London/Derby: On 18 September 2024 at the Derby City Council meeting Liberal Democrat Councillor Ajit Singh Atwal backed by Liberal Democrat Councillor Emily Lonsdale put down a motion focused on the events of November 1984.
Derby Council House | File Images used for representational purpose
Labour Councillor Gurkiran Kaur introduced an amended and better worded motion that was backed by Labour Councillor Hardayal Dhindsa and Labour Councillor Balbir Sandhu.
The amended motion that was unanimously approved reads:
1984 attacks on Sikhs in India
The terrible events that took place in India in June 1984 are now within their 40th anniversary.
Many Sikh men, women and children needlessly lost their lives and many others experienced grave human rights violations.
Council resolves to commemorate all those who lost their lives during these events and offers condolences to members of the Sikh community who remain affected 40 years on.
And work with communities affected to promote healing, tolerance and future peace.
Council recognises the huge contribution the Sikh and other communities have made to our City here in Derby and beyond across the UK.
Council also recognises the attack in Punjab in 1984 as well as the attacks in November across India. Council acknowledges the attack on the Darbar Sahib Complex (Golden Temple) in Punjab alongside over 40 other Gurdwaras (Sikh Temples) and its impact on the Punjabi community.
Council calls upon the Leader to write to the Deputy Prime Minister to request a timeline on when the promised inquiry into the role Britain played in the attacks will take place.
1984 | Image used for representational purpose
Whilst the amended motion is more comprehensive the original motion specifically used the word ‘genocide’, but this has been avoided in the amended version without any explanation. In many other respects the amended motion is better, especially as it avoids using the phrase anti-Sikh “riots” that is incorrect and offensive, said Sikh Federation UK in a written release issued on 19 September 2024 (copy available with SSN).
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The amended motion pushed by Labour councillors is also better as it has the specific action that Labour Council Leader, Councillor Nadine Peatfield write to the Deputy Prime Minister to ask for a timeline for the public inquiry promised several times, including in manifestos by Labour over the last decade while in Opposition, the release reads.
Dabinderjit Singh, the Lead Executive responsible for political engagement said: “Derby City Council and its councillors should be congratulated as it is the first Council in Britain to pass a motion on the events of June 1984 and November 1984 that individually and collectively amount to a genocide.”
Dabinderjit Singh | File Photo
“There are plans in the 40th anniversary year for other Councils to have similar 1984 motions. We will be pushing for the wording of the motions to be improved to ensure the 1984 Sikh Genocide is properly acknowledged.”
“It is also important in communications between Council Leaders and the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary (rather than the Deputy Leader) to push for a judge-led independent public inquiry.”
“A High Court judge (possibly retired) must be appointed to lead the inquiry as it will involve examining sensitive material and is the only way to ensure independence.”
“Our members in Derby will be making sure councillors in Derby make clear to the Labour Council Leader what is required is a judge-led public inquiry before she writes to the Deputy Leader. She should also copy her letter to the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary who will be the two Ministers involved in formally calling for the public inquiry.”
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