Amritsar, November 1
Every year 31st October brings back memories of the dreadful pogrom against Sikhs that haunt not only the families of the victims but on vast majority, who witnessed the events as outsiders. Majha House, in order to honour the memories of those whose lives were lost and uprooted during the period held a session titled 1984/ Chaurasi. Activist and author Gurmeher Kaur, former diplomat Navtej Sarna, author and artist Sunil Mehra, Ishmeet Kaur Chaudhary, SS Behl, Ujjal Dosanjh and Saif Mahmood were part of the session.
“Even today, thirty-seven years down the line, makes us wonder about how we should deal with it, talk about it and voice our right to justice. We want to remember that time. And as we remember we stand by those innocents who bore the brunt of the political fever of the times,” said Preeti Gill, founder, Majha House, while opening the conversation.
Prof SS Behl, academician and poet, recited a heartening poem titled “Ehh Meri Atam Katha”. It was a historical reference on the changing narrative and perception around minorities and Sikhs over the period of time, whether it is 1947 or 1984.
Saif Mahmood, lawyer and author, recited letters of Ghalib and how the situation he described during the 1857 mutiny was similar to what happened in 1984. Sunil Mehra and Navtej Sarna read stories of victims of 1984 riots from Delhi and how they were left on streets, without a home or a sense of belonging.
Gurmeher said, “We are here not to scratch the wounds but to honour their memories. The Sikh community is not the one to whine but we need to understand the pain that an entire community had to face.”
Canada-based author said, “Religion had no place in my heart before 1984. But after 1984, I had to say publicly that come from Sikh family and I completely discouraged any kind of violence that was being perpetrated.” — TNS
Remembering ’84 with changed perspective
{$excerpt:n}
