A blood donation camp in Kolkata was organized to remember the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre, but the event received minimal national attention, reflecting India’s uncomfortable silence over one of its darkest chapters.
By Pralay Chatterjee | Veritas Times | June 9, 2025
Kolkata, West Bengal:
On a humid Sunday morning, amidst the urban buzz of central Kolkata, a quiet yet significant humanitarian effort unfolded at the iconic Gurdwara Sant Kutiya. A blood donation camp was organized not merely as a health initiative, but as a solemn tribute to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre—an event that remains one of the darkest, most brutal pogroms in post-independence Indian history.
Yet, despite its noble intent, the camp failed to generate meaningful public or political attention. It is a haunting reminder of how conveniently a nation can forget its own wounds when they no longer fit the current narrative.
1984: A Wound Still Bleeding in Silence
The anti-Sikh riots, which erupted after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, resulted in over 3,000 Sikhs being murdered, mostly in Delhi. Eyewitness accounts, backed by numerous commissions, have consistently alleged state complicity and police inaction. Forty years later, justice remains elusive.
While trials drag on, survivors still grapple with trauma and displacement. Many younger Indians—shockingly—remain unaware of the scale of the atrocities. The Kolkata blood camp, organized by Gurdwara Sant Kutiya in association with Shree Vishudhanand Hospital, was a sincere effort to combat that amnesia.
Event With Heart, But No Ears to Hear
Over 100 people participated in the drive, with some donors sharing personal stories about their connection to the 1984 tragedy. Dr. Gagandeep Singh, a second-generation survivor now residing in Kolkata, said:
"We don’t want revenge. We want remembrance. Blood cannot wash away blood, but it can save lives today."
Despite such moving voices, the event was virtually ignored by mainstream media, major political parties, and even by influencers who often claim to stand for justice and human rights.
Moral Questions in a Short-Memory Society
What does it say about us as a society when an act of charity, rooted in remembrance, fails to resonate? Why is there national outrage for some events and stone-cold silence for others?
Is India willing to own all parts of its history—or only those that align with the present ideological framework?
Hope Lies in Small Gestures
Despite the lack of recognition, the volunteers were undeterred. “Even if one life is saved through this blood, it means the memory of those victims has not died,” said Harpreet Kaur, a local teacher and first-time donor.
For a moment, the Gurdwara became a space not of mourning, but of quiet resilience. That alone makes the act revolutionary—even if the rest of the nation wasn't watching.
Conclusion: The Blood We Refuse to See
Kolkata’s blood donation camp may not have made headlines, but it told a powerful truth: remembrance is resistance. The question is, how long will India look away?