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The Kaurs of 1984: The Untold, Unheard Stories of Sikh Women
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.
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.
- GenresNonfictionIndiaHistory
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 17, 2025
Easily the most painful book I have ever read. Took me three months to read. I don't think I have ever read a more important book either. I am grateful that this book exists.
Along with the very important testimonies of the women who survived 1984, it also talks about how people picked up arms after 1984, the Khalistani movement, the drug addiction crisis in the kids of 1984, and so many other important aspects. It talks about how Punjab became a police state, how the state violence kept going on for years and years and how both this and the genocide impacted generations. The book talks about the use of white phosphorus by the murderous mobs, the mass rapes of Sikh women, so many things that I never knew about 1984 and the violence my family lived through.
Along with the very important testimonies of the women who survived 1984, it also talks about how people picked up arms after 1984, the Khalistani movement, the drug addiction crisis in the kids of 1984, and so many other important aspects. It talks about how Punjab became a police state, how the state violence kept going on for years and years and how both this and the genocide impacted generations. The book talks about the use of white phosphorus by the murderous mobs, the mass rapes of Sikh women, so many things that I never knew about 1984 and the violence my family lived through.
December 13, 2024
A harrowing account of the atrocities committed on Sikh women in the 1984 Genocide. Although many books published earlier have detailed the killings of thousands of Sikh men, the brutalities committed on women and their suffering have not been brought to light. Sanam Wazir has written their heartbreaking accounts with empathy and humanity. Even the writing of this book was tough for him, with threats, humiliation, intimidation, and official apathy blocking his path. Do read this book if you're a minority, in your land, a woman, a Sikh, or a human.
October 19, 2025
Personally, I still have vivid memories of the riots in 1984. I was 11, and staying in Delhi's Karol Bagh in my mother's ancestral home having recently moved from Nagpur. Our lane had a few Sikh families that we were friends with from my grandfather's days. My maternal uncle studied in Khalsa School right opposite to where we lived. The Hindus, who were a majority in this lane hid these families in their homes, while Delhi continued to burn. While no loss of life was reported as a result, the property spread elsewhere in the city was pillaged. When we moved to Dhundahera on the old Jaipur Highway just across the Delhi Border into Gurgaon, the smell of the burnt trucks, petrol pumps still hung in the air.
--------------------------------
"Although there were some women who showed a predisposition towards militancy, it was only police brutality that prompted them to join the armed struggle" - Balbir Kaur (name changed), a young college student in Ludhiana (p. 142)
*** Till date, no one knows who actually ordered Operation Blue Star and there is no record of whether the decision was an oral order or a written one ***
Graphic, disturbing, unsettling and psychologically nerve wracking, Sanam Sutirath Wazir's 'The Kaurs of 1984' is a responsibly researched book that covers the horrors of the Anti-Sikh pogrom in Punjab and Delhi with a high degree of sensitivity from the perspective of the women's lens, that have often been relegated to a cluster of narratives on the topic, albeit in a patriarchal manner.
The collusion of the Congress goons & mercenaries, police, military and para forces in the immediate aftermath of the Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguards on 31st October, 1984 to avenge the desecration of Sikhism's Holiest Shrine, Golden Temple and Akhal Takht by the launch of Operation Blue Star in the summer of 1984 is a narrative of barbarity rain down on Sikhs. Add to that the callous admission made by Rajiv Gandhi on the 19th of November 1984, "When a big tree falls, the earth shakes" was widely criticized for appearing to justify the deadly anti-Sikh riots. Even the former Prime Minister, Late Manmohan Singh's apology made twenty one years later was a regret in the course of a debate on the Nanavati Commission Report, rather than as part of the pre-declared announcement that the Prime Minister of the country would apologise for what had happened in 1984.
While the Blue Star was the crossing of the critical mass hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikhs and leading to arranged insurgency in the state, the real precursor was the Nirankari -Akali classy in Amritsar in 1978. This refers to a series of violent confrontations between the Sant Nirankari Mission and various Sikh groups, which began when a protest by Sikh groups like the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Damdami Taksal against a Nirankari convention turned violent, resulting in at least 13 Sikhs and 3 Nirankaris killed. The conflict stemmed from theological differences, as the Nirankari movement was viewed by many orthodox Sikhs as heterodox for having living Gurus. The 1978 incident led to a series of retaliatory acts, an edict from the Akal Takht calling for a boycott of Nirankaris.
