Chandigarh (April 16, 2011): All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) demanded that criminal case should be registered against HS Hanspal and Sajjan Kumar for pressuring witnesses in November 1984 Sikh Genocide case. AISSF President Karnail Singh Peermohammad stated that Congress is responsible for organized killing of Sikhs in November 1984 and shielding the leaders leading the active congress workers who killed Sikhs with impunity.
SAD (Badal) leaders like Onkar Singh Thappar pressured witnesses in HKL Bhagat’s case to testify in Bhagat’s favour stated AISSF President Peermohammad. SAD (Badal) leaders are using the victim’s emotions to stay in power and using the blood of victims to get votes. On one hand SAD (Badal) including CM Badal and Deputy CM shakes hand with killer of Sikhs, Kamal Nath and present them with boutique of flowers and on the other hand playing with emotions of victims of November 1984 Sikh Genocide.
AISSF President Peermohammad stated that SAD (Badal) has a long history of exploiting the victims and widows of November 1984. Starting from 1994 bye-election of Ajnala constituency and repeating the same in 1997 and 2007 elections, SAD Badal used the widows and victims to exploit the emotions of Sikhs in Punjab and after winning the elections always abandoned and ignored them. In fact, recently Shaheed Gursharn Singh Rishi, a half burnt bed ridden victim of November 1984 and a prime witness against Sajjan Kumar, died while begging Badal and SGPC to fulfill their promise of grant which they had publically announced at Balongi village. Late Surinder Singh, who had been Granthi at many Gurudwaras and who was a witness against Jagdish Tytler was promised a permanent position as Granthi in Punjab by SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar due to ongoing threats to Surinder Singh’s life in Delhi. However, SGPC miserably failed to honor its promise of appointing Surinder as Grandhi in Punjab and left him at the mercy Jagidh Tytler in Delhil where he was killed on July 13, 2009.
SFJ and AISSF appealed to the victims and survivors of November 1984 to be aware of the SAD (Badal)-BJP’s practice of using the issue of November 1984 and trading blood of victims for votes. Victims and survivors are requested to join hands with SFJ and AISSF in demanding justice for November 1984 Sikh Genocide as directed by Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. Davinder Singh Sodhi, AISSF Secretary General stated that in 1997 SAD (Badal) won the elections on the promise of forming a judicial commission to investigate and prosecute the police officials who killed thousands of innocent Sikhs from 1984 to 1997. Citing the examples of notorious police officers Izhar Alam and Sumedh Saini, attorney Pannun stated that instead of fulfilling the promise of prosecuting the killers of Sikhs, SAD (Badal) after twice coming into power, awarded and shielded the killers of Sikhs.
Since SAD (Badal) has publicly acknowledged November 1984 as “Sikh Genocide”, All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) have demanded that SAD (Badal) should bring Sikh Genocide resolution in the Punjab Assembly. AISSF President Karnail Singh Peermohammad stated that SAD (Badal) should demonstrate its sincerity and commitment to the issue of raising voice for November 1984 victims by passing the “Genocide Resolution” in the Punjab Assembly Session. “Sikh Genocide” Resolution and “Rehabilitation and representation Package”. SAD (Badal) now claims to be champion of the cause of November 1984 and working for the victims of November 1984, CM Badal should bring the Sikh Genocide Resolution in Punjab Vidhan Sabha to set the history records straight. Moving the Sikh Genocide Resolution in Punjab Vidhan Sabha is completely within powers of SAD (Badal).
The “Sikh Genocide” resolution and “Rehabilitation and Representation Package” includes demands to:
1) Recognize November 1984 as Sikh Genocide in the legislative assembly and issue an official notification by the Government (published in the official gazette) directing that all Government documents should refer November 1984 anti-riots as “Sikh Genocide”. 2) Grant of Rs.15,00,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Lakhs) in each case of death, Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs) in each case of injury, and Grant of Rs. 7,50,000/- (Rupees Seven Lakhs Fifty Thousands) to each family for rehabilitation to the family members of November 1984 Sikh Genocide. 3) Allocate 20% seats in Shiromani Gurdawara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and in all other elections for the family members of November 1984 Sikh Genocide victims. 4) Create a separate Ministry in the Government of Punjab for the affairs of November 1984 Sikh Genocide.