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Canadian Sikhs Hold Rally To Remember 1984 Genocide By India
Between June 1st and June 6th, 1984, Operation Blue Star was an (Indian army assault carried out on the Holiest Sikh Shrine, Sri Darbar Sahib also known as the Golden Temple. Over 30,000 Sikh pilgrims including women and children were killed with army bullets during this week of bloodshed.
By DESIBUZZCanada Staff
OTTAWA — Hundreds of Canadian Sikh men, women and children from across Ontario and Quebec gathered at the Parliament Hill this week to mark the 37th anniversary of Operation Blue Star - and a rally to remember 1984 genocide of Sikhs by Indian government. A candlelight vigil was also held in Vancouver to remember the 1984 massacre of Sikhs as well as the remains of 215 Indigenous children found in Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Between June 1st and June 6th, 1984, Operation Blue Star was an (Indian army assault carried out on the Holiest Sikh Shrine, Sri Darbar Sahib also known as the Golden Temple. Over 30,000 Sikh pilgrims including women and children were killed with army bullets during this week of bloodshed.
“The Sikh Diasporas will never forget those who were systematically killed by the Indian army and organized mobs,” said Sukhminder Singh Hansra, senior member of Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar Canada (SADA Canada). “The Indian government has failed miserably to provide justice. There is no point in asking India for anything further, only sovereignty can resolve the situation in Punjab.”
During the rally, the participants demanded:
- That the Government of Canada establish the first week of June as the "Victims of Genocide Remembrance Week";
- That the Government of Canada prosecute India at the International Criminal Court for war crimes for the indiscriminate killings of over thirty thousand civilians and finally;
- That the Government of Canada immediately release funds so that all residential school sites can be exhumed for the remains of missing Indigenous children.
Amarjit Singh Mann, spokesman for the Ontario Gurdwara Committee said “The slaughter of thousands of Sikh pilgrims by an army assault is nothing less than a war crime. The Indian government must be held responsible, and we call on Canada to formally censure India for the events of 1984.”
“We thank all Gurdwara committees and Organizations who supported this rally from Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton and Montreal,” said Avtar Singh Punia, a key organizer of the event. “All Canadians who have a deep appreciation for the need to protect human rights were welcome to join.”
The Sikh community is shocked and horrified to learn about the remains of 215 Indigenous children of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in BC. During the rally, a moment of silence was observed to pay homage to the victims of 1984 and the Indigenous children whose lives were tragically lost. The Sikh Community of Canada stands in solidarity with the Indigenous communities of Canada during these difficult times.
The gathering also commemorates the 6th anniversary of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Punjab. The Sikh Community in Punjab shall identify those responsible and hold them for justice.
