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Canadian Law makers recognize tragedy of 1984 in House of Commons

Toronto, Nov 2 (PTI) Hundreds of Sikhs in Canada demonstrated outside the Parliament in capital city Ottawa, demanding justice for victims and families of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India. The protesting Sikhs got support yesterday from some Canadian lawmakers, who said perpetrators of such violence should be brought to justice, a statement by US-based Sikh advocacy group Sikh For Justice said. Conservative lawmaker Parm Gill spoke in the House of Commons about the "denial of justice" to the riot victims and their families. The riots broke out in India's capital New Delhi following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. Canadian Sikhs have also launched a signature campaign to press on the newly elected Parliament to stand with the victims of the riots by conducting a debate on the issue. SFJ aims to collect 100,000 signatures in support of the community's demand to bring forward a "Genocide Motion" in Parliament, SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said.

   

MP Parm Gill's Statement:

"Mr. Speaker 27 years ago today following the assassination of Indira Gandhi thousands of innocent Sikh men, women and children were mercilessly killed in the streets of Delhi and other parts of India. During this violence at great risk to themselves, Hindus, Muslims, Christians and others sheltered and rescued their Sikh neighbours from the mobs. As Prime Minister Singh stated in his apology on behalf of the nation in 2005, what took place in 1984 is the negation of the concept of nationhood enshrined in our constitution. He also said 'I bow my head in shame that such a thing took place.' Last year, during his trip to Canada Prime Minister Singh also indicated that the perpetrators of these crimes need to be brought to justice and I agree Mr. Speaker."

NDP MP Jasbir Sandhu's Statement:

"It is with great sorrow that I extend my sympathies on the 27th anniversary of the tragic events of 1984 that targeted Sikh men, women and children. "The New Democratic Party of Canada stands in solidarity with the Sikh community, demands justice for the survivors and an explanation for why and how this community was targeted by organized mobs.

Jim Karygiannis, MP (Scarborough-Agincourt)

Sheila Copps

The Honorable Jim Karygiannis, MP (Scarborough-Agincourt) and former law maker Sheila Copps, who is currently running to become the President of the Liberal Party of Canada, while addressing the justice rally, emphasized the need for accountability and the denial of justice to the victims of November 1984.   


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