Visitors at Golden Temple in Punjab, India, in 1984. Photo: Fire Fire
RNZ unveiled a new documentary series titled 1984 on Monday that takes a closer look at the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
The series comprises a one-hour main featurette and six individual episodes, tracing the journey of six members of the Indian Sikh community who immigrated to New Zealand to rebuild their lives after facing enormous tragedy.
The series is made by Fire Fire, a film production company based in Whangamata, with support from NZ On Air.
The background
Tensions between the Indian government and the Sikh community existed before 1984, with the Sikhs demanding promised rights for the state of Punjab.
After a 21-month state of emergency was lifted in India in 1977, unrest in Punjab continued due to political rivalries, religious violence and ongoing demands for the rights of Sikhs and the state.
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, 14th leader of orthodox Sikh religious institution Damdami Taksal, rose to become a powerful, polarising figure in the state during this time.
On one hand, Bhindranwale became an inspiration for those who wanted greater rights for Punjab.
But others, including the Indian government, considered Bhindranwale to be a militant Sikh separatist.
A man bathes near the Golden Temple in India. Photo: Fire Fire
In June 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi devised a plan to flush out Bhindranwale and his supporters from the Golden Temple, where they had been living inside its compound for some time.
Under the codename Operation Blue Star, the Indian Army stormed the holiest site of the Sikh religion.
There was no separation between visitors at the temple and Bhindranwale's supporters. No one was permitted to leave.
Many were killed. The temple suffered extensive damage as well.
In October the same year, Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards.
The aftermath became what was known as the 1984 Sikh massacre, also called the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Government records show nearly 3000 Sikhs were killed in Delhi and beyond within days. Non-government sources put the figure closer to 4000.
Tens of thousands more were displaced and housed in temporary shelters.
After the 1984 incidents, Punjab witnessed a militant insurgency that saw a whole generation impacted for nearly a decade.
Seeking a safe and peaceful life, many Sikhs have migrated to New Zealand at various points over the last 40 years.
The documentary series details six such stories.
Each episode engages with individuals who were directly affected, offering a first-hand portrayal of their experiences and discussing the repercussions the event has had on the Sikh community in India.
After the 1984 incidents, many Sikhs have migrated to New Zealand at various points in the last 40 years. Photo: Supplied
'Deeply personal'
Megan Whelan, chief content officer of RNZ, said 1984 was the latest history series to be added to the state broadcaster's new video hub, following Farewell Guangdong that was released earlier this year.
"1984 collects deeply personal stories from Sikh migrants who came to Aotearoa following the disturbing events in India that completely changed their lives," she said.
Alex Bradshaw of production company Fire Fire said initial footage for the series was shot in Auckland in the second half of 2021, with the crew travelling to India the following year.
"The principal photography was done in India - mainly in Delhi and Ludhiana in Punjab during April 2022. Then post-production went for almost three years before we were able to release the series on 30 June," said Bradshaw, producer of the series.
"My interactions with New Zealand Sikhs started when we were making the series Giants, where we featured the community in one of the episodes. That's when I got to know about what happened in 1984 and its aftermath.
"I am grateful the community opened up to us. Some of the stories individuals shared - they hadn't even with their families after so many years.
"Like one [individual] decided to cut his hair to escape a mob. I remember [him] telling us he had started wearing his turban again and reclaiming his Sikh identity only recently."
Growing hair and wearing a turban are among various articles of faith for male members of the Sikh religion.
Karpal Singh, director of 1984 Photo: Supplied
Karpal Singh, director of the series, highlights the story of an infant girl who was left in a bus station with her young brother.
"The person who killed the elders in the family didn't have the heart to kill two children," Singh said. "He left them there at the mercy of our gurus. How she survived and made her life is a miracle."
Acknowledging the events surrounding Operation Blue Star in 1984 and its aftermath are "super-sensitive", Singh said the production team made sure to cover every perspective.
"This is the basic requirement of honest filmmaking," he said. "It was important for us to build a rapport with the victims and go deep down in the reasons for their views.
"I am proud to say we have managed to navigate well such a complex and polarising issue."
Singh, who is now based in Melbourne, said the series might be the last major project on the events of 1984 and its aftermath anywhere.
"These events are an obvious black mark in Indian history, which needed documentation," he said. "But the series is also about hope: How people - even after suffering such tragedy - can still rebuild their lives."
Bradshaw was pleased to have achieved the main goal of the project.
"[At Fire Fire] we aim to bring minority voices in New Zealand to the mainstream," he said. "I think we were able to achieve that goal with RNZ's help."
Singh was looking forward to the reaction from the community and the New Zealand public in general.
"My only hope is for people who have suffered so much pain and suffering find some closure and peace in life - if that's even possible," Singh said.
"It was a privilege and immense responsibility on us when the victims showed us their scars, metaphorically speaking. I hope these heal over time."
