Sikh Solidarity in Remembrance of Black July

Exactly one year before the Sikh Genocide in 1984, mobs in Sri Lanka used petrol oil to burn Tamils alive. During this period Tamil homes, businesses and families were attacked, busses were checked for Tamil passengers and all other vehicles were similarly searched.

What many Tamils refer to as “Black July” is suspiciously similar to incidents that took place across India one year later in what is known as the 1984 Sikh Genocide. The massacre of Tamils is so strikingly similar that one could even argue that it could have provided a blueprint for the Indian states genocide against Sikhs.

An example of the image shown here, strikes a chord in the heart of Sikhs, it is illustrative of images that depict similar scenes in Delhi, November 1984.  The picture shown, depicts a Tamil youth stripped naked as a mob dances around him moments before he is soaked in petrol oil and burnt alive.

In remembrance of the 30 Anniversary of Black July,  The Sikh Activist Network has issued a statement of solidarity with the Tamil community, found below:

STATEMENT OF SIKH-TAMIL SOLIDARITY IN REMEBRANCE OF BLACK JULY

TORONTO – It is with a profound sense of solidarity that The Sikh Activist Network marks the 30th Anniversary  of the Tamil Genocide during Black July.

Approximately one year before a similar massacre of Sikhs - Sri Lanka was host to the organized and mass killings of Tamils across the country.  The murder, looting and targeted destruction of Tamil owned property was well organized.  As mobs armed with petrol roamed the streets, Tamils were targeted and burnt alive. Members of the Tamil community were also knifed and/or clubbed to death.

The Sikh community extends it’s solidarity during this time. As a community that was also victim to a Government orchestrated and organized genocide by the Indian state in 1984, Sikhs share a similar trauma, history and struggle.

As one sovereign people to another, Sikhs stand in solidarity with Tamils in their peaceful pursuit of social justice and freedom in India, Sri Lanka and abroad.