New York (November 2, 2010): After President Obama shied away from Sikh Human Rights issue by refusing to visit Golden Temple, he was reminded by hundreds of Sikhs who gathered in New York City in front of United Nations Headquarters, of his campaign promise and legal obligation to victims of Sikh Genocide (1984-1998).

Hundreds of Sikhs,US political activists including NYC Councilwomen Julissa Ferraris, Hispanic Organizations of New York, prominent Sikh activists from USA, Canada and India rallied in front of United Nations Headquarters in New York and submitted a memorandum to UN Human Rights Commission to intervene on behalf of Sikh victims of November 1984 Genocide.

The “Justice Rally” was organized by “Sikhs for Justice” (SFJ), a human rights organizations spearheading justice campaign with the support of Gurudwaras of North America. The rally was attended by many US political activists including NYC Councilwomen Julissa Ferraris, Hispanic Organizations, and prominent Sikh activists from USA, Canada and India. Councilwomen Ms. Julissa Ferraris paid tribute to innocent Sikhs who lost their lives in November 1984 and stated that United States respects human rights of all and specially religious minorities.

On Obama visit Sikhs protest in New YorkSFJ also announced that widows of November 1984 Anti Sikh Riots will also hold a rally on November 08, 2010 in New Delhi while President Obama will be addressing the Indian Parliament. Ms. Ganga Kaur coordinator of “National 1984 Victims Justice and Welfare Society” whose father was burnt alive in November 1984 will lead the rally and campaign by widows of November 1984 Sikh Genocide to approach first lady Michelle Obama urging her to visit Delhis”Widow Colony”, a grief stricken locality in the heart of Indian capital.”Widow Colony” is inhibited by thousands of Sikh females who lost their male family members during organized massacre in November 1984.

Noted human rights lawyer from India, advocate Navkiran Singh stated that “In November 1984 Sikhs were murdered in 18 states of India but the official investigations has been confined to Delhi alone.” He further stated that their organization has obtained data and evidence showing that thousands of Sikhs were killed in 100 cities of India during November 1984 and not a single prosecution has been conducted so far.Advocate Singh emphasizes that “by prosecuting the killers of Sikhs, religious minorities of India will become safer”.

Addressing the rally, human rights lawyer and SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stated that President Obama must raise the issue of Sikh Genocide in his speech to the Indian Parliament on November 8, 2010 and United States should not “trade dollars with blood”. “The purpose of the protest is to remind President Obama that Sikhs and other religious minorities of India have been victims of violence and as President of United States he has obligation to address the violation of human rights, irrespective of the economic status of the offending nation (India)” stated attorney Pannu.

Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu, Coordinator of “Sikhs For Justice” who briefed President Obama in September 2010 about the issue of Sikh Genocide stated that “victims of Sikh Genocide will keep reminding President Obama of his moral and legal duties and will “Chase Obama from New York to New Delhi” reminding him of Sikh Genocide issue.”

Jatinder Singh Grewal, Coordinator Canada, “Sikhs For Justice” stated that it’s the duty of the justice loving citizens from the free world to speak for the victims of November 1984 and pointed out that November 1984 Sikh Killings were not “riots” but rather an organized “Genocide” against the Sikhs. This is outlined in the 2005 Nanavati Commission which clearly states that a systematic method of killing commenced against the Sikh religious minority, amounting to “Genocide.”

Avtar Singh Pannu, Coordinator “Sikhs For Justice” urged President Obama not retract from his electoral promise of responding forcefully to all Genocides, and take the opportunity while addressing the Indian Parliament on November 1984 to pay tribute to the thousands of innocent Sikhs who were killed in a S tat Sponsored spree.
Jasbir Singh, who is main witness against Congress (I) leader Jagdish Tytler’s involvement in November 1984 Sikh Genocide, in his speech stated that “In 1984 leaders of Indian National Congress planned and organized the murder of Sikhs and that is why Indian National Congress has been protecting the killers of Sikhs”.

Mohender Singh, who lost five family members during November 1984 Sikh Genocide and who is a plaintiff against Kamal Nath in a lawsuit pending before US Federal Court, stated that “his family members were targeted and murdered only because they were Sikhs and Indian government is continuously shielded the killers of Sikhs and is denying justice.”

Bhupinder Singh Bhoparai, President Sikh Cultural Society, New York in his speech lamented that “despite overwhelming evidence as to the involvement of Congress (I) leaders into the killings of Sikhs during November 1984, the Government of India has failed to act against Congress leaders and instead people like Kamal Nath are made Union Ministers.”