Remembering Women Martyrs of ‘Operation Blue Star’

June

2026

Every year, as Sikhs worldwide remember ‘Operation Blue Star’ (OBS) of June 1984 as Ghallughara (genocide and resistance), much is said about the events that unfolded at Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) and the armed men who participated in it. Yet among the tragedy are poignant stories of innocent women and children who lost their lives in it. ‘Kaurnama 3: Sikh Women Martyrs of June 1984 Ghallughara’ by Baljinder Singh Kotbhara, focuses on the lives and sacrifices of Sikh women who were martyred at Darbar Sahib during the June 1984 Army attack. Released in May 2026, the book is the result of extensive research carried out by Baljinder, who gathered information from surviving family members, relatives, and acquaintances. Perhaps the most haunting testimony is that of two-year-old Surinder Kaur of Batuha village, Sangrur district. According to her father, Preetam Singh, the family had arrived at Darbar Sahib on 3 Jun 1984. When OBS began, they found themselves trapped inside the complex. For days, they struggled to survive amid fear, and severe shortages of food and water. Preetam Singh recalled that the family was forced to drink water flowing through drains to stay alive and as conditions worsened, they even consumed water mixed with blood because there was no other source available. Surinder Kaur lost her life amid the shelling and firing. Her story remains a poignant reminder of the human cost of the events of June 1984. Baljinder says, ‘It took me nearly five to six years to gather information about these women. Even today, I believe there is much more that remains undocumented. The women who played significant roles in the events of 1984 and other important chapters of Sikh history deserve to be remembered and studied.’ The memory of these women also lives on through the photographs displayed in the Shaheedi (Martyrdom) Gallery located in the basement of the OBS Memorial within the Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar. Harsharan Kaur, a journalist adds, ‘As an Amritdhari (initiated) Sikh woman, I believe the lives of the women who came before us offer invaluable lessons in faith, courage, and commitment to the Panth.’ Baljinder adds, ‘Preserving their stories is a responsibility that belongs to all of us. Institutions, particularly the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (Sikh apex body), should make dedicated efforts to document, preserve, and promote these accounts so that future generations can learn about the sacrifices, contributions, and historical significance of these women’ (earlier coverage).