November 1984 "sikh Genocide Memorial" - Foundation Stone Laid

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November 1984 "Sikh Genocide Memorial" - Foundation Stone Laid

Punjab Newsline Network

Tuesday, 08 March 2011

CHANDIGARH: In the presence of the recently rediscovered site of a mass grave from the 1984 Sikh Genocide, the foundation stone of "Sikh Genocide Memorial" was laid at Gurudwara Village Hondh-Chillar Under the patronage of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, in the presence of thousands of Sikhs who gathered Monday to pay respect to the victims.

The memorial is dedicated to the memory of the victims and survivors of Village Hondh-Chillar and those Sikhs who were similarly murdered at the hands of a carefully planned, orchestrated and executed massacre of Sikhs throughout India in November 1984.

After issuing a call out for a mass gathering in remembrance, All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), along with Shiromani Akali Dal Panch Pardhani and Sant Baba Baljeet Singh Daduwal, were joined by thousands of Sikh men, women and children as they participated in a Bhog Ceremony. In what was a religious ceremony that paid observance to the memory of Sikhs killed on November 02, 1984 during the genocidal attack on Hondh-Chillar, thousands of Sikhs under the patronage of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh joined AISSF, SFJ and Eng Manvinder Singh Giaspur in the presentation and unanimous passing of resolutions declaring that:

Hondh-Chillar will now be host to a "Sikh Genocide Memorial" Site where efforts to preserve the ruins will be made. The "Sikh Insaaf Lehar" will now be launched by AISSF & SFJ with the support of SAD Panch Pardhani and Sant Baba Baljeet Singh Daduwal. The Lehar will work to locate the sites throughout India where Sikhs were killed during November 1984. Here, Sikhs will work to collect evidence, documents and preserve the Genocide locations.

A "Sikh Genocide" Trust will be established to locate, preserve and manage Genocidal sites throughout India where Sikhs have been systematically killed in November 1984, similarly to the manner in which they were executed in Hondh-Chillar. 'Sikhs For Justice" announced to fund the "Sikh Genocide" Trust with a sum of $35,000/(Thirty Five Thousand Dollars).

While addressing the gathering, Karnaial Singh Peermohammad, President AISSF stated that under Sikh Insaaf Lehar, AISSF will send delegations and investigative teams to all the states where Sikhs were attacked during November 1984 to find the sites similar to Hondh-Chillar and to trace and help the survivors. AISSF Secretary General Davinder Singh Sodhi handled the stage during the entire process.

Advocate Navkiran Singh, a human rights lawyer is to take on the assignment and responsibility as Chief Legal Counsel to follow cases of November 1984 throughout India. Gurpatwnat Singh Pannun, a US based attorney and Legal Advisor to"Sikhs For Justice" is to be assigned responsibility for International Lobbying, Advocacy and Campaigning.

Further, in accordance with Sikh tradition and respect, 26 years after the massacre of Sikhs from village Hondh-Chillar, the ashes of the genocide victims, that were never appropriately and respectfully dispersed of, will be taken by AISSF, SFJ and Eng. Manvinder Singh Giapur and supported by Sikhs to be immersed at Kirtarpur Sahib. The march carrying the ashes will take Sri Guru Gobind Singh Marg passing through Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda and will reach Kiratpur Sahib on March 09, 2011 as a part of the Sikh Insaaf Lehar.