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.
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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."
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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.
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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. |