Chloe Adams
Candlelight vigils and marches have been used as a form of peaceful protest and collective political dissent across the world. In India, candlelight marches have been held in New Delhi, Kolkata, Amritsar, and Mumbai, to name a few places. In New Delhi, the Candle March has been held annually since 1985 to commemorate the massacre of the Sikh community in 1984 and to seek justice for the serious violations that occurred. The march starts in different parts of the city and ends at the Wall of Truth, a monument dedicated to the victims. Outside of India, candlelight vigils and marches have also been held in South Korea, Hong Kong, France, and the United States, with each event carrying its own significance and purpose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | November 1 |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Locations | New Delhi, other cities in India, and cities around the world |
| Start Point | Various |
| End Point | Wall of Truth (since 2017) |
| Participants | Sikh community |
| Purpose | To commemorate the 1984 massacre of the Sikh community |
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What You'll Learn
Candlelight protests in South Korea
Candlelight protests, also known as candlelight struggles, revolutions, or cultural festivals, have become a staple protest culture in South Korea. This method of protesting began in 1992 when online users gathered to oppose the charging of the online service of Kotel. However, some sources claim that candlelight protests began in 2002 as a result of the Yangju highway incident.
Candlelight protests are symbolic collective gatherings of political dissent in South Korea to combat injustice peacefully. Humor is a constant feature of these protests, with humorous props and banners appearing alongside candles. One popular placard at the protests read, "Toward a country of equal opportunity!"
The Candlelight Revolution, which took place between 2016 and 2017, was the culmination of twenty successive Saturday night rallies that brought out over 16 million people, almost a third of the country's population. The revolution sprang from a collective determination to act against a system in which only the wealthy and connected appear to advance. The protests were also notable for the large number of very young children in attendance.
The revolution led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye on bribery and corruption charges. On March 11, 2017, hundreds of thousands of Koreans rejoiced in downtown Seoul after the country's parliament and constitutional court confirmed the impeachment. The March 11 "Celebration of Democracy" included floats, costumes, and women dancing under bright green electrified umbrellas.
In addition to the 2016-2017 Candlelight Revolution, candlelight protests have erupted in South Korea on other occasions. In 2004, protests were held against the impeachment of Roh Moo-hyun, and in 2008, protests erupted over the import of U.S. beef. Candlelight protests have also taken place to commemorate the victims of the Ferry Sewol accident and to urge the government to find out the truth.
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Candle March for the Sikh community in India
On November 1, an annual candle march is held in New Delhi, India, to commemorate the massacre of the Sikh community in 1984. Since 2017, the march has ended at the Wall of Truth, a monument to the victims of the massacre. The march typically coincides with exhibitions and talks to educate the public about the events of 1984.
The candle march pays homage to the thousands of Sikhs who were murdered and displaced during the five-day massacre that began on October 31, 1984. The violence was triggered by the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. In the months preceding the massacre, the government had targeted the Sikh community. On June 6, 1984, Gandhi ordered an attack on the Golden Temple, a sacred site for the Sikhs, in what was known as "Operation Blue Star." As a result, the main centre of Sikh religious authority, the Akal Takht, was destroyed, along with the deaths of several members of the Sikh community.
The annual candle march is a demonstration of remembrance and a call for justice for the Sikh community. Participants carry signs with demands for justice and pictures of the victims. The march begins in different parts of New Delhi and converges at the Wall of Truth.
In addition to the candle march in New Delhi, similar demonstrations have been organised by the Sikh community in other cities worldwide. These global marches serve as a united front to honour the victims and seek accountability for the violations endured by the Sikhs.
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Coretta Scott King's candle march to the White House
Coretta Scott King, a lifelong advocate for world peace and non-violent social change, led a candlelight march to the White House on October 15, 1969, as part of the Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam. The march took place in Washington, D.C., where a crowd of people, including African Americans, joined King as she led them down Pennsylvania Avenue past the White House, holding candles to protest the war.
