Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by her Sikh bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh, in response to Operation Blue Star, a military operation that occurred earlier that year to expel Sikh militants from the Golden Temple, a holy site for Sikhs in Amritsar. Her assassination sparked an intense wave of violence against the Sikh community, primarily in Delhi. Mobs formed across the city, targeting Sikhs on the basis of ethnicity and religion. The ensuing riots saw the burning of homes, businesses, and gurdwaras (Sikh temples), with reports indicating thousands of Sikhs were killed. The violence lasted for several days, drawing widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally.

The riots were characterized by deliberate attacks and organized violence against Sikhs, often with the complicity or negligence of law enforcement. Reports emerged of police inaction and even participation in the violence. Nearly 3,000 Sikhs lost their lives in Delhi alone, while many more were injured or displaced. The aftermath of the riots had long-lasting effects on the Sikh community and Indian society as a whole, creating a climate of fear and mistrust while raising serious questions about state responsibilities in protecting the rights and lives of minority communities.

The anti-Sikh riots of 1984 became a significant turning point in Indian politics, shaping the discourse around communal relations and minority rights in the country. It also led to increased political mobilization among Sikhs and has been a persistent issue in Indian civil society debates, influencing subsequent political parties and their policies towards communal conflicts.