AR189

An Assembly Resolution recognizing the contributions of the Sikh community and commemorating the Sikh Massacre of 1984.

Whereas, Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that was founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century; and

Whereas, Followers of Sikhism devote themselves to God, meditate, pray, believe in peace and unity, and conduct seva, which requires serving others in the community, particularly the sick and the poor; and

Whereas, Sikhs are pioneers in social justice as they have always encouraged women to participate as leaders in religious ceremonies and reject all social distinctions, like those based on race, gender, or creed that produce inequities in society, due to their belief that all people are divinely equal; and

Whereas, There are approximately 25 million followers of Sikhism around the world, making Sikhism the fifth largest religion; and

Whereas, Sikhs began to immigrate to the West Coast of the United States in the 1800s to work on railroads, farms, mines, and lumber mills; and

Whereas, Today, there are between 500,000 and 1 million Sikhs in the United States who contribute to the culture and economy by working in diverse fields like medicine, law, art, music, agriculture, and information technology; and

Whereas, The Sikh community has faced discrimination and harassment ever since arriving in the United States; and

Whereas, Instances of discrimination and harassment against Sikhs include the 1907 race riot in Washington, harassment across the United States after the Iran Hostage Crisis in the 1970s, and nationwide after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks even though none of these incidents involved followers of Sikhism; and

Whereas, In 2012, six Sikh worshippers were murdered in Wisconsin because they were practicing their religion in a gurudwara, a Sikh temple, and violence against the Sikh community increased after the 2016 presidential election; and

Whereas, In 1984, over a three-day period in India, approximately 3,000 Sikhs, including men, women, and children, were murdered and their property was looted and destroyed during coordinated attacks; and

Whereas, At the peak of the attack in 1984, it is estimated that one follower of Sikhism was murdered every minute; and

Whereas, There has been little to no justice for the Sikh community in India despite evidence indicating that the police and leaders in Gandhi’s Congress Party were complicit with and supported the attack on the Sikh community in 1984; and

Whereas, Many of the families who were attacked during or affected by the 1984 Massacre still live in poverty today; and

Whereas, Some historians, human rights organizations, and government agencies have recognized the 1984 attack on the Sikh community as a genocide and ethnic cleansing since the ultimate goal was to eliminate Sikh followers and destroy their cultural and religious institutions; and

Whereas, There are approximately 100,000 Sikhs living in New Jersey, a number that has been growing over the past few years; and

Whereas, The State of New Jersey recognizes the significant contributions the Sikh community has made to the State, both economically and culturally, by advocating for social justice and supporting communities and individuals without discrimination; and

Whereas, The State of New Jersey also recognizes and commemorates the historical injustices suffered by the Sikh community in 1984; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House recognizes the significant contributions of the Sikh community to the State of New Jersey, both economically and culturally, by advocating for social justice and supporting communities and individuals without discrimination.

2. This House commemorates the anniversary of the historical atrocity and injustice of the Sikh Massacre of 1984 and mourns the loss of life and human suffering.

3. This House recognizes the 1984 attack on the Sikh community as a genocide and ethnic cleansing since the ultimate goal was to eliminate Sikh followers and destroy their cultural and religious institutions.

4. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President and Vice-President of the United States, and every member of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

This resolution recognizes the contributions of the Sikh community and commemorates the Sikh Massacre of 1984.

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that was founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century. Followers of Sikhism devote themselves to God, meditate, pray, believe in peace and unity, and conduct seva, which requires serving others in the community, particularly the sick and the poor. They encourage women to participate as leaders in religious ceremonies and reject all social distinctions, like those based on race, gender, or creed that produce inequities in society, due to their belief that all people are divinely equal.

There are approximately 25 million followers of Sikhism around the world, making Sikhism the fifth largest religion. The Sikh community has faced discrimination and harassment ever since arriving in the United States in the 1800s, some instances of which include the 1907 race riot in Washington, harassment across the United States after the Iran Hostage Crisis in the 1970s, and nationwide after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks despite followers of Sikhism having no involvement.

In India, over a three-day period in 1984, approximately 3,000 Sikhs, including men, women, and children, were murdered and their property was looted and destroyed during coordinated attacks. At the peak of the attack, it is estimated that one follower of Sikhism was murdered every minute.

There has been little to no justice for the Sikh community in India despite evidence indicating that the police and leaders in Gandhi’s Congress Party were complicit with and supported the attack on the Sikh community in 1984. Some historians, human rights organizations, and government agencies have recognized the 1984 attack on the Sikh community as a genocide and ethnic cleansing since the ultimate goal was to eliminate Sikh followers and destroy their cultural and religious institutions.

The State of New Jersey recognizes the significant contributions of the Sikh community to the State, both economically and culturally, through advocating for social justice and supporting communities and individuals without discrimination. The State also recognizes and commemorates the historical atrocity and injustice suffered by the Sikh community in 1984.