US refuses to declare 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as genocide

The petition created on November 15,2012,had generated more than 30,000 signatures within weeks. Each petition that crosses the threshold of 25,000 signatures is reviewed and receive a response.

8220;During and after the 1984 violence,the United States monitored and publicly reported on the grave human rights violations that occurred and the atrocities committed against members of the Sikh community,8221; the White House response said.

It noted that the US State Department8217;s Official Country Reports on Human Rights Practices,for example,covered the violence and its aftermath in detail,with sections on political killings,disappearances,denial of fair public trials,negative effects on freedom of religion,and the government8217;s response to civil society organizations

investigating allegations of human rights violations.

8220;We continue to condemn and more importantly,to work against 8211; violence directed at people based on their religious affiliation. US government efforts to protect the rights and freedoms of all people have long been a feature of our foreign policy. Our diplomats regularly report on and speak out against violence against minorities around the world,8221; the White House said in response to the online petition.

Expressing disappointment over the response,the proponents of the petition in a statement said that the Obama Administration 8220;fails to take position on Sikh genocide8221;.

8220;The response ignores the recent discoveries of mass graves of Sikhs killed during 1984 and falls short of taking a position on the issue of Genocide,8221; said a statement issued by Gurpatwant S Pannun,who heads the New York-based 8216;Sikh for Justice8217; group.