King, the widow of Martin Luther King Jr., was an activist in her own right and a leader of the movement for non-violent social change. She founded the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta and served as its president and CEO until she passed the reins to her son, Dexter Scott King. King was also a strong supporter of civil rights and worked hard to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She criticized the sexism of the Civil Rights Movement in 1966 and later urged an amendment to the Act to include gays and lesbians as a protected class.
In addition to her work in the civil rights arena, King was dedicated to ending the Vietnam War. In 1967, she spoke at an anti-Vietnam war march in San Francisco while her husband spoke in New York. After her husband's assassination in 1968, she continued to speak out against the war, leading a march to the White House as part of the Moratorium in 1969. At a subsequent speech, she denounced the War in Vietnam.
King's commitment to non-violent social change and world peace extended beyond her work in the civil rights and anti-war movements. In 1957, she was one of the founders of The Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy, now called Peace Action. She was also active in various women's organizations, including the National Organization for Women and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. In 1983, she led an effort that brought over half a million demonstrators to Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where her husband had delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
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Candlelight vigil in Lourdes, France
A candlelight vigil is an assembly of people carrying candles, held after sunset to pray, show support for a specific cause, or remember the dead. Candlelight vigils are often held to protest the suffering of marginalized groups and are seen as a nonviolent way to raise awareness of a cause and to motivate change.
A candlelight vigil in Lourdes, France, is mentioned in a Wikipedia article, but no further details are provided. Lourdes is a town in the Hautes-Pyrénées that has gained international attention as a major Catholic pilgrimage site. It is visited by millions of pilgrims and tourists seeking miracles and exploring its religious sites, including the Sanctuaries Notre-Dame de Lourdes, a majestic complex of churches and basilicas.
While specific details of the candlelight vigil in Lourdes are scarce, it is likely that it adhered to the nature and purpose of candlelight vigils in general. It was probably held after sunset, with attendees carrying candles, united in prayer or support for a particular cause. The vigil may have been a religious gathering or a memorial service to remember the dead.
Although the exact location within Lourdes is unclear, it was probably held at one of the town's significant religious sites or a public space that could accommodate a large gathering. Candlelight vigils often attract media attention, so local or national news outlets may have covered the event, providing further details on its purpose, participants, and impact.
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Candlelight Culture Festival in South Korea
Candlelight protests, also known as candlelight struggles, revolutions, or cultural festivals, are a staple of protest culture in South Korea. This method of protesting began in 1992 when online users gathered to oppose the charging of the online service of Kotel. However, some sources state that candlelight protests began in 2002 after the Yangju highway incident.
Candlelight protests are symbolic collective gatherings of political dissent in South Korea to combat injustice peacefully. These protests are attended with humorous props and banners along with candles. In 2004, candlelight protests were held against the impeachment of Roh Moo-hyun. In 2008, candlelight protests emerged again during the U.S. beef protests. Candlelight protests were also held from 2016 to 2018 against President Park Geun-hye, demanding her resignation. These protests continued until the following year and attracted the attention of the world as a peaceful means of protest.
In September-October 2019, the Prosecution Reform Candlelight Culture Festival was held, initiated by the National Citizens' Solidarity for Judicial Abolition. The festival moved from Seocho-dong to Yeouido after the resignation of the former Minister of Justice of the Fatherland. Citizens demanded prosecution reform and the establishment of airborne offices.
The candlelight protests are a unique feature of South Korean culture, allowing citizens to express their opinions and dissent in a peaceful and non-violent manner.
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Frequently asked questions
The candle march in New Delhi starts at different points in the city and ends at the Wall of Truth, a monument dedicated to the victims of the 1984 Sikh massacre.
Candle marches in South Korea began in 2002 after the Yangju highway incident. They have since become a staple of protest culture in the country.
Yes, candle marches have been held in major cities like Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju for various causes, such as paying tribute to the victims of the Ferry Sewol accident and protesting against the government.
Candle marches have occurred in various countries, including the United States, France, India, Hong Kong, and Pakistan. Each march advocates for a specific cause or pays tribute to a particular event.
Candle marches in India have taken place for various reasons, including a human rights group marching in Amritsar for the recovery of Sarabjit Singh, a prisoner in Pakistan, and a march in memory of the victims of a cloudburst.
