1984: A Sikh Story on BBC

Vikram singh · #1 (**permalink**) 09-Jan-2010, 09:34 AM

BBC to tell story of 1984 bloodshed
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-news/28861-1984-a-sikh-story-on-bbc.html
Sonia Deol travels to India for 1984: A Sikh Story

IN 1984 Indira Gandhi sent troops into the holiest and most revered of Sikh shrines, The Golden Temple.

The aim was to expel the Sikh militant preacher, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers. What followed were the bloodiest of consequences, ultimately leading to Indira Gandhi’s own assassination by her Sikh bodyguards and a backlash against the Sikhs that India had not witnessed since the days of partition.

1984: A Sikh Story tells the story of this tumultuous year through the eyes of British born Sikh, Sonia Deol, who was only eleven when the Indian army stormed The Golden Temple.

It is only in recent years that Sonia has begun to understand her faith - an awakening that began during her own visit to The Golden Temple; and there are many questions she needs answered. How could Indian troops, led by a Sikh, storm such a sacred shrine? How did the ‘cult’ of Bhindranwale attract so many Sikh followers and why is he still revered by some today?

YouTube- 1984 - A Sikh Story

The one - off documentary takes Sonia on an emotional journey back to India in a bid to discover how such an attack could ever have taken place.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=28861
Throughout her journey, Sonia will meet and interview eye-witnesses, including Giani Puran Singh a Golden Temple priest who dodged bullets from both the Indian army and Bhindranwale’s men; as well as the Army General Brar who was in charge of Operation Blue Star and whose army stormed the temple.

Sonia will also meet up with those caught up in the aftermath of Mrs Gandhi’s assassination and the resulting terrifying riots in Delhi.
Plus she will interview the women who were widowed during the riots and BBC correspondent Mark Tully, who became known for giving the world an insight into these events as they were happening, on the ground.
Starting in the UK and following Sonia on her journey to India, 1984: A Sikh Story will tell the story of her personal voyage to understand the history of her faith and explore what it means to be Sikh in Britain today.
Executive Producer Tommy Nagra says: “The events of 1984 have become an iconic and integral part of modern Sikh history. This is very much a personal film unravelling a chain of ****** events that India had not witnessed since the days of Partition.”

1984: A Sikh Story, Sunday 10 January at 22.55 on BBC One

Aman Singh · #2 (**permalink**) 09-Jan-2010, 11:10 AM

Vikram ji, please make sure you get this captured on youtube. Thanks for the update.

Vikram singh · #3 (**permalink**) 09-Jan-2010, 11:40 AM

Certainly, Aman Ji

Sikh Collector · #4 (**permalink**) 11-Jan-2010, 11:36 AM

Dear members,

should you wish to view this documentary then you can do so through BBC iPlayer
for the ease of members I have placed the link below:-
BBC iPlayer - 1984: A Sikh Story
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=28861

Regards
Sikh Collector

Randip Singh · #5 (**permalink**) 11-Jan-2010, 19:08 PM

I saw this documentary and was deeply touched. The events of 1984 strike a chord with all Sikhs throughout the world, and from being a Pro Bhindranwala supporter I came to the conclusion long ago the Bhindranwala was as guilty as Indira Ghandhi, as to what happened. A blot on Sikh history.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=28861
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=28861
I liked all of the documentary till the point of the presenter started blabbing at the end about her own confusion about the Sikh faith. I would say she was very confused. Forget the cut hair but maybe she should try not to follow Sants (she goes to the GNNSJ), understand how the DDT is different from mainstream Sikhism, and also maybe reflect on her own alleged relationship with a Muslim man.

Aman Singh · #6 (**permalink**) 11-Jan-2010, 20:53 PM

Just checked the link above, its only for UK Sangat... would be great if somebody could post an alternative link for viewing for Sikh Sangat worldwide... Thank you.

Randip Singh · #7 (**permalink**) 12-Jan-2010, 00:06 AM

You can download the torrent here:

Demonoid.com - 1984 - A Sikh History (2010) - Sonia Deol

or here:

1984 - A Sikh Story (10 January 2010)[PDTV(XviD)] Torrent - btjunkie

Randip Singh · #8 (**permalink**) 12-Jan-2010, 23:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gurmit Kaur

Gurfateh

I agree with Randip Singh parjii, to the extent that the film should have contained a stronger beginning and ending. Beginning with a brief history of Sikhs and Punjabi and outlining the existing economic and social tensions of unrest in Punjabi which climaxed to the events that lead to 1984. Ending which probably would have raised more questions than answers. The story has NOT closed for many Sikhs, despite an apology from the prime minister.

However, in fairness to Sonia Doel, the story was not a documentary, but personal account and experience o

f 1984 and how it has effected her and her spiritual path. Unfortunately, very little, but that is her path and we should totally respect that. Sonia got into the mainstream the open wounds felt by Sikhs of 1984, that is an achievement.

Let us hope now that the experience will allow Sonia to produce more documentaries, so that she can move up the ladder in her career as a journalist. Then, maybe having long hair would not be so much an hindrance

Agree with you.

In my profession there are very few non-white faces let alone Sikhs (Mona or Keshdhari), so when I meet one I try and set an example. My own conduct is one of a monogamous marriage to a Sikh, I don't drink or smoke, I try and read on Sikhi and Bani, etc. In other words I try and set an example to young Sikhs because I think it is my responsibility. I hope I offer my peers a good example.

Sonia's journey is a personal reflection, but to para-phrase Spiderman "with great 'success' comes great responsibility", and she should realise she is in a privileged position. If she is giving the message of following Sants, not knowing her own history and having alleged relationships with Muslim men, then what kind of example is she setting. She can cry all the tears she wants on TV , make all the documentaries, or even consider wearing a turban, but will not make one iota of difference until she reflects on her own behaviour and changes it.

To be honest I am not really concerned about her hair or whether she has taken Amrit or not (Hardip Singh Kohli wears a Pugh for example), but if her behaviour is based around the 5 thieves, then she really shouldn't bleat like a sheep on TV.

Aman Singh · #9 (**permalink**) 13-Jan-2010, 02:30 AM

Here is the link to the full length video:

Videos - 1984 : A Sikh Story

Thanks Mai Ji!

For those outside the UK, download the program below.

http://rapidshare.co...y.mp4.part1.rar
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=28861
http://rapidshare.co...y.mp4.part2.rar