Many of the Kaurs mentioned in the book found themselves inadvertently in the precincts of the Golden Temple when Blue Star was about to be launched. Some had gone to feed their famished daughters at the langar, some with their families to listen to the sermon by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and some as pilgrims. The women were devastated after the operation that saw the Shrine pummeled and the event left a permanent scar. This eventually led many take to arms and the path of insurgency via the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF). These women didn't have it easy, for negotiating the patriarchal Punjab led them to compromise a lot of values they otherwise would have held on to, but for the cause, the cause of retributive justice they strongly clung to. The travails of these women have been clinically dealt with by the author Sanam Wazir. These have been the oblivious voices hitherto marginalized and yet their tales of surviving the Blue Star and the atrocities unleashed after the assassination of Indira Gandhi in extreme savagery is a most chilling account gathered in a little more than 200 pages. The Kaurs of Punjab (Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, etc), Delhi (be it Block 32 in Trilokpuri, or Mukherjee Nagar, or seeking refuge in Chilla, or the widows' colony in Tilak Vihar), or Hondh in Haryana's Rewari district have for the first time seen their scattered accounts clustered into Sanam's account of women subjected to disturbingly grievous, betrayal and sense of loss, bringing it out of the shadows of the tumultuous history of Punjab in the last quarter of the 20th century. The book packs these traumas till the second phase of Operation Black Thunder, yet another assault on the Golden Temple to flush out the extremists seeking refuge there in 1988. The wounds only deepened.
The Kaurs of 1984 have withstood the abysmal human nature, left alone, subjected to stigma and discrimination, with little to no aid from the state, and were it not for the NGOs and Gurudwara Committees, the ordeals would have multiplied, not that they didn't. Unlawful detention, rapes, pillage, killing of near and dear ones, including infants, use of white phosphorus powder, excruciating pain of pulling out nails, burning alive, stabbing with the trident and other gory acts continued for three days after Indira Gandhi's assassination, provoked by Congress leaders HKL Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler killed Sikhs up north of 3000. That justice wasn't delivered was a further insult and humiliation to the people who are driven by 'Sewa Dharm' as their religious way of life is cruelty far beyond words. The various SITs, Commissions set up to being the perpetrators to book, literally ended up in farce and exponential tragedy as a result. The book ends on a dismal note, "Thousands of cases involving the disappearance of Sikh young men and women remain unsolved to this day".
While the separate statehood for Khalistan petered out by Operation Black Thunder in 1988, it should, however, be noted that Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale himself never advocated for it. He, though, was an ardent supporter of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution of 1973. I strongly suggest Terry Milewski's 'Blood for Blood - Fifty Years of the Global Khalistan Project', and GBS Sidhu's 'The Khalistan Conspiracy' for a wider historical perspective.
--------------------------------
"Although there were some women who showed a predisposition towards militancy, it was only police brutality that prompted them to join the armed struggle" - Balbir Kaur (name changed), a young college student in Ludhiana (p. 142)
*** Till date, no one knows who actually ordered Operation Blue Star and there is no record of whether the decision was an oral order or a written one ***
Graphic, disturbing, unsettling and psychologically nerve wracking, Sanam Sutirath Wazir's 'The Kaurs of 1984' is a responsibly researched book that covers the horrors of the Anti-Sikh pogrom in Punjab and Delhi with a high degree of sensitivity from the perspective of the women's lens, that have often been relegated to a cluster of narratives on the topic, albeit in a patriarchal manner.
The collusion of the Congress goons & mercenaries, police, military and para forces in the immediate aftermath of the Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguards on 31st October, 1984 to avenge the desecration of Sikhism's Holiest Shrine, Golden Temple and Akhal Takht by the launch of Operation Blue Star in the summer of 1984 is a narrative of barbarity rain down on Sikhs. Add to that the callous admission made by Rajiv Gandhi on the 19th of November 1984, "When a big tree falls, the earth shakes" was widely criticized for appearing to justify the deadly anti-Sikh riots. Even the former Prime Minister, Late Manmohan Singh's apology made twenty one years later was a regret in the course of a debate on the Nanavati Commission Report, rather than as part of the pre-declared announcement that the Prime Minister of the country would apologise for what had happened in 1984.
