HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 147-15RESOLUTION NO_ '1 �!- a - t 5
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAKERSFIELD COMMEMORATING THE NOVEMBER 7 984
VIOLENCE IN INDIA AS SIKH GENOCIDE
WHEREAS, the first Sikhs come to California from India's Punjab region in
1899 and the first Sikh Gurdwara (house of worship) in the United States was built
and completed in Stockton as early as 1 91 2
and is the oldest Sikh Worship 8.
Culture Center in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Sikhism is the world's fifth largest religion with more than 26
million followers, founded by Guru Nanak (1469 -1549) and bused on the
teachings of the 10 Sikh Gurus, the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Holy Scripture), cond
that all people hove the right to follow their own path to God; and
WHEREAS, more than 35,000 Sikhs live and work in the City of Bakersfield
and the surrounding areas, making vital contributions to the well -being of our
community; and
WHEREAS, organized and systematic violence was carried out against the
Sikh population throughout India in the aftermath of the assassination of Indira
Gandhi, India's prime minister, on October 31 , 1 984; and
WHEREAS, the violence against the Sikhs continued uncobcoted for several
cloys in more than 100 cities across Indio resulting in over 30,000 Sikhs killed,
thousands of women roped, hundreds of Gurdwcarcos (Sikh Temples) burnt, and
more than 300,000 Sikhs displaced; and
WHEREAS, in 201 1, o mass grove of Sikhs was unearthed in the village of
Hondh- Chillcar, state of Haryana, which was followed by the discovery of other
moss groves, ruined villages, burnt Gurdwaras and other traces of Sikh
population annihilation during November 1984; and
WHEREAS, such heinous actions against the Sikh's were o clear violation of
human rights concl constituted genocide as defined under the Taws of the United
States and the 1948 United Notions Genocide Convention; and
WHEREAS, it is important to the Bakersfield community that we
acknowledge such history in order to declare such acts atrocious. voice our
hope that those responsible are punished, and express appropriate sympathy soOAKF
that history does not repeat itself_ o` 9rT
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i0 Fi1Ci1NAL.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Bakersfield as follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein.
2. The Mayor and City Council of the City of Bakersfield:
A. Recognize that the November 1984 violence against Sikh
lives, properties, and places of worship throughout India was
carried out with intent to destroy the Sikh community and
constituted genocide.
B. Condemn any continuing human rights violations committed
against the religious minorities in India.
C. Express our support for the local Sikh community as they
remember the lives lost and those who came to the defense
of Sikhs during the November 1984 violence.
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HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted
by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on
DEC 0 9 2015 , by the following vote:
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
CDCOUNCIL MEMBER _ „ MAXWELL, WEIR, SMITH, HANSON, SULLIVAN, PARLIER
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER N&1*9-
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBER
ABSENT > COUNCIL MEMBER fLA VQ.�'O►
ROBERTA GAFFORD, C
CITY CLERK and Ex Of Iclo Clerk of
the Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED DEC 0 9 2015
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
By ZZ _
VIRIDIANA ALLARDO -KING
Associate City Attorney
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