FEDERAL Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and NDP MPs Jinny Sims and Jasbir Sandhu issued statements this week on the tradgedy of November 1984 in India when Sikhs were brutally massacred.

TRUDEAU said: “This week, I joined with Parliamentary colleagues and friends to solemnly mark the 30th anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh massacres that took place in New Delhi and in other cities across India.

“These orchestrated massacres, committed following the assassination of Indira Gandhi, were an atrocity that resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives, and for which justice has not been served.

“Even after nine commissions of inquiry, there are far more questions than answers, and those responsible for these brutal massacres have still not been brought to justice.

“This week, I joined with Parliamentary colleagues and friends to solemnly mark the 30th anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh massacres that took place in New Delhi and in other cities across India.As I said in Parliament this week, we must continue to call on the Indian government to pursue the truth, pursue justice for those who carry the scars of 1984, and pursue accountability for all people of India.

“It is imperative that the burning questions surrounding 1984 be answered. Truth and reconciliation have strengthened Canada; they can be of great benefit to India too.

“We must remain steadfast in our commitment to openness, justice, human rights, and fairness – both at home and abroad. We can and will walk forward, together.”

SIMS and Sandhu said: “It is with great sorrow that we extend our sympathies on the 30th Anniversary of the tragic pogroms of 1984 that targeted Sikh men, women and children in Delhi and many other parts of India.

“We stand in solidarity with the Sikh community and many Canadians across the country in seeking justice. When innocent lives are lost we have an obligation to ask why and find honest answers for everyone.

“This dark part of history serves to remind all democratic nations of the importance of tolerance, acceptance and freedom.

“The victims and survivors of 1984 have waited too long for recognition of their plight and frustration – they are still in need of rehabilitation and family support, especially the widows.

The truth must be brought to light and those guilty must be brought to justice.”