NDP Campaigns for Official Recognition of 1984 Sikh Genocide in Canadian Parliament

The New Democratic Party (NDP) in Canada, which has a formal understanding with the ruling Liberal Party, is pushing for “official recognition” of the ‘1984 Sikh genocide’ in the country’s parliament. This campaign, led by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, aims to acknowledge the tragic events that occurred 40 years ago.

During a speech at the Vaisakhi parade in Surrey, British Columbia, Singh emphasized the importance of recognizing the Sikh genocide at the federal level. He described it as a “direct attack on the cruel government that carried out this genocide” and called for it to be officially recognized by the Government of Canada.

The so-called Sikh genocide refers to the riots that erupted in Delhi and other parts of India following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in October 1984. A similar motion was passed by the Ontario legislature in 2017, leading to strained relations between Canada and India.

While ties between New Delhi and Ottawa are already complex, the potential passage of this motion could further complicate them. The issue has also been complicated by the ongoing investigation into potential links between Indian agents and the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a key figure in the Khalistan Referendum movement.

Overall, the NDP’s campaign for official recognition of the 1984 Sikh genocide in Canada’s parliament highlights the ongoing significance of this tragic event and the importance of acknowledging and remembering it.