1984 Genocide a ‘Blot on Humanity’; ‘Takht Hazur Sahib’ Board Reinstated

November

2026

Terming the November 1984 genocide ‘a blot on the world’s largest democracy’, apex Sikh management body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the wounds of the victims and their families remained unhealed after more than four decades. In a statement, Dhami paid tribute to the Sikhs, including men, women, and children, who were killed in Delhi and other parts of India during the violence. He alleged that the genocide was carried out with the patronage of the then ruling Indian National Congress government and that Sikhs were subjected to inhuman atrocities for nearly a week. The exact number of Sikh officers and soldiers who were murdered, solely because of their faith, often while traveling or off-duty, is still not known. In 1991, a then member of Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament), Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora (retd), had specifically asked about Sikh officers killed in the genocide but received no answer. In October 2008, ‘The Indian Express’ reported that the Indian Army’s Ceremonial and Welfare Directorate in the Adjutant General’s Branch had formally admitted for the first time that 34 Army personnel, including one ex-serviceman, were killed. A note was circulated to the various Commands and Regiments seeking details of the victims, and urging speedy processing of compensation cases under the central rehabilitation package announced in January 2006. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has reinstated the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Board, following directions from the Bombay High Court, ending a period of administration by a government-appointed administrator after the board’s dissolution in 2022. While board president Bhupinder Singh Minhas has passed away, the remaining eight members are expected to assume charge. Furthermore, addressing the 10^th anniversary event of the UK-based Sikh Recovery Network at the UK Parliament, Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne) Jathedar (leader) Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj called for a comprehensive approach to tackle the drug menace, stressing that curbing drug supplies and providing effective rehabilitation must go hand in hand. Giani Gargajj also attended a commemoration organized by the UK's local Sikh community in Thetford town to mark the 133^rd death anniversary of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last ruler of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's empire, who was exiled to England in 1849 after the British annexed Panjab (earlier coverage).