California State Assembly Passes Resolution Urging US Congress To Formally Recognise, Condemn 1984 Anti-Sikh Violence

The California state assembly has passed a resolution urging US Congress to formally recognise and condemn the 1984 anti-Sikh violence in India as 'genocide'.

Jasmeet Kaur Bains, the first-ever elected Sikh member of the California state assembly, introduced a resolution on 22 March that was unanimously approved by the assembly on Monday (10 April).

Assembly member Carlos Villapudua co-sponsored the resolution that received the support of Ash Kalra, the only Hindu member in the assembly.

After the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards, violence erupted in Delhi and other parts of the country.

In the violence that ensued, over 3,000 Sikhs were killed across India.

According to the resolution, the 'Widow Colony' in New Delhi still houses Sikh women who were assaulted, raped, tortured, and made to witness the dismemberment, burning and murder of their families. These women are still demanding justice against the perpetrators, as per the resolution.