A parliamentary reception held at the Senate of Canada Building brought together Sikh community leaders, Members of Parliament, and Senators from across the country to mark Sikh Heritage Month and renew calls for formal recognition of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence as genocide. The event took place on April 28, 2026, corresponding to 15 Vaisakh, Nanakshahi 558, and was organized by the Ad Hoc Committee for the Recognition of the 1984 Sikh Genocide as part of ongoing advocacy efforts by Sikh institutions across Canada. 🇨🇦
The reception was hosted by Baltej Singh Dhillon and co-sponsored by Members of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal, Dalwinder Gill, Heather McPherson, and Elizabeth May. Organizers described the multi-party participation as a sign of growing parliamentary awareness around the issue. Community representatives from across Canada attended the event, reflecting nationwide engagement on the question of recognition and accountability related to the events of 1984.
Speakers at the reception emphasized what they described as the coordinated and systemic nature of the violence that affected Sikh communities across India in 1984. Participants highlighted concerns that the absence of formal recognition has contributed to ongoing calls for justice remaining unresolved decades later. The gathering also served as a platform to discuss how recognition efforts continue to evolve within Canada’s public and political landscape.
Keynote remarks were delivered by Rapinder Kaur of the Sikh Heritage Month Foundation and Professor Indira Prahst of Langara College. Both speakers underscored the importance of acknowledging historical events through official recognition processes while continuing to promote education and dialogue within Canadian society.
A number of parliamentarians from multiple political parties were also present at the reception, including MPs Tim Uppal, Gurbux Saini, Amanpreet Gill, Jasraj Hallan, Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Garnett Genuis, Ruby Sahota, Amarjeet Gill, Brad Redekopp, and Taleeb Noormohamed. Senators in attendance included Hassan Yussuff, John McNair, Paulette Senior, Bev Busson, Yonah Martin, Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia, Paula Simons, Pierrette Ringuette, Kristopher Wells, Donna Dasko, Yuen Pau Woo, Rodger Cuzner, and Mary Robinson, reflecting broad representation across both chambers.
Speaking at the event, Manohar Singh Bal, coordinator of the Ad Hoc Committee, stated that the absence of formal recognition continues to shape discussions around accountability and justice. He argued that recognition remains an important step in addressing long-standing concerns raised by Sikh organizations and community advocates. The committee itself includes representatives from several national Sikh institutions, including the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee, World Sikh Organization, Sikh Federation, and the British Columbia Gurdwara Council, among others working collectively across Canada on recognition initiatives.
