3,000 Sikhs Killed in Days – Who Ordered the 1984 Massacre? | 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Explained

 In 1984, the streets of Delhi were filled with an atmosphere of fear and dread.

As the sun set, walls and roads were stained red with the blood of innocent Sikh men, women, and children.

Just days after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination, approximately 3,000 Sikhs were brutally murdered, many burnt alive. The violence soon spread across Punjab as well.

The screams of children, prayers of mothers, and the last pleas of elders were swallowed by smoke and dust.

But the question remains:

Was this simply uncontrolled mob violence?

Or was it a planned, state-supported operation aimed at a specific community?

Role of the Police: Protectors Turned Perpetrators

Reports from human rights organizations, including PUCL–PUDR in their report “Who Are The Guilty?”, revealed shocking details:

• The Delhi Police did not attempt to stop the mobs.

• Instead, mobs were reportedly provided with addresses of Sikh homes and shops.

• Witnesses stated that the police even supplied fuel and kerosene to the attackers.

Those meant to uphold the law effectively enabled the killings.

Political Leaders and Organized Violence

The Nanavati Commission, set up by the Indian government, confirmed that some political leaders actively led mobs and orchestrated attacks.

Notable names mentioned include:

• Sajjan Kumar

• Jagdish Tytler

These leaders allegedly organized mobs, supplied information, and directed attacks, raising questions about the extent of state involvement.

Allegations Against Intelligence Agencies

Independent journalists and former intelligence officers have claimed that the mobs used “hit lists” detailing:

• Names of Sikh families

• Exact home addresses

• Entry points and timings of family members

Such detailed information could not have come from ordinary criminals. Reports suggest that RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), India’s external intelligence agency, may have had access to such lists, making the killings systematic rather than spontaneous.

If true, this indicates the operation was coordinated at a higher level, targeting the Sikh community politically and militarily.

Army’s Double Role: Operation Blue Star and Beyond

In June 1984, the Indian Army launched Operation Blue Star inside the Golden Temple, Amritsar.

Official reports claimed over 500 Sikhs were killed, while local estimates suggest the number was much higher.

Afterwards, Operation Woodrose began:

• Punjab villages were raided

• Young men were taken from homes

• Torture and encounters claimed thousands more lives

Estimates suggest 5,000–8,000 Sikhs disappeared or were killed during this crackdown.

Narrative Control: From Martyrs to Militants

While Sikh soldiers who fought for India were hailed as martyrs, those who demanded justice or autonomy were branded Khalistanis.

The media, reportedly influenced by intelligence inputs, painted the Sikh community as militant, obscuring the truth of state involvement and systematic targeting.

The Objective: Weakening Political and Military Influence

Analysts argue that the true goal of the 1984 violence was to weaken the Sikh community politically and militarily.

Punjab, as a border state with a strong Sikh presence, had always been a strategic concern for central authorities, given the community’s history of courage and questioning authority.

Was RAW Fully Involved?

While evidence primarily points toward political leaders and police, the organized nature of the attacks, detailed hit lists, and coordination with the army suggest higher-level involvement, potentially including intelligence agencies like RAW.

This raises troubling questions about the extent of state-sanctioned violence.

Conclusion: The Journey for Justice Continues

The wounds of 1984 were not only those of the Sikh community—they were wounds to humanity itself.

Critical questions remain unanswered:

• Why was such a massive operation carried out?

• Why was Bhindranwale killed inside the Golden Temple instead of being captured alive for trial?

• Why were Sikhs denied their political representation and rights?

• Who authorized raids and killings of civilians across Punjab?

• Was this truly a law-and-order issue, or a deliberate attempt to suppress a community?

Until the masterminds—whether political leaders, police officials, or intelligence officers—are held accountable, the truth of 1984 remains incomplete.

The lessons of 1984 remain crucial: silenced voices and unchecked power can threaten the rights of all minorities, not just one community.