WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by Sikhs for Justice:

AN APPEAL TO:

• Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States of America;
• Honorable Members of the United States Congress;
• Human Rights Organizations;
• Members of Media and the Journalistic Community; AND
• People of United States of America.

TO TAKE NOTICE THAT:

In November 1984 -- thousands of innocent human beings were killed, butchered, slaughtered, maimed, and burnt in Delhi and more than 100 cities in 18 Indian States. The victims were only SIKHS and they were targeted and killed solely because of their religion. The killings were instigated and lead by leaders who had taken oath under the Indian Constitution to protect the lives of citizens.

The aftermath is even worse than the genocide itself. Successive Indian Governments have failed to prosecute the guilty and continue to shield them. Kamal Nath, Amitabh Bachan, Arjun Singh, Arun Nehru, Vasant Sathe, Bhajan Lal, Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, Narsimha Rao, HKL Bhagat and Dharamdas Shastri are some of those leaders who were found by inquiry commissions to be involved in organizing and spearheading the killing of Sikhs, and all them were instead rewarded with seats in the parliament and positions in the Union Cabinets.

While the claims by Indian Governments of their commitment to democracy, human rights, justice and equality grew louder, bolder and loftier, the actions of successive Indian Governments especially during the past three decades contradicted these claims.

The following unbroken chain of killings prove that Sikhs are not the only religious minority suffering in India. Dalits and other religious minorities are facing the similar treatment:

• November 1984 -- Thousands of Sikhs were massacred in more than 100 cities in 18 states across India.
• December 1992 -- Demolition and desecration of Babri Masjid followed by killings of thousands of Muslims across India.
• 1998, 1999, 2002 -- Attacks on Churches and killings of Christians.
• 2002 -- Widespread killings of Muslims in Gujarat and other states.
• 2008 -- Attacks on Churches and killings of Christians.
• 1980 - 2002 -- Targeted and staged police encounters of thousands of Sikhs in Punjab under the direct command of K.P.S Gill, Director General of Punjab Police.
• 1990 -- Present, extra judicial killings and human rights violations by Indian Security Forces in Jammu & Kashmir.
• 10,000 cases of violence against Dalits, ranging from attacks and rape to killings, are recorded every year.

We appeal you to ask Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India and the head of the largest democracy of the world, to justify the above, their aftermath and demand answers to the following:

DOES

Continuous mistreatment, abuse and killings of Sikhs, Dalits and other religious minorities

ESTABLISH

An ongoing pattern of targeting religious minorities in supposedly democratic India?

A clear pattern of impunity to leaders and law enforcement personnel who have been involved in instigating and organizing the killings Sikhs, Dalits and other religious minorities?

A denial of justice to Sikhs, Dalits and other religious minorities?

AND HENCE

Negate India's claim of respect for human rights, justice for all and democracy?

Best Regards,

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

Attorney At Law

Legal Advisor, Sikhs for Justice

T: 718.672.8000

M: 718.938.7801

E: gpannun@pannunfirm.com

SIKHS FOR JUSTICE, a US based human advocacy group in collaboration with All India Sikh Students Federation President Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad, is striving to disseminate true and correct information, statistics, figures and data regarding the Genocide of Sikhs in November 1984 to the international community and to create considerate public opinion and is mobilizing Human Rights Groups, International Community and Governments on a common platform.

SOURCE Sikhs for Justice

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