- विज्ञापन -
For almost four decades, the wounds of the victims of the 1984 Sikh massacre have been healing, because neither their voices were heard by anyone nor justice was given to them, while the culprits of 1984 were openly living their good lives and the families of the victims were shedding tears for their loved ones who were separated from them forever in these riots. But when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government came to power in the country, a ray of hope appeared for the victims of 1984. Narendra Modi not only held the arms of the victims of 1984 but also strengthened the presence of the Sikh community in the country and the world. To provide justice to the victims of the 1984 riots, to revive the pride of Sikhs globally, and to ensure economic and religious dignity, Narendra Modi has emerged as the first Prime Minister who sincerely respects and values Sikh sentiments, and the contributions of Sikhs.
A ray of hope for 1984 victims: One of the most impressive achievements of the Modi government was the long-awaited justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots which was fulfilled when, in December 2018, senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the riots and currently serving his sentence in Delhi’s Tihar Jail. This success followed the Modi government’s 2015 decision to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which reopened dozens of long-closed cases. Under its watch, 44 arrests were made, raising hopes of justice for the victim’s families. He is also on trial for his role in the Pul Bangash Gurdwara case involving Congress leader Jagdish Tytler. This was the first time in almost 40 years that the perpetrators of the 1984 massacre in the Sikh community were punished.
However, justice is not just legal, it is also economic and social. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has extended its hand to provide justice and help to these victim families economically and socially. In Delhi, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta gave government jobs to 125 riot-affected persons, many of whom are currently working in the Revenue Department. Along with this, a compensation of Rs 5 lakh has also been given to each victim’s family – a long-standing demand of these victims and fulfilled under Modi’s rule. Apart from this, the power subsidy facility was also provided to these affected families, all this is a symbol of the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood the pain of the Sikhs and extended his hand to help.
Raised the profile of Sikhs at the international level: justice, the Modi government has worked with unprecedented sincerity to revive the Sikh spiritual and cultural identity. Among them, the inauguration of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in the year 2019 is the main one, which was the long-standing demand of the Sikh community that the corridor be opened to go to Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib (Pakistan), the land touched by the feet of Guru Nanak Dev Ji so that they can have darshan. After this Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the visa-free international corridor and fulfilled the long-awaited hope of the Sikhs, this decision was respected by the Sikhs sitting in the country and abroad.
The Hemkunt Sahib Ropeway approved in the year 2025 is another important initiative. The 12.4 km ropeway will further reduce the travel time for pilgrims, enabling them to visit the Gurdwara more easily. In another effort, the DelhiAmritsar-Katra Expressway project is also a game-changer for Punjab, promising faster connectivity, economic growth, and increased tourism. By reducing the travel time from Delhi to major cities like Amritsar and Ludhiana, the expressway will boost trade, industry, and agricultural traffic, making Punjab more accessible and economically vibrant.
It will also open up seamless travel for pilgrims visiting Sri Harmandir Sahib and Vaishno Devi, strengthening Punjab’s role as a spiritual and cultural hub. With modern infrastructure and connectivity to smaller towns, it will bring a major change in regional development across the state. T h e Mo d i gove r n m e n t’s enactment of the Anand Marriage Act is a historic step towards recognizing the distinct religious and cultural identity of the Sikh community. By enabling the registration of Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act instead of the Hindu Marriage Act, the government has upheld the unique traditions of Sikhism and fulfilled a long-standing demand of the community. This move not only provided legal clarity and dignity to Sikh matrimonial practices but also reaffirmed the constitutional commitment to religious freedom and minority rights. It was widely welcomed as a gesture of respect and inclusion, which strengthens the Sikh identity within the broader Indian legal framework. The Modi government’s historic decision to waive GST on langar in gurdwaras through the Seva Bhoj scheme in June 2018 was widely appreciated by the Sikh community. At the same time, the SGPC had to pay a GST bill of over Rs 2 crore for langar arrangements. This move further strengthened the principles of communal unity and selfless service. Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th Parkash Purb was celebrated at the Red Fort. The Modi government’s reverent celebration of the 550th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at the Red Fort was a profound and symbolic milestone for the Sikh community, which was celebrated for the first time in the country’s history at the country’s most symbolic and sovereign monument. By choosing the Red Fort – a symbol of India’s unity and secular ethos – as the venue, the government sent a powerful message of inclusion and recognition of the fundamental role of Sikhism in India’s spiritual and cultural tapestry. It was a matter of pride for the Sikh community that the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, were honored by the Government of India, and this holy day of the community was celebrated in a dignified manner at the Red Fort.
Restoring Sikh identity and spiritual dignity: The policies of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government have also proved to be very helpful for the diaspora Sikhs. The Modi government has decided to remove 312 Sikhs from a decadesold blacklist, allowing many exiled Indians to return home after being denied visas. This humanitarian act has reunited families and healed old wounds. During the Taliban crisis in Afghanistan, the Indian government brought back the three sacred copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to India in a dignified manner. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed them, which was appreciated and welcomed by the Sikh community internationally. The Modi government’s decision to register Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) in September 2020 was a historic and deeply significant milestone for Sikhs around the world. After this Sri Harmandir Sahib officially became eligible to receive foreign donations, strengthening its capacity for langar, community support, education, healthcare, and disaster relief.
Terming the move as historic, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the decision will not only strengthen the bond of service between the Sangat and the Golden Temple but will also empower the Sikh diaspora with this formal recognition of international service. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, introduced by the Modi government, is of significant importance to the Sikh community, especially those facing religious persecution in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The CAA offers a path to Indian citizenship for persecuted minorities – Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, Parsis, Jains, and Buddhists – and brings longawaited legal protection, dignity, and access to rights like education, employment, and property. Thus, many in the community see the CAA as a compassionate and corrective step toward protecting vulnerable Sikh minorities from areas where their safety and identity are at risk. Recognizing Sikh Martyrdom: The declaration of December 26 as Veer Bal Diwas was another milestone that was meant to pay a true tribute to the martyrdom of the four Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji: Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh. This annual national commemoration ensures that the martyrdom and bravery of the Sahibzadas are not only remembered but also honored and respected. Prime Minister Modi’s participation in the commemoration at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi was a symbol of his understanding of the importance of martyrdom in Sikhism. Sikhs in India and abroad have expressed their gratitude, seeing it as a long-awaited affirmation of the Sikh heritage. For the first time in India since Independence, a Prime Minister has translated compassion for the Sikh community into consistent action – not just in words but also through policy, law, diplomacy, and respect.
Justice that was once ignored has found a voice. Religious and cultural respect that was once ignored has found dignity and the global Sikh pride that was long marginalized has now found its rightful place in national policy and public sentiment. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Sikh community has felt a new sense of recognition, respect, and inclusion at the national level. For decades, many Sikh sentiments and historical contributions were underrepresented in mainstream governance, but the Modi government has actively engaged with the cultural, spiritual, and humanitarian values of the community. This inclusion is not seen as mere symbolism but as a genuine attempt to acknowledge Sikh history, promote their distinct identity, and address long-standing concerns. The community, especially its younger generations and the Sikh diaspora, have largely welcomed this approach
Authored by: Parminder Singh Brar
