 The riots are cited as a reason to support the creation of a Sikh homeland in India, often called Khalistan.Many Indians of different religions made significant efforts to hide and help Sikh families during the rioting.The Sikh Jathedar of Akal Takht declared the events following the death of Indira Gandhi a Sikh "genocide", replacing "anti-Sikh riots" widely used by the Indian government, the media and writers, on 15 July 2010.