New Book on June 1984 Ghallughara Released at Gurmat Samagam in Tarn Taran
Tarn Taran, June 11, 2025 – A new book documenting personal testimonies from the June 1984 Ghallughara (holocaust) was released during a Gurmat Samagam held on June 7 in Varpal village, Tarn Taran district. The event was organized to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Indian Army’s 1984 assault on Sri Harmandir Sahib and to remember the broader Sikh resistance movement.
Titled "Ghallughara June 1984: Akhin Di The, the Hidden-Handaye Haal" (Eyewitness and Lived Experiences), the book is authored by Bhai Raj Singh Varpal and published by Bibek Ghar Prakashan. The work blends prose and poetry to present a deeply personal and emotional account of the events, drawn directly from the author's lived experience during the Ghallughara.
Though not a trained historian, Bhai Raj Singh offers a rare grassroots perspective that challenges dominant political narratives and highlights lesser-known dimensions of the resistance led by Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale. His unfiltered reflections aim to preserve the memory of a traumatic chapter in Sikh history that continues to resonate with the community.
The book release was attended by a number of prominent Sikh religious and academic figures, including:
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Dr. Kanwaljeet Singh, Sri Guru Angad Dev College, Khadoor Sahib
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Giani Malkit Singh, Head Granthi, Akal Takht Sahib
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Sukhdeep Singh Meekey, Panth Sewak Jatha Majha
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Bhai Satnam Singh, Dhadhi Jatha Member
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Bhai Harbhaal Singh, Granthi
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Bhai Sukhchain Singh, Varpal
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Harcharan Singh Giani, Chhajjalwadi
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Sukhwinder Singh, Chone
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Bhagwant Singh, Baba Bakala Sahib
The dignitaries present underscored the significance of preserving Sikh history through firsthand narratives, especially those emerging from community members who directly witnessed the events.
The release of "Ghallughara June 1984" is being recognized as an important addition to Sikh historical literature, offering both a memorial to the victims and a platform for lived memory and resistance.