Balwant Singh explained his actions. He described the deep wounds on the Sikh psyche caused by the attack on the Golden Temple by the security forces during Operation Blue Star. He spoke of the State-sponsored pogrom of tens of thousands of Sikhs following Indira Gandhi's assassination, where Sikhs were burnt, mutilated and left for carrion, funeral rites denied, when women were dishonoured, the youth emasculated and homes burnt. He asked the Chief Justice who were the terrorists: those who did these acts or those who defended the victims?

Human beings can fight such injustice and oppression only by sacrificing themselves. Balwant Singh said the government of India had killed its own people..