AMBALA: Waiting for the truth to emerge for the past 25 years, the Sikhs of Chittisinghpora village in Kashmir’s Anantnag district continue to seek justice for the massacre of 35 innocent Sikhs who were brutally mass murdered on March 20, 2000.
Proud of their Kashmiri identity, the Sikh community has built a "martyrdom memorial" at the site of the massacre, developed entirely with community support. Featuring the photos and names of the victims in Punjabi, Urdu and English languages, the memorial stands as a tribute to their memory. They have also preserved the wall as a memorial where bullets were fired at Sikhs by leaning them against it.
Every year on March 20, the community gathers at the site to recite Gurbani (holy Sikh verses), offer Ardas (Sikh prayers) for the departed souls and raise their voices in the ongoing demand for justice.
Recently, a glimmer of recognition came when Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah mentioned the Sikhs in his address to the State Legislative Assembly on Monday. He said, “ Humne…Amarnath yatra ke camp…Doda ke gaon…Kashmiri Panditon ki bastiyon…Sardaron ki bastiyon… pe humle hote dekhe" (We saw attacks on the Amarnath pilgrimage camp, village of Doda, settlements of Kashmiri Pandits and Sikh settlements).
Speaking about the continuing violence, Omar Abdullah added, "There was a peaceful time for a while. After 21 years, such a big attack on civilians took place in Baisaran (Pahalgam). We felt that these attacks were behind us, a part of our past, not our present. But sadly, Baisaran has once again brought back those dark circumstances."
Responding to CM Abdullah’s mention, the Instagram handle “The Kashmiri Sikh Project”, which documents the stories of Kashmiri Sikhs, wrote on Monday, "Gratitude to Omar Abdullah Sahib. At least someone remembers the plight of Kashmiri Sikhs. Whether it was attacks on our settlements, the Mehjoor Nagar tragedy, the Chittisinghpora massacre , or the countless other hardships — we have endured deep suffering. Yet, when the Indian media speaks, it highlights only the pain of our Pandit brothers. Hardly anyone ever talks about the Sikhs of Kashmir, about the storms we have faced and survived."
The post further added, "Despite witnessing such dark times, we Sikhs stood firm. We did not abandon our beloved Kashmir. Today, we live as a micro-minority in Kashmir but with courage in our hearts and an unbreakable spirit. Our love for Kashmir is etched into our being, unshaken by adversity."
Meanwhile, much of the grassroots effort to seek justice for the Chittisinghpora victims has been led by Giani Rajinder Singh , a local resident, with the support of the Kashmiri Sikh Sangat (community). Singh, a government school teacher and Sikh preacher, also teaches Gurmukhi Punjabi in the region. Khalsa Youth Federation, a body of the Sikh youth of this small town has also played a key role to keep the voice for justice persistent. The youth mark their protest every year by holding the placards in their hands mentioning slogans, “Never Forget 20 March 2000”, “The Dead Cannot Cry Out For Justice, It Is The Duty of the Living”, “Justice Denied is Justice Delayed”, “We Want Justice”, “Justice Has Not Served to the Minority Community for the last 25 years”.
Speaking to TOI, Giani Rajinder Singh said, "It has been over 25 years, but the Sikhs of Chittisinghpora are still waiting for justice, and the governments have done nothing. This year, on March 20, 2025, we observed the 25th commemorative anniversary of the Sikh martyrs who were brutally gunned down by armed terrorists dressed in Army fatigues. They stormed into our village and opened fire, killing 35 Sikh men."
He added, "The Sikhs follow the principle of Gurbani — they do not frighten anyone, and nor are they afraid of anyone. That is why we are standing firm even today. Innocent Sikhs were killed in cold blood, and once again, we demand justice from the incumbent state and Centre governments, from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Ji, and from CM Omar Abdullah Ji. If they have humanity in their hearts, they must bring the truth to light. It has been 25 long years.”
