California Senate condemns 1984 anti-Sikh riot as 'genocide'

SAN FRANCISCO: The California State Senate has passed a resolution condemning the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as "genocide" and said the then government and law enforcement officials "organised, participated in and failed to intervene to prevent the killings of innocent Sikhs".

With this, both the legislative chambers of the California Assembly have passed similar resolutions.

Less than a month after the resolution was passed by the California State House of Representatives, it was introduced in the State Senate this week by Senator Cathleen Galgiani.

"Over 3,000 Sikhs were killed throughout India. Government and law enforcement officials organised, participated in and failed to intervene to prevent the killings of innocent Sikhs," Galgiani said.

The resolution recalls those who lost their lives and those that stood in defence of Sikhs during the riots. It further states that "government and law enforcement officials organised, participated in, and failed to intervene to prevent the killings."

"The resolution, passed by both houses of the State Legislature, represents the first time that any nation or government has officially described the culpability of the Indian government in this genocide," said Amar Shergill, attorney and American Sikh Political Action Committee board member.