providing aid during an ongoing human rights crisis, we are reminded of the issues that are ever present in the community today. Through God’s grace, we have been able to provide local residents with fire safety training and extinguishers to protect themselves from the constant threat of petrol bombs.
 
Today alone, we distributed enough rice and lentils to feed 5,000 people from our food distribution site at Barra Bazaar, Punjabi Lane. As we continue to serve those affected by days of unrest and violence in Shillong, we thank you for your support.
 
Without you, this vital humanitarian work would not be possible. In honor of those we lost today in 1984, UNITED SIKHS continue to strive towards creating a more just and caring world. Please join our efforts to uplift the voice of the community and represent Sikhs globally by taking our civil rights survey here.
 
To continue supporting our global projects that aim to uplift the welfare of humankind, please visit www.UNITEDSIKHS.org to donate or volunteer.
 
Issued by:
Gurvinder Singh
Director, UNITED SIKHS
E:sikhaid@unitedsikhs.org
 
 
ABOUT UNITED SIKHS
UNITED SIKHS is a United Nations-affiliated, international charity that advocates for civil and human rights globally. Our International Civil & Human Rights Advocacy helps advance the economic, social and spiritual empowerment of minorities and other marginalized groups and individuals in need, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social status, age or ability. We achieve this by protecting and enforcing the civil and human rights of minorities and marginalized groups in the Americas, Europe and Asia.