The 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms: Phenomenological experiences and perceptions of direct and indirect victims of violence

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ABSTRACT Previous literature explores the socio-political contours of Hindu-Muslim violence, with limited attention given to the experiences of victims and the Hindu-Sikh inter-communal relationships. This study specifically examines the 1984 Anti-Sikh pogrom, employing a phenomenological approach to gather insights from Sikh participants who were direct or indirect victims of the violence and aged 20–40 at the time. The findings underscore significant experiences such as the fear of survival, betrayal, and reaction inhibition amidst hostility during the pogrom. Presently, the victims continue to grapple with a sense of loss, hopelessness concerning justice, and a lack of trust in the Hindu community.