While the Blue Star was the crossing of the critical mass hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikhs and leading to arranged insurgency in the state, the real precursor was the Nirankari -Akali classy in Amritsar in 1978. This refers to a series of violent confrontations between the Sant Nirankari Mission and various Sikh groups, which began when a protest by Sikh groups like the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Damdami Taksal against a Nirankari convention turned violent, resulting in at least 13 Sikhs and 3 Nirankaris killed. The conflict stemmed from theological differences, as the Nirankari movement was viewed by many orthodox Sikhs as heterodox for having living Gurus. The 1978 incident led to a series of retaliatory acts, an edict from the Akal Takht calling for a boycott of Nirankaris.
Many of the Kaurs mentioned in the book found themselves inadvertently in the precincts of the Golden Temple when Blue Star was about to be launched. Some had gone to feed their famished daughters at the langar, some with their families to listen to the sermon by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and some as pilgrims. The women were devastated after the operation that saw the Shrine pummeled and the event left a permanent scar. This eventually led many take to arms and the path of insurgency via the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF). These women didn't have it easy, for negotiating the patriarchal Punjab led them to compromise a lot of values they otherwise would have held on to, but for the cause, the cause of retributive justice they strongly clung to. The travails of these women have been clinically dealt with by the author Sanam Wazir. These have been the oblivious voices hitherto marginalized and yet their tales of surviving the Blue Star and the atrocities unleashed after the assassination of Indira Gandhi in extreme savagery is a most chilling account gathered in a little more than 200 pages. The Kaurs of Punjab (Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, etc), Delhi (be it Block 32 in Trilokpuri, or Mukherjee Nagar, or seeking refuge in Chilla, or the widows' colony in Tilak Vihar), or Hondh in Haryana's Rewari district have for the first time seen their scattered accounts clustered into Sanam's account of women subjected to disturbingly grievous, betrayal and sense of loss, bringing it out of the shadows of the tumultuous history of Punjab in the last quarter of the 20th century. The book packs these traumas till the second phase of Operation Black Thunder, yet another assault on the Golden Temple to flush out the extremists seeking refuge there in 1988. The wounds only deepened.
The Kaurs of 1984 have withstood the abysmal human nature, left alone, subjected to stigma and discrimination, with little to no aid from the state, and were it not for the NGOs and Gurudwara Committees, the ordeals would have multiplied, not that they didn't. Unlawful detention, rapes, pillage, killing of near and dear ones, including infants, use of white phosphorus powder, excruciating pain of pulling out nails, burning alive, stabbing with the trident and other gory acts continued for three days after Indira Gandhi's assassination, provoked by Congress leaders HKL Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler killed Sikhs up north of 3000. That justice wasn't delivered was a further insult and humiliation to the people who are driven by 'Sewa Dharm' as their religious way of life is cruelty far beyond words. The various SITs, Commissions set up to being the perpetrators to book, literally ended up in farce and exponential tragedy as a result. The book ends on a dismal note, "Thousands of cases involving the disappearance of Sikh young men and women remain unsolved to this day".
While the separate statehood for Khalistan petered out by Operation Black Thunder in 1988, it should, however, be noted that Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale himself never advocated for it. He, though, was an ardent supporter of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution of 1973. I strongly suggest Terry Milewski's 'Blood for Blood - Fifty Years of the Global Khalistan Project', and GBS Sidhu's 'The Khalistan Conspiracy' for a wider historical perspective.
July 16, 2024
First published on www.missbookthief.com
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thank you @harpercollinsindia for the ARC.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thank you @harpercollinsindia for the ARC.
July 24, 2024
The Kaurs of 1984: The Untold, Unheard Stories of Sikh Women by Sanam Sutirath Wazir is a powerful and poignant narrative that sheds light on the harrowing experiences of Sikh women during one of the darkest periods in contemporary Indian history. Through meticulous research and deeply personal interviews, Wazir brings to the forefront the voices of those who have long been silenced and overlooked.
Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous events of 1984, following Operation Blue Star and the anti-Sikh violence that erupted later that year, the book follows a young man's journey as he delves into the historical and personal ramifications of this violence. As he uncovers stories of unimaginable suffering and resilience, he is devastated by the extent of the trauma endured by the Sikh community, particularly its women.
