Scottish Parliamentary Motion S6M-10590 Recognises Anti-Sikh Violence, Echoing Worldwide Call for Acknowledgment

Thursday 5 October, 2023Scotland, 05/10/2023 - Kesri Lehar UK and Kesri Lehar Scotland (Kesri Lehar) extend their gratitude to Kaukab Stewart MSP and Alison Thewliss MP for submitting the Scottish Parliamentary motion that recognises the tragic events of October and November 1984 in Delhi and across India, as "Anti-Sikh Violence”, perpetrated by the Indian state. This development marks a significant milestone in the journey to acknowledge the pain and suffering endured by the Sikh community.

While the Scottish Parliament has referred to these events as "Anti-Sikh Violence," it is important to note that various parliaments and institutions worldwide have recognised them as the "Sikh Genocide”. This discrepancy in terminology does not alter the tragic fact that over 33,000 innocent Sikhs were horrifically killed, in 17 Indian states, with the Indian state encouraging violence or idly standing by.

The events of 1984 are a painful chapter in Sikh history, marked by widespread violence and suffering. The recognition by the Scottish Parliament is a step forward in acknowledging this tragedy, the long-lasting impact on the Sikh community and the need to remember the lives lost.

We know the Indian state will never bring justice to the thousands killed and the hundreds of thousands impacted. Instead the Indian state has diminished this genocide as riots and created a false narrative against anyone asking for justice or peacefully asking for self-determination as extremism. State-controlled and influenced media perpetuate this message, even when the Indian state has assassinated a Canadian National, Mr Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil; even when India continues to hold a British Citizen, Jagtar Singh Johal, for six years without trial or evidence and even when the FBI has issued warnings to Sikh activists in the US that their lives may be in danger.

We understand the need for trade agreements with India and the growth opportunities that bi-lateral investment brings us in the United Kingdom. However, it is important to commemorate the Sikh Genocide (or Anti-Sikh Violence) each year and not be led into altering the reporting of history.

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