“At that time too, there was a National Conference government in J&K and the BJP at the Centre — and now again, the same governments are ruling. We urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji to deliver justice to the Sikhs of Chittisinghpora."
Proud of their Kashmiri identity, the Sikh community has built a "martyrdom memorial" at the site of the massacre, developed entirely with community support. Featuring the photos and names of the victims in Punjabi, Urdu and English languages, the memorial stands as a tribute to their memory. They have also preserved the wall as a memorial where bullets were fired at Sikhs by leaning them against it.
Every year on March 20, the community gathers at the site to recite Gurbani (holy Sikh verses), offer Ardas (Sikh prayers) for the departed souls and raise their voices in the ongoing demand for justice.
Recently, a glimmer of recognition came when Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah mentioned the Sikhs in his address to the State Legislative Assembly on Monday. He said, “ Humne…Amarnath yatra ke camp…Doda ke gaon…Kashmiri Panditon ki bastiyon…Sardaron ki bastiyon… pe humle hote dekhe" (We saw attacks on the Amarnath pilgrimage camp, village of Doda, settlements of Kashmiri Pandits and Sikh settlements).
Speaking about the continuing violence, Omar Abdullah added, "There was a peaceful time for a while. After 21 years, such a big attack on civilians took place in Baisaran (Pahalgam). We felt that these attacks were behind us, a part of our past, not our present. But sadly, Baisaran has once again brought back those dark circumstances."
Responding to CM Abdullah’s mention, the Instagram handle “The Kashmiri Sikh Project”, which documents the stories of Kashmiri Sikhs, wrote on Monday, "Gratitude to Omar Abdullah Sahib. At least someone remembers the plight of Kashmiri Sikhs. Whether it was attacks on our settlements, the Mehjoor Nagar tragedy, the Chittisinghpora massacre , or the countless other hardships — we have endured deep suffering. Yet, when the Indian media speaks, it highlights only the pain of our Pandit brothers. Hardly anyone ever talks about the Sikhs of Kashmir, about the storms we have faced and survived."
The post further added, "Despite witnessing such dark times, we Sikhs stood firm. We did not abandon our beloved Kashmir. Today, we live as a micro-minority in Kashmir but with courage in our hearts and an unbreakable spirit. Our love for Kashmir is etched into our being, unshaken by adversity."
Meanwhile, much of the grassroots effort to seek justice for the Chittisinghpora victims has been led by Giani Rajinder Singh , a local resident, with the support of the Kashmiri Sikh Sangat (community). Singh, a government school teacher and Sikh preacher, also teaches Gurmukhi Punjabi in the region. Khalsa Youth Federation, a body of the Sikh youth of this small town has also played a key role to keep the voice for justice persistent. The youth mark their protest every year by holding the placards in their hands mentioning slogans, “Never Forget 20 March 2000”, “The Dead Cannot Cry Out For Justice, It Is The Duty of the Living”, “Justice Denied is Justice Delayed”, “We Want Justice”, “Justice Has Not Served to the Minority Community for the last 25 years”.
Speaking to TOI, Giani Rajinder Singh said, "It has been over 25 years, but the Sikhs of Chittisinghpora are still waiting for justice, and the governments have done nothing. This year, on March 20, 2025, we observed the 25th commemorative anniversary of the Sikh martyrs who were brutally gunned down by armed terrorists dressed in Army fatigues. They stormed into our village and opened fire, killing 35 Sikh men."
He added, "The Sikhs follow the principle of Gurbani — they do not frighten anyone, and nor are they afraid of anyone. That is why we are standing firm even today. Innocent Sikhs were killed in cold blood, and once again, we demand justice from the incumbent state and Centre governments, from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Ji, and from CM Omar Abdullah Ji. If they have humanity in their hearts, they must bring the truth to light. It has been 25 long years.”
“At that time too, there was a National Conference government in J&K and the BJP at the Centre — and now again, the same governments are ruling. We urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji to deliver justice to the Sikhs of Chittisinghpora."
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