Wazir's narrative is built on a foundation of extensive oral testimonies and historical research, highlighting the experiences of Sikh women who lived through the hellish events of 1984. These women include those who were trapped inside the Golden Temple during the military operation, those who supported their militant husbands, and even those who took up arms themselves. They are rape survivors, witnesses to murder, and individuals who have been largely forgotten in the annals of history.
Wazir's work is characterized by its unflinching honesty and compassionate storytelling. The themes of grief, betrayal, and loss are prevalent throughout the book, painting a vivid picture of the physical and emotional scars left by the violence. The narrative also emphasizes the ongoing struggles of these women, many of whom are still fighting for justice and recognition decades later.
The writing is both evocative and empathetic, capturing the women interviewed's raw emotions and profound strength. Wazir’s ability to weave individual stories into a cohesive and impactful narrative is commendable, making the book not just a historical account but also a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Sikh women.
The Kaurs of 1984 is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the full impact of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence. Sanam Sutirath Wazir has done a remarkable job of bringing to light the untold stories of Sikh women, ensuring that their voices are finally heard and acknowledged. This book is a significant contribution to contemporary Indian history and a testament to the resilience of women who have endured unimaginable horrors.
Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous events of 1984, following Operation Blue Star and the anti-Sikh violence that erupted later that year, the book follows a young man's journey as he delves into the historical and personal ramifications of this violence. As he uncovers stories of unimaginable suffering and resilience, he is devastated by the extent of the trauma endured by the Sikh community, particularly its women.
Wazir's narrative is built on a foundation of extensive oral testimonies and historical research, highlighting the experiences of Sikh women who lived through the hellish events of 1984. These women include those who were trapped inside the Golden Temple during the military operation, those who supported their militant husbands, and even those who took up arms themselves. They are rape survivors, witnesses to murder, and individuals who have been largely forgotten in the annals of history.
Wazir's work is characterized by its unflinching honesty and compassionate storytelling. The themes of grief, betrayal, and loss are prevalent throughout the book, painting a vivid picture of the physical and emotional scars left by the violence. The narrative also emphasizes the ongoing struggles of these women, many of whom are still fighting for justice and recognition decades later.
The writing is both evocative and empathetic, capturing the women interviewed's raw emotions and profound strength. Wazir’s ability to weave individual stories into a cohesive and impactful narrative is commendable, making the book not just a historical account but also a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Sikh women.
The Kaurs of 1984 is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the full impact of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence. Sanam Sutirath Wazir has done a remarkable job of bringing to light the untold stories of Sikh women, ensuring that their voices are finally heard and acknowledged. This book is a significant contribution to contemporary Indian history and a testament to the resilience of women who have endured unimaginable horrors.
January 19, 2025
"The Kaurs Of 1984" has documented the struggles, pains and injustice of sikh women's during the operation of blue star 1984 and three decades after that. Till now, many home's haven't been able to stablise their life and living through the nightmares of those days. The author of the book has done a deep research and thousand of interviews in north India of sikh women's that saw hell coming on earth during those days and all those stories of rape,murder,torture and losing the men's of their family. How they were left with nothing and running around to save their life along with their kids. Many of them who were stranded inside the golden temple, wife of militants and those who became militants by themselves. Still, fighting the invisible battles of justice. All those interviews and reasearch from various FIRs and information that he can collect under right to information act is described in these chapters.
Sanam sutirath wazir, an author of this book is a committed advocate for humar rights from jammu and kashmir, is deeply involded in documenting historical injusticse and large scale violence.
P.S- At many times, reading this book has made me uncomfortable and feel the pain in my heart by creating a very vivid picture of anti-sikh violence. The pain of many sikh women's i felt while reading made me realise that those who lived that life , the pain for sure will be thousand times more than i was able to imagine.
Sanam sutirath wazir, an author of this book is a committed advocate for humar rights from jammu and kashmir, is deeply involded in documenting historical injusticse and large scale violence.
P.S- At many times, reading this book has made me uncomfortable and feel the pain in my heart by creating a very vivid picture of anti-sikh violence. The pain of many sikh women's i felt while reading made me realise that those who lived that life , the pain for sure will be thousand times more than i was able to imagine.
