In his much acknowledged research regarding ‘stages of genocide’ US based scholar Gregory H. Stanton has identified ‘denial’ as last and unending stage of genocide. He says that every genocide is followed by denial. He further points out that denial tactics may be numerous.
Continuing Recognition of 1984 Sikh Genocide Despite Indian Denial:
The Indian state has been attempting to deny the fact of Sikh genocide of 1984 for past 35 years. Despite all the denial tactics adopted by the Indian state the fact of Sikh genocide of 1984 is being increasingly acknowledged by the various authorities, including domestic and foreign legislatures.
1984 Sikh Genocide Motion Passed in Delhi’s State Assembly:
On June 30, 2015 the legislature of Delhi has passed a motion recognizing the fact of Sikh Genocide of 1984. The motion was moved by the then Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) S. Jarnail Singh and was unanimously passed by the house. The copy of motion is available on the website of Delhi State Assembly. (READ MORE – Official Copy of Official Motion Unanimously Passed on June 30, 2015)
Foreign Authorities Have Also Recognized Sikh Genocide 1984:
The Provincial Parliament of Ontario in Canada; and Connecticut and Pennsylvania states of United States of America along with various city councils have issued official passed motions/resolutions or issued proclamations recognizing the fact of Sikh genocide of 1984.
Delhi High Court’s Judgement Admitting of Sikh Genocide 1984:
On November 28, 2018 the Delhi High Court passed a judgement in which the HC admitted to the fact of Sikh Genocide of 1984 and pointed out that the Indian law has a major discrepancy that it does not recognizes ‘genocide’ and ‘crimes against humanity’ as ‘crime/s’ under the law. (Read More at – “… Genocide… Has been Duly Proved and Established”: says Delhi High Court Judgement on 1984 Sikh Genocide Related Case)
India’s Tactics to Prevent Recognition of Sikh Genocide 1984:
The Indian state is making every effort to prevent recognition of the fact of 1984 Sikh genocide as a part of its’ denial tactics. The Indian state and Indian media triggered malicious campaign against Canadian politicians Harinder Malhi and Jagmeet Singh after they moved, and got passed, a motion on 1984 Sikh genocide in Ontario’s provincial parliament in April 2017.
On several occasions, the Indian high commissions have attempted to block attempts of recognition triggered by the Sikh activists.
On November 16, 2018 the Indian media carried fake reports maintaining that the US state of Pennsylvania withdrew the resolution recognizing the fact of 1984 Sikh genocide.
The General Assembly of State of Connecticut in USA along with a US Senator and eight cities of Connecticut recognized November 1, 2018 as the Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day. Indian state unsuccessfully attempted to stall the move. US Senator Cathy Osten exposed India’s denial tactics in her brief speech during an event held on Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day. (Read More at – US Senator, General Assembly of State of Connecticut and 8 Cities in Connecticut Recognise Nov. 1 as Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day)
First Ever 1984 Sikh Genocide Memorial in USA:
In June 2019 first ever 1984 Sikh genocide memorial was inaugurated at Otis Library in Norwich city of Connecticut state of USA. The memorial comprised of a portrait of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a plaque and the Sikh flag.
The text on plaque duly mentioned the Third Ghallughara – June 1984 and the Sikh Genocide of November 1984 and recognized the fact of Sikh genocide of 1984.
Memorial Removed Under Indian Government’s Pressure:
In September 2019 the Otis Library removed the memorial and returned the portrait, plaque and flag to S. Swaranjit Singh Khalsa who had made efforts for the installation of the memorial. Swaranjit Singh said that both city and library knew the details of the display and should not have been intimidated by threats from the Indian government.
A plaque with the same text was part of display last November in commemoration of the Sikh Awareness Month, he said.
Part of Indian State’s Denial Tactics:
Getting the 1984 Sikh Genocide memorial removed from the Otis Library was part of Indian state’s denial tactics.
Constant Struggle:
As Milan Kundera’s famous quote reads that ‘the struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting’; it’s a constant struggle for between those who orchestrated a genocide and those who suffered it.
Those who orchestrated genocide would make every effort to prevent its recognition and to deny it. Those who suffered such a heinous crime should not leave any stone unturned to get the fact of genocide recognized and expose the denial tactics of the perpetrator state.
⊕ ALSO READ – APPEAL TO ALL SIKH ORGANIZATIONS IN REGARDS TO REMOVAL OF “1984 SIKH GENOCIDE MEMORIAL” BY INDIAN GOOVERNMENT IN AMERICA