Harjinder Singh Nagi

Mr. Nagi’s account provides insight to the post-1984 forced creation of the Sikh diaspora worldwide.

A businessman dealing in motor parts in 1984, Nagi anticipated a few isolated incidents of rage following Indira Gandhi’s death, but he could never have pre-empted the bloody campaign induced against the Sikhs, which also claimed the life of one of his close friends.

While violence raged just outside their vicinity in Trilokpuri, Harjinder Singh was stuck inside his house for almost a week, asking neighbors to provide for the basics for the family, and helping to patrol the neighborhood at night to watch out for any untoward incident.

Uncertain and helpless about the political situation after the 1984, Harjinder Singh and his friend relocated to Patiala and established a soda-water factory. There too, he had difficulty getting established. Then, sponsored by his brother who was in Switzerland and worked for the World Health Organization at the time, Mr. Nagi began his emigration from India.