HR 93
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 3, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
Blanca Pacheco, Chair
HR 93 (Bains) – As Introduced April 10, 2024
SUBJECT: Saka Nakodar Day.
SUMMARY: As proposed to be amended by the author, declares February 4 of each year as
Saka Nakodar Day, and condemns the hate crimes and human rights violations against Sikhs.
Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:
1) On February 4, 1986, four unarmed and peaceful Sikh students, Ravinder Singh, Baldhir
Singh Multani, Jhilman Singh, and Harminder Singh, were killed by State police in the
Nakodar subdivision of Punjab, India in an unprovoked firing while participating in protest
against the desecration of the Sikh scripture “Sri Guru Granth Sahib.”
2) The incident has come to be known as “Saka Nakodar” for the Punjabi word for massacre,
“Saka,” and the region in Punjab, “Nakodar,” where it took place.
3) The State authorities violated the freedom of peaceful assembly, which is endorsed by Article
20 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 21 of the United
Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 5 of the United
Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
4) The Justice Gurnam Singh commission of inquiry submitted its report to the State
government on October 31, 1986, but the government failed to place and discuss the report,
along with the mandatory Action Taken Report, in the State assembly within six months of
submission.
5) The State obscured the relevant parts of the judicial commission inquiry report and took
action. Not a single perpetrator has been brought to justice to date. The victims’ families
have been fighting for truth, justice, accountability, and closure for over 36 years.
6) California advocates for the democratic and human rights of all people and stands in
solidarity with the families of the victims of the Nakodar incident and the Sikh international
community in their pursuit of truth and justice as they continue to build worldwide support.
FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800