The Government of Ontario province in Canada on Friday passed a motion in the Legislative Assembly to officially recognise the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as “Sikh genocide” while calling upon “all sides to embrace truth and reconciliation.”
In November of 1984, thousands of Sikhs, including women and children, were killed in planned and systematic executions, also rendering thousands of others homeless in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and other states of the country.
The motion was brought forward by Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly Harinder Kaur Malhi (Brampton-Springdale), which received support from all three provincial parties.
In advance of the successful vote, the motion read aloud stated, “That, in the opinion of this House, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, should reaffirm our commitment to the values we cherish–justice, human rights and fairness–and condemn all forms of communal violence, hatred, hostility, prejudice, racism and intolerance in India and anywhere else in the world, including the 1984 genocide perpetrated against the Sikhs throughout India, and call on all sides to embrace truth and reconciliation.”
According to Jatinder Singh Grewal, the Director of International Policy for Sikhs for Justice, an official recognition of genocide offers great comfort to Sikhs who call Ontario home. It remains, however, the first step towards broader recognition and healing.
“All Sikhs applaud Ontario today and give thanks to Premier Kathleen Wynne and Liberal MP Harinder Malhi for hearing us, appreciating the evidence that exists and officially recognizing that the murder of tens of thousands of Sikhs was an attempt at genocide. We will continue to press upon other governments here in Canada and globally to stand with us in Ontario on the side of justice.”
Admiring Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Legal Advisor to Sikhs for Justice said, “Despite the stiff opposition from Canada India Foundation who tried to bury the genocide resolution under the business opportunities with India, Kathleen Wynne stood with the victims and made sure that justice prevailed over the economics.”
Canada India Foundation, a pro-business and India group, wrote to the Ontario Premier, seeking assistance and lobbied unsuccessfully to stop the Ontario Parliament from taking up the Genocide resolution.
INDIA REJECTS ONTARIO ASSEMBLY MOTION ON SIKH RIOTS
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said on Friday India's views have been conveyed to the government and political leadership in Canada.
"We have noted the passage of a Private Members' Motion in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on April 6. We reject this misguided Motion which is based on a limited understanding of India, its constitution, society, ethos, rule of law and the judicial process."
"Our views have been conveyed to the government and political leadership in Canada," he said.
He was replying to a question regarding passage of a private members' motion in the legislative assembly of Ontario.
The motion by Harinder Malhi, a Liberal member of provincial parliament, read: "That, in the opinion of this House... should reaffirm our commitment to the values we cherish - justice, human rights and fairness - and condemn all forms of communal violence, hatred, hostility, prejudice, racism and intolerance in India and anywhere else in the world, including the 1984 Genocide perpetrated against the Sikhs throughout India, and call on all sides to embrace truth, justice and reconciliation".
