Not to remember the past and failure to learn from history would be a great tragedy. Our Gurus and innumerable Sikhs since then are keeping alive the honor the form and the spirit of the Khalsa. Therefore June 4 to June 7 will stay in the memory of Sikhs for generations to come. Sikhs around the World remember June 4 as a sad anniversary of man’s inhumanity to man. Collectively we mourn this great tragedy
On June 4.1984 when the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) of Amritsar was filled to overflowing with worshippers [as this is a holy day in Sikh Religion the Indian Government attacked this holy shrine and indiscriminately killed men women and children.
The military was deployed throughout Punjab and simultaneously 40 other Gurdwaras (Places of Worship) were attacked. Thousands died.
Two days after the carnage once again the military was used to destroy the Sikh Archives. Valuable hand written historical documents and religious relics were all burned and destroyed. The military code word for this atrocity was “Operation Bluestar.”
To this day India continuing its offensive against the Sikh Nation. Amnesty International and other non-governmental agencies are being kept out. But the scale of the human rights abuses is too great to be kept secret in this electronic age. Asia Watch and Amnesty International have both written many scathing reports as has the Punjab Human Rights Organization (PHRO) and many other human rights activists.
Three Canadian Members of Parliament went to Punjab in January to see first-hand how bad the situation has gotten the recommendation they made (copy included) summarizes the situation very well. Is it not time that action was taken on these recommendations?
Sikhs around the world will be holding commemorative prayer services in their Gurdwaras. In addition World Sikh Organizations USA Branch is organizing a peaceful demonstration on June 4 in San Francisco and again in front of the United Nations in New York on June 5. Our Canadian Branch is holding an annual service and memorial banquet at the Canadian Parliament on June 4 and will be doing so again this year
World Sikh Organization Canada
Article extracted from this publication >> June 12, 1992
