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Sikhs rally in London over 1984 India temple attack | Sikhs rally in London over 1984 India temple attack |
(about 7 hours later) | |
About 25,000 Sikhs from across the UK attended a rally in Trafalgar Square to mark an attack on their holiest shrine in India, organisers have said. | About 25,000 Sikhs from across the UK attended a rally in Trafalgar Square to mark an attack on their holiest shrine in India, organisers have said. |
Earlier Sikhs marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square to commemorate the 1984 attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, north India. | Earlier Sikhs marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square to commemorate the 1984 attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, north India. |
Indian armed forces stormed the holiest Sikh shrine 27 years ago to flush out militants from the temple premises. | Indian armed forces stormed the holiest Sikh shrine 27 years ago to flush out militants from the temple premises. |
Sikh leaders called for the right to self-determination at the rally. | Sikh leaders called for the right to self-determination at the rally. |
The Sikh Federation UK, which organised the event, said people travelled to London in coaches to attend the Freedom Rally at Trafalgar Square. | The Sikh Federation UK, which organised the event, said people travelled to London in coaches to attend the Freedom Rally at Trafalgar Square. |
Delegations also came from Europe for the event. | Delegations also came from Europe for the event. |
Operation Bluestar | Operation Bluestar |
Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes spoke at the rally alongside leaders and prominent personalities from the Sikh community in the UK, Europe and India. | Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes spoke at the rally alongside leaders and prominent personalities from the Sikh community in the UK, Europe and India. |
The 1984 attack on the temple complex - Operation Bluestar - had been personally approved by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to flush out militants who wanted an independent homeland of Khalistan. | The 1984 attack on the temple complex - Operation Bluestar - had been personally approved by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to flush out militants who wanted an independent homeland of Khalistan. |
There has never been agreement on the numbers killed, but Sikhs say thousands were massacred by Indian troops, many of them innocent bystanders. | There has never been agreement on the numbers killed, but Sikhs say thousands were massacred by Indian troops, many of them innocent bystanders. |
Mrs Gandhi was assassinated four months later by her Sikh bodyguards. Following her death anti-Sikh rioting erupted in India which left about 3,000 Sikhs dead. | Mrs Gandhi was assassinated four months later by her Sikh bodyguards. Following her death anti-Sikh rioting erupted in India which left about 3,000 Sikhs dead. |
Events are also being held in Vancouver in Canada and in California to mark the 27th anniversary of the attack. | Events are also being held in Vancouver in Canada and in California to mark the 27th anniversary of the attack. |