Chandigarh (May 18, 2011): All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) submitted a memorandum to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and all members of Punjab Vidhan Sabha demanding that June 06 be declared as State Holiday in Punjab to commemorate June 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib; destruction of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and children by the Indian Army.
The memorandum has been submitted to Doctor Daljit Singh Cheema advisor to CM Badal and to several other prominent members of Punjab Vidha Sabha. The memorandum from the AISSF and SFJ demands:
(1) Declaring June 06 as state Holiday to commemorate June 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib; destruction of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and Children by the Indian Army.
(2) Recognizing massacre of Sikhs in June 1984 as “genocide” and ask the Government to issue an official notification of the same.
(3) Asking for raising a memorial in the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex in the memory those who were killed during June 1984 attack by the Indian Army.
According to Karnail Singh Peermohammad, President AISSF, June 1984 attack, destruction and desecration of Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib has become an essential and integral part of the collective memory of the Sikh Nation and the wounds caused by the killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and children in June 1984 by Indian Army are still bleeding. Declaring June 06 as state Holiday is a demand of the Sikh community which has been ignored for too long, added Peermohammad. If by May 31, 2011, June 06 is not declared a State Holdiay, AISSF will give a call for Punjab Bandh for June 06, stated Peermohammad.
Attorney Gurpatwant S. Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ stated that now that Sikh genocide issue is being discussed in the parliaments of the foreign nations, it becomes imperative that Government of Punjab which is homeland of Sikhs must step forward and declare June 06, as State holiday because that is when the organized genocide of Sikhs started in India.
Here is copy of Memorandum submitted to CM, Punjab by SFJ and AISSF:
To: Parkash Singh Badal Chief Minister, State of Punjab
Copy to: All members of Punjab Vidhan Sabha
Sub: Declare June 06 as State Holidayto commemorate June 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib; destruction of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and children by the Indian Army
Date: May 16, 2011
All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) is a registered organization committed to work for the betterment of Sikh community, promoting the values of Sikhism and to raise voice on the issues concerning the Sikh community.
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is a human rights organization, believes and adheres to Universal Declaration of Human Rights. SFJ endeavors to create an environment in which minorities – regardless of race, religion, language, gender, or ethnicity – can freely exercise their right to “self determination” as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. SFJ is also striving to collect and disseminate information, statistics, figures and data regarding the Genocide of Sikhs (1984-1998) that took place in India.
Whereas it is a historical fact that in June 1984 on the orders of Central Government of India, Indian Army attacked Sri Harmandir Sahib; destroyed; desecrated Sri Akal Takht Sahib and killed thousands of Sikh men, women and children who had gathered to commemorate martyrdom of 5th Guru Sri Arjun Dev Ji.
Whereas it is undisputed fact that to maximize the suffering of Sikhs, June 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib was deliberately planned to coincide with Shaheedi Diwas, a day on which Sri Harmandir Sahib is most visited, most crowded and most occupied by Sikh pilgrims who had gathered to commemorate martyrdom of 5th Guru Sri Arjun Dev Ji.
Whereas June 1984 attack, destruction and desecration of Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib has become an essential and integral part of the collective memory of the Sikh Nation and the wounds caused by the killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and children in June 1984 by Indian Army are still bleeding.
Whereas members of Sikh nation from around the world unanimously condemn June 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib; destruction of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and Children by the Indian Army and demand that Punjab Vidhan Sabha should pass a resolution.
(1) Declaring June 06 as state Holiday to commemorate June 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib; destruction of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and Children by the Indian Army. (2) Recognizing massacre of Sikhs in June 1984 as “genocide” and ask the Government to issue an official notification of the same. (3) Asking for raising a memorial in the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex in the memory those who were killed during June 1984 attack by the Indian Army.
From:
Karnail Singh Peermohammad President, All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)