Surrey to observe 'Sikh Genocide Remembrance Month'

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 9

Describing the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 as genocide, Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum has decided to observe November-2020 as “1984 Sikh Genocide Remembrance Month”.

In a proclamation, the Mayor of Canadian city said, “More than 2,50,000 Sikhs live and work in Surrey and the surrounding areas, making vital contribution to the well-being of our community. The city should reaffirm its commitment to the values we cherish — justice, equality, freedom and human rights.”

He said organised and systematic violence was carried out against the Sikh population throughout India in November 1984 which was a clear violation of human rights and constituted genocide as defined under the laws of the UN.

Sikh-origin MP in Canada Randeep Singh Sarai posted, “I want to thank and congratulate the city of Surrey for proclaiming November ‘1984 Sikh Genocide Remembrance Month’. It’s important to the Surrey community that we acknowledge history.”

Sikhs in Canada have been holding commemorative events in the memory of the victims every year during November.