LONDON, UK—Sikh community representatives commemorated the 30th anniversary of the June 1984 Sikh Genocide at an event in Portcullis House in Parliament yesterday.
The commemoration renewed calls for an independent public inquiry into the 1984 UK Government’s complicity in the attack. Fabian Hamilton, the MP from Leeds North East and the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Sikhs, chaired the meeting. Others that spoke were Kerry McCArthy, the Shadow Foreign Office Minister responsible for India, Fiona Mactaggart, the MP for Slough, John McDonnell, the MP for Hayes, and Harlington and Mike Gapes, the MP for Ilford South and a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
Given the latest letter from William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, to Douglas Alexander, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of 1984, those present pressed the Labour Foreign Affairs frontbench to come out in full support of an independent public inquiry. This will be discussed at a meeting of the Labour Foreign Affairs frontbench team later today. A final decision may take some time, but the pressure on the Labour Party is increasing and will be expected well before the General Election next year.
In pre-meetings leading up to the event David Cameron, William Hague and Sayeeda Warsi in particular came in for harsh criticism. Politicians were told:
Fearing the electoral impact of the revelations, David Cameron appealed directly on Sikh television channels and promised dialogue with the Sikh community. William Hague repeated the same promise in Parliament on 4 February. However, Sayeeda Warsi, as a senior Foreign Office Minister as well as the Minister dealing with faith communities was asked to handle this matter, but there had been:
- an absence of a proper dialogue (only one meeting on 25 February and only one official response in writing and that after eight weeks, although the review itself only took three weeks)
- inconsistent messages coming out of government about this dialogue (Ministers confirm willingness for dialogue in public pronouncements and letters to MPs, but officials are writing to say Ministers are not willing to meet to discuss 1984)
- a failure to meet families of British victims of the June 1984 massacre (no meeting has been arranged, despite promise some 10 weeks ago)
A Sikh Federation (UK) spokesman said: ‘It is clear the government have been using delaying tactics – meetings and letters – in an attempt to make the problem go away.
Two specific cases of families of British Sikhs killed at the Golden Temple in June 1984 have been released by the Sikh Federation (UK) – see Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SikhFederationUK
The video interviews are with a 35 year old British Sikh man from London who lost his mother and father and three other family members (including cousins aged 2 and 5), and a 55 year old British Sikh woman from Birmingham who lost her husband and her husbands’ cousin, his wife and 8 year old daughter. In both cases, they travelled from the UK in May 1984 and were killed at Sri Harmander Sahib (often called the Golden Temple) in the first week of June 1984.
A key issue discussed in pre-meetings will be if an independent public inquiry is not forthcoming there will be a distinct possibility of legal action on behalf of those who travelled to Punjab and risked their lives, as the UK Government 30 years ago did not warn Sikhs on the dangers they faced – despite prior knowledge of Indian Government plans.
The Sikh Federation (UK) spokesman said:
We have a growing number of Sikhs who are coming forward that were put at risk and we also have some who lost loved ones. A team of Sikh lawyers is willing to offer their services free of charge to take this matter forward.
At the start of April the Sikh Federation (UK) requested a meeting with Sayeeda Warsi and it was suggested she meet with victims and their relatives to appreciate the concerns being raised. A response was received the same day to suggest a meeting would take place in two to three weeks, but ten weeks later we are still waiting.
Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) said:
The event today in Parliament is to remind MPs and the UK Government that this issue will simply not go away and we will continue in our pursuit of truth and justice. We have no doubt this issue will come to a head prior to the General Election and Sikhs may be left with no choice how they vote if they want the truth to emerge.
Part of that search for truth involves understanding clearly the involvement of the British Government in the events of 1984 which is why we used today to renew our appeal for a full independent public enquiry. Every single UK politician we have consulted has suggested this is the most logical step before pressure for a UN-led inquiry looking at the actions of the Indian authorities.
As a community we have a duty towards the families of the victims and we are appalled officials are preventing Ministers from meeting the families and discussing our concerns or worse Ministers themselves are avoiding the dialogue they promised.
- Pressure mounts on David Cameron for independent public inquiry
- Sikh community renews call for independent public inquiry into the 1984 UK Government’s complicity in the attack at 30th anniversary commemoration event in UK Parliament
- Labour opposition pressed to come out in full support of independent public inquiry
- Ministers criticised for failing to enter into meaningful dialogue with British Sikh community representatives and meet families of British victims
- British victims of June 1984 warn of legal action
- Two specific cases highlighted of British Sikhs killed at Golden Temple in June 1984
Previously:
o Over 150 politicians from across the political spectrum, are now calling for an independent judge-led inquiry
o Scottish Government confirms backing for independent inquiry during debate on 10 June
o Tens of thousands of Sikhs protest on Sunday 8 June in central London and reiterate demand during the 30th anniversary commemoration
o Sikh community deliver open letter from other 200 Sikh organisations and Gurdwaras to 10 Downing Street
o National Union of Journalists (NUJ) deliver letter to Prime Minister calling for independent public inquiry
Gurjeet Singh National Press Secretary Sikh Federation (UK)
