New London, CT: Last Month due to Indian Govt. Interference and intense pressure Otis library of Norwich had to make a difficult decision and remove Sikh historic artefacts and 1984 Sikh Genocide Memorial from library.
Sikh Genocide Memorial was first established in April 2019 by Otis library while Sikh community of Connecticut was commemorating 35th year of June 1984 Attack on Darbar Sahib by Indian Govt.
Memorial had Sikh Plaque to commemorate loss of life during 1984 Sikh Genocide along with Sikh Flag and Portrait of Sikh Martyr.
Sikhs held event on June 1st at library to honors Sikh martyrs which was even recognized by City of Norwich and State of Connecticut in which City of Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom and State Governor Ned Lamont declared June 1st as Sikh Memorial Day and Month of June as Sikh Memorial Month.
Swaranjit Singh Khalsa Member of Connecticut Sikh Community and Coordinator of UN council of World Sikh Parliament said “I am glad that Connecticut College provided this educational opportunity for residents and students”.
Swaranjit Singh Khalsa said “History is History and sometimes you cannot have balanced approach specially explaining history of 1984 Sikh Genocide.Too Bad India didn’t like the truth and tried to suppress Sikh voices in Connecticut”.
Along with placing the Sikh Genocide Memorial In Commons of Connecticut College they gave opportunity to members of Sikh community to come and talk on Sikh Genocide which Students were very excited about.
Discussion sessions took place for more than one hr and students asked various questions on topic of June 1984 Sikh Massacre and Nov 1984 Sikh Genocide.
Students also asked questions about Sikh homeland Khalistan (Free Punjab) and how concept of Khalistan can help stabilize economy and peace in Punjab region of South Asia.
Sheetal Chhabria, a historian of South Asia and associate professor at Connecticut College who’s own grandfather, who was Sikh, became Hindu in the 1980s because of the anti-Sikh climate in India helped arrange this event at college for students.
Himat Singh Coordinator Sikh Coordination East Coast who was instrumental in putting ban on Indian diplomats coming in Gurudwara in official capacity also joined as a survivor of Sikh Genocide.
Harman Kaur the young Sikh who is studying in political science major and Representative of World Sikh Parliament was also present to answer any questions.
Sikh Community hope to get opportunity to educate their federal leaders who they want to acknowledge Sikh Genocide of 1984 just like they did Armenian Genocide.