The Making of a Monster: The Perpetrators of 1984 Sikh Genocide

Abstract

Our in-depth understanding of atrocities and their perpetrators stems from extensive research on the Holocaust. Since then, we have been able to ascertain the roles of authority figures, society, and environmental factors in determining the behaviour of atrocity perpetrators. It is found that violators of human rights are more often than not ordinary people. Thus, it becomes important to study this perceived ordinary nature of perpetrators because it might help us prevent genocides in the future. In 1984, the Sikh community of India found themselves on the receiving end of a genocidal war. Even after years, they have been unable to cope with the trauma and suffering. This paper aims to understand the psyche and attitudes of the ordinary individuals who decided to murder the people they had grown up with. The paper will provide an overview of the Sikh genocide, the events that led up to it, the tumultuous environment in which it was set up, the role of superior figures, and how it affected the perpetrators.