Chandigarh/ Ontario: The historic Sikh Genocide 1984 Motion was passed by Ontario Provincial Parliament on April 6 extending official recognition to the fact of Sikh Genocide of 1984. The move has upset Indian state and its supporters in the Canada. As per media reports an official of India’s Ministry of External Affairs attempted to undermine the move saying that ‘they (Indian government) reject “misguided” motion”.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said, “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 added.
Letter of Canada India Foundation against Sikh Genocide 1984 motion:
In letter written to Kathleen Wynne (Premier of Ontario) the Canada India Foundation had “warned” that Sikh Genocide 1984 motion would have serious implications for Canada. Citing the practise of Yoga exercises, the Canada India Foundation sought to advocate that the motion was “ill-concevied and divisive”.
“This motion, if adopted, will seriously hurt Canada-India relation”, said the pro-Indian State group in its letter.
Earlier Admissions from Indian Politicians/Ministers of GoI that November 1984 massacres were in fact ‘Genocide’:
Interestingly, two Indian politicians- who are presently holding posts of ministers in the Government of India (GoI), have themselves acknowledged that 1984 violance against the Sikhs was in fact a “genocide”.
Rajnath Singh, who presently holds the Ministry of Home Affairs in the GoI had publicly pronounced the November 1984 massacres as a ‘genocide’ at a function on December 26, 2014 to distribute cheques of compensation in Tilak Vihar, where many of the victims of the massacres continue to reside.
On another occasion BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar on January 28, 2014 had admitted that “1984 was a genocide and pre-planned, it was executed by the ruling government”. Javadekar is now the union minister for Human Resources Development.
But it must be noted here that despite aforesaid confessions by GoI minister Rajnath Singh and spokesperson of India’s ruling party (BJP) Parkash Javedkar, the Indian state does not admit to the fact of Sikh Genocide 1984 and it has indulged in to ‘denial’ tactics.
Eighth Stage of Genocide – Denial:
Gregory H. Stanton, Research Professor in Genocide Studies and Prevention at the George Mason University in Fairfax County, Virginia identifies “denial” as eighth stage of genocide, which he says can continues for indefinite period of time.
In his research titled “Eight Stages of Genocide”, Stanton says that after the genocidal massacres are over, those who commit the crime of genocide indulge into denial that this ‘crime of all crimes’ did not took place.
Indian State’s reaction against Sikh Genocide 1984 motion adopted by Ontario parliament and outcry by Canada Indian Foundation against this motion should be seen as a part of this eighth stage of Sikh Genocide.
International recognition for Sikh Genocide 1984:
With Ontario becoming the first province of Canada to recognise the fact of Sikh genocide 1984, the campaign to get international recognition for the Sikh Genocide 1984 has registered considerable success.
Notably, more than a dozen City Councils in United States of America have also issued official proclamations extending official recognition to the fact of Sikh Genocide 1984.
Genocide, Eight Stages of Genocide and Sikh Genocide 1984: – Watch Video: