Baku Initiative Group releases documentary on Sikh struggle, historical Events of 1984

The international non-governmental organization Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has released a documentary film focusing on the history, struggles, and aspirations of the Sikh community, highlighting the role of Sikh Freedom International and key events that continue to shape Sikh identity worldwide

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2026) The international non-governmental organization Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has released a documentary film focusing on the history, struggles, and aspirations of the Sikh community, highlighting the role of Sikh Freedom International and key events that continue to shape Sikh identity worldwide.

The documentary presents the June 1984 military action carried out by Indian troops at Shri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) and other gurdwaras across Punjab as a defining chapter in Sikh history, said a press release.

It also examined the anti-Sikh riots that erupted later the same year and their lasting impact on the global Sikh community.

According to the documentary, in June 1984 the Indian Army conducted military operations at more than 75 gurdwaras across Punjab, including Shri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar. The Indian government referred to the action as "Operation Blue Star," while many Sikhs remember the events as the "Battle of Amritsar" or "Teja Gholakhara."

The film describes Shri Darbar Sahib as the spiritual and social center of Sikh collective life, emphasizing its significance as a place of worship, community leadership, and social welfare.

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It highlighted the Sikh principle of "Sarbat da Bhalla"—the welfare of all—which is closely associated with the institution and its role in Sikh society.

The documentary further recounts the events that followed in November 1984, when anti-Sikh riots broke out in several parts of India. During the violence, thousands of Sikhs were targeted, while homes, businesses, and places of worship belonging to members of the Sikh community were attacked.

According to the film, these events intensified called for autonomy, justice, and freedom among Sikh communities around the world and contributed to the growth of Sikh advocacy movements on the international stage.

The Baku Initiative Group states that it continued to serve as an effective international platform for raising awareness of issues affecting the Sikh community and amplifying Sikh voices globally through dialogue, advocacy, and documentary initiatives.

The documentary aimed to shed light on historical events, preserve collective memory, and encourage discussion on justice, human rights, and the future aspirations of Sikh communities worldwide.