The Kaurs of 1984: The Untold, Unheard Stories of Sikh Women
Summary
More than three decades after Operation Blue Star of June 1984 and the anti-Sikh riots later that year, a young man is given the task of researching the violence. What he finds devastates him. Among the many oral testimonies, one crucial constituency has remained silent. Hundreds of Sikh women witnessed hell coming to life that year. These included women who were stranded inside the Golden Temple, who stood by their militant men, and those who were, at one time in their lives, militants themselves. They are rape survivors. They are among the murdered. They are the forgotten.
Sanam Sutirath Wazir’s research has taken him across north India to meet the women who lived to tell the tale, many of whom are still fighting invisible battles for justice. Based on interviews and extensive historical research, in The Kaurs of 1984, Wazir weaves together scattered stories of grief, betrayal and loss that finally brings Sikh women out of the shadows of contemporary Indian history.
Introduction
Sanam Sutirath Wazir is a human rights activist from Jammu and Kashmir. He has dedicated himself to preserving historical accounts of mass violence and injustices using firsthand testimonies. His book, ‘The Kaurs of 1984’ dives into a dark chapter of Indian history – the 1984 anti-Sikh violence. Often overlooked in historical narratives, these are the experiences of the Sikh women during this period. Wazir’s book aims to rectify this by weaving together oral histories and research to bring the different stories of the dreams, lives, and underlying trauma of Sikh women to life. Women’s voices are often missing from mainstream history, and this is Wazir’s attempt at bridging that gap.
Writing & Content
Wazir interviewed multiple women and penned their stories in this book. It includes the sagas of civilians such as Rajbir Kaur, Harmeet Kaur, Darshan Kaur, Satwant Kaur, Nirpreet Kaur, Bimal Kaur, and a dozen others then the militants who lifted arms for personal means in the wake of the violence of 1984 such as Harjeet Kaur, Gurdev Kaur, Rajinder Kaur, etc. The interviews conducted are as emotionally draining as horrifying — ranging from young girls and pregnant women being raped to women who witnessed their loved ones being burned alive. These interviews, experiences, emotional upheaval, and the lasting trauma form the plot of the book. It doesn’t follow a single linear plot but is a collection of interconnected stories. We meet women who witnessed the horrors within the Golden Temple, those who stood by their militant husbands, and even some who later became militants themselves. Through their detailed testimonies, the reader experiences these women’s trauma, loss, resilience, and hope. Written with data collected over a span of 10 years, this book serves as an encyclopedia on the 1984 pogrom and its aftermath.
“In this unending chaos, and with the passage of time since then, the voices of the Kaurs who lived through unimaginable horror and trauma have been silenced. And once I became aware of this silence, I wanted to undo it. I wanted to ensure that the voices of these survivors were heard and their stories remembered.”
Language & Style
Wazir’s writing style is both unflinching and compassionate. He doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the events, but he also approaches the women’s experiences with empathy and respect. The language is clear and direct, allowing his motive to take center stage so that the real picture is seen and known by one and all. The book is written in an easy flow, simpler language, flitting between memories of the traumatic past actioned in Punjab and later Delhi. The writing style makes the book easily accessible to both readers and non-readers alike. It is a non-academic read and steers clear of fancy language making it an empathetic read that ploughs emotions and sympathy within its readers.
“In this unending chaos, and with the passage of time since then, the voices of the Kaurs who lived through unimaginable horror and trauma have been silenced. And once I became aware of this silence, I wanted to undo it. I wanted to ensure that the voices of these survivors were heard and their stories remembered.”
Engageability
As you flip each page, you will encounter different women—the young, the girls, the middle-aged, the old, all survivors. Each woman’s story is unique, etched with the indelible mark of violence. We encounter survivors of rape, those who lost loved ones, those who picked up arms, and those who continue to fight for justice. Their voices are raw and powerful, which will leave a lasting impression. This work acknowledges how women perhaps go through ten times more violence and trauma than their male counterparts, during wars and genocide. Their bodies become the ultimate sites of violence, humiliation, and crackdown, repetitively through history. These culled from a very recent history, the reader learns more about the various bloody incidents in Indian history such as Operation Blue Star, Operation Woodrose, Indira Gandhi’s assassination, the genocide of 1984, with blood-curdling details. They sure keep you glued to the page hoping for some rays of hope in the form of justice; that which never comes.
“How easily women become the first casualty of every conflict, large or small. Rape and gendered segregation are common weapons of war and ethnic cleansing.”
The Kaurs of 1984 primarily focuses on North India, particularly Delhi, in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination that led to far-spread violence and the genocide of the Sikhs, right in the heart of the capital. It attempts to recall the fear and chaos that descended amidst the streets of Delhi caused by organized mobs. The planned genocide of the Sikhs was fulfilled through iron rods and cans of petrol and kerosene followed by identifying Sikh establishments and looting them or burning them down. One is left to wonder how the capital fell prey to such heinous crimes in an independent country, but also is appalled by those bestowed with the duty to protect the people, but were the first ones to turn their backs. The city in itself became an enemy to the Sikh community, but not more than its people, police, and the ruling party who only watched the spectacle. One wonders – where’s humanity, where’s justice, where’s the will to right by the wronged, and why are their cries so easily ignored and left unacknowledged for forty years now?
Final Verdict
The Kaurs of 1984 is a necessary and important read. It sheds light on a neglected aspect of history and gives voice to the women who suffered through unimaginable trauma. It’s a painful but powerful odyssey of grit and resilience and a call for acknowledging the silenced grieving voices of the past. That said, it’s not an easy read; it’s one that will tear the reader apart, so be prepared for an intense read, one that readers won’t forget anytime soon. Trigger warning includes: rape and sexual violence, immolation, and description of blood and gore. The book reminds us of some many other horrific tales of partition, of Kashmir, and several others scattered through the pages of history.
Author Profile
Sanam Sutirath Wazir, a committed advocate for human rights from Jammu and Kashmir, is deeply engaged in documenting historical injustices and large-scale violence through oral history. He has successfully mobilized support from over half a million people across the world in advocating for justice for the victims of anti-Sikh massacres. His works, including ‘An Era of Injustice for the 1984 Sikh Massacre’, ‘The 1984 Sikh Massacre as Witnessed by a 15-year-old’ and ‘The Continuing Injustice of the 1984 Sikh Massacre’, are published by Amnesty International, etc.
Have you read ‘The Kaurs of 1984′? What did you think?
