US Senator and Recognizes “Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day” along with State Of Connecticut General Assembly and Eight Connecticut Cities
HARTFORD, CT, USA—Sikhs of Connecticut commemorated Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day in State Capitol Legislative Building Of Connecticut. During the event, State Senator Cathy Osten and State Representative Kevin Ryan were present. Last year, Connecticut General Assembly passed a resolution to Commemorate November 1 every year as Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day.
Cathy Osten, CT State Senator said, “I remember when we first started talking about the Genocide which happened in 1984 and quite frankly I was appalled… I think it is something that is doomed to happen over and over if we don’t recognize it and that’s something that I think is important for people to know.”
“While it’s a good step to have one day of remembrance, ultimately I would like to see recognition for the whole month of November,” she added.
“It’s important to remember because it points out some of the travesties that happen through religious discrimination,” Osten said. “To have this genocide happen and not be recognized, that would be a travesty.”
Swaranjit Singh Khalsa, President of Sikh Sewak Society International (USA) and member of the World Sikh Parliament said, “Despite interference and false representation by the Indian Consulate to Connecticut State Governor, State Senators, and other elected officials were present during the commemoration of the 34th anniversary of the Sikh Genocide. I respect the fact that our elected officials understand the pain of the Sikh Community and stand in solidarity with the Sikh Nation.”
He added, “It is very important to correct the history and tell the world that the anti-Sikh violence by Indian State in 1984 was a genocide.” He said it was wrong to refer to these State sponsored pogroms as riots. “These massacres were sponsored by the Government of India and Indian elected officials were involved in targeting Sikhs in Delhi and throughout the rest of India.”
