wfn.org | Recognition of Contributions of Harvinder Singh Phoolka

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[http://www.worldsikhcouncil.org/] World Sikh Council - America Region
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Recognition of Contributions of Harvinder Singh Phoolka

Contact: Manmohan Singh, Secretary General, WSC-AR,
[mailto:contact@worldsikhcouncil.org] contact@worldsikhcouncil.org, Phone :
972-985-9591 (USA)

>February 15, 2010

WSC-AR Recognizes the Significant Contributions of Harvinder Singh Phoolk a
to Khalsa Panth

1984 is a watershed for Sikhs. The trauma of Operation Bluestar and the
Government sponsored pogrom that followed, has left a permanent impressio n
on the Sikh psyche. 1984 has altered and redefined the dynamics of Sikh
relationship not only with the political entity that is India, but also
Indian society at large. A quarter of a century later, 1984 remains
unpunished and all the issues around it unresolved.

The crimes committed against the Sikhs were horrendous enough, but they
became infinitely worse when seen in the light of government collusion, i f
not very active participation. Since 1984, justice has remained both
illusive and elusive. Justice delayed is justice denied. A string of
Government appointed Inquiry Commissions have only served to rub salt int o
the wounds of the Sikhs. The guilty remain free.

Sikhs have not given up their demand for justice. Today, we can sense an
iota of change, a small shift in prevailing attitudes in India that gives
us renewed hope. We owe this glimmer of optimism in large part to the
steadfast and unwavering dedication of Sikhs like Advocate Harvinder Sing h
Phoolka.

As a young lawyer starting out in Delhi 1984, S. Harvinder Singh found
himself squarely in the middle of the ?genocide?: on that fateful day
in November, he had to whisk his pregnant wife on a motorcycle, skirting
the main roads to get home. Although he initially chose to retreat to the
safety of Chandigarh, the plight of Sikhs, especially those widowed and
orphaned or left homeless, moved him to action.

Advocate Phoolka launched the Citizens for Justice Committee in 1984 and
has, for 25 years, single handedly led the legal battle for the victims o f
1984 - Sikh Genocide. In the true spirit of the Sikh practice of tithing,
this work has been done gratis ? with no charge to the victims he
represents.

While 25 years may have put his career on hold and aged him, the years
have not slowed his relentless intensity in the pursuit of all and every
avenue of justice. As the co-author of the much acclaimed When a Tree Sho ok
Delhi, he continues to be a major force in documenting human rights abuse s.
If India is to live to its label as the largest democratic nation in the
world, it owes a debt to heroic activists like Harvinder Singh Phoolka fo r
institutionalizing the voice for freedom, justice and equal rights.

For a public activist to be threatened again and again with his life, by
some of the very powerful defendants and to remain steadfast in the pursu it
of justice is remarkable in itself. He is a Sikh in the true sense who ha s
carried out ?selfless seva'. We salute and celebrate Harvinder Singh
Phoolka.
This message was sent by: World Sikh Council - America Region, POB 3635,  Columbus, OH 43210

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