Resolution in US Pennsylvania Assembly on 1984 anti-Sikh riots withdrawn

New York, November 15

A resolution passed in the Pennsylvania State Assembly in the US condemning the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India has been withdrawn "as if it was not passed" following efforts by lawmakers and members of the Indian-American community, sources said.

On October 17, the Assembly passed the resolution, just days ahead of the 34th anniversary of the riots that took place in the wake of the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

The resolution would have called for marking November 1 as 'Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day globally'.

The so-called "non controversial" resolution Number 1160 was introduced on October 15 by two House Representatives Alexander Charlton and Jamie Santora. It was then adopted by 190 members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Sources told PTI that about 295 resolutions were tabled in the Assembly and this particular resolution was also "sneaked" into them and got passed.

However, following the passage of the resolution, Representative Greg Rothman and members of the Indian-American community galvanised to ensure that it was withdrawn, with some feeling that such a resolution was "not acceptable".

The resolution was withdrawn and abolished on Wednesday "as if it was not passed" and not presented at all, community leader and Founder and Chairperson of Asia Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania Deep Gupta said.

He emphasised that all the communities, whether Hindus or Sikhs, have been living in unity in the area for the past several decades and expressed hope that this "unity among community" is always maintained.

The House resolution was introduced with efforts of Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and some members of Pennsylvania Gurdwaras.

Pro-Khalistan Sikh groups have made efforts to get similar resolutions passed in California and Connecticut. PTI