September 14, 2025
The Kaurs of 1984 is one of the most heartbreaking books I’ve ever read on the anti-Sikh pogroms. Sanam Sutirath Wazir gives voice to Sikh women whose lives were torn apart by the violence, women who not only lost husbands, fathers, and sons, but who also carried the lifelong weight of trauma while raising children, rebuilding families, and fighting for justice. As a Sikh, this book felt deeply personal—it echoed the stories I’ve grown up hearing in fragments, but here they are preserved in their raw, painful truth.
What struck me most was the dignity with which these Kaurs are presented. They are not just victims—they are survivors, fighters, and keepers of memory. Their courage to speak, even after decades of silence and stigma, made me pause many times while reading. The book doesn’t shy away from the brutality—mobs, betrayals, assaults—but what lingers most is the resilience of these women who somehow kept going when everything around them had collapsed.
By the end, I felt both broken and inspired. Broken, because the pain of 1984 still feels so fresh when you hear it in their voices. Inspired, because the strength of Sikh women—the Kaurs who endured all this—reminds me of the timeless spirit of Sikhi. The Kaurs of 1984 is not just a book, it’s a memorial and a call to never forget. For anyone who wants to understand the human side of 1984, this is essential reading.
What struck me most was the dignity with which these Kaurs are presented. They are not just victims—they are survivors, fighters, and keepers of memory. Their courage to speak, even after decades of silence and stigma, made me pause many times while reading. The book doesn’t shy away from the brutality—mobs, betrayals, assaults—but what lingers most is the resilience of these women who somehow kept going when everything around them had collapsed.
By the end, I felt both broken and inspired. Broken, because the pain of 1984 still feels so fresh when you hear it in their voices. Inspired, because the strength of Sikh women—the Kaurs who endured all this—reminds me of the timeless spirit of Sikhi. The Kaurs of 1984 is not just a book, it’s a memorial and a call to never forget. For anyone who wants to understand the human side of 1984, this is essential reading.
July 11, 2024
When one thinks of the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984, one thinks of the bearded and turbaned men who were systematically massacred, many of them burnt alive with rubber tyres around their necks. What is spoken about much less is what the women went through (and continue to go through). All of then lived in fear of violent death, most were forced to witness the murder of their husbands, fathers, brothers and sons. They faced apathy from the officials who were supposed to protect them many were themselves victims of sexual violence. In the years following the violence, they struggled to rebuild their lives, and even today, none of them is able to put the horror of 1984 behind them.
“Kaurs of 1984 – the untold, unheard stories of Sikh women”, documents what the victims of 1984 went through and their subsequent struggle to rebuild their lives. The book has oral histories of over 40 women who lived through the horror of 1984. Many choose to remain anonymous, others fought publicly for justice and a few even took up arms themselves to protest against the injustice. Each story needs to be told, if only to understand and acknowledge the level of violence that normal human beings are capable of inflicting on their fellow human beings.
I received a review copy of the book, and a detailed review is posted here: https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2024/07/...
“Kaurs of 1984 – the untold, unheard stories of Sikh women”, documents what the victims of 1984 went through and their subsequent struggle to rebuild their lives. The book has oral histories of over 40 women who lived through the horror of 1984. Many choose to remain anonymous, others fought publicly for justice and a few even took up arms themselves to protest against the injustice. Each story needs to be told, if only to understand and acknowledge the level of violence that normal human beings are capable of inflicting on their fellow human beings.
I received a review copy of the book, and a detailed review is posted here: https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2024/07/...
May 23, 2025
This is the most heartbreakingly painful book I’ve ever read, but it’s also a reality. this was the reality of Sikhs in Panjab and for some it still is.
The perspective from the women who endured 1984 was long overdue.
Thank you to the author for your time and commitment in bringing these stories forward.
The perspective from the women who endured 1984 was long overdue.
Thank you to the author for your time and commitment in bringing these stories forward.
September 12, 2024
well researched, decently written, doesnt pierce the pain of survivors
October 1, 2024
Resilience, Survival and Strength
June 7, 2025
Genuinely such a gut wrenching book. The details of the Sikh Genocide are so important for me to know. Def recommend this to everyone. It’s so important our martyr’s sacrifices don’t die with them.
August 29, 2025
a must read. well written and incredibly hard hitting.
May 25, 2025
This book broke me. But I’m so glad that the author had the courage to document the people in the book. It shifted something in me entirely - the way I think about justice and fairness, most of all
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