The Fact News Service
Washington, D.C., February 9
In a moment of historic significance, the U.S. Congress has officially recognized February 4th as Saka Nakodar Day, marking a major milestone in the decades-long fight for justice for the victims of the 1986 Nakodar Massacre. In a powerful statement on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (California’s 19th District) honored the memory of the four innocent Sikh students—Ravinder Singh, Baldhir Singh, Jhilman Singh, and Harminder Singh—who were brutally shot and killed while peacefully protesting the desecration of the Sikh holy scripture in Punjab.
Beyond the massacre itself, Congressman Panetta condemned the appalling lack of accountability—victims’ bodies were secretly disposed of, and no perpetrators were ever held responsible.
Reports, commissions, and inquiries into the massacre have been ignored for 39 years, leaving the families of the victims and the global Sikh community without answers or justice.
“February 4th remains a dark day not just for Sikhs in Punjab, but also for Sikhs here in America,” said Rep. Panetta. “For 39 years, they have fought for truth, justice, and accountability. As United States Representatives, it is our responsibility to stand for these values at home and abroad.”
The inclusion of Saka Nakodar Day in the U.S. Congressional Record marks a historic acknowledgment of this long-standing injustice. It strengthens the Sikh community’s call for transparency, accountability, and justice and serves as a powerful reminder that human rights violations cannot be forgotten. The fight for justice knows no borders.
The global Sikh community welcomes this acknowledgment and urges the Indian government to take immediate action to deliver justice to the families of the victims and bring the perpetrators to account.
Justice Delayed is Justice Denied – But the Pursuit Continues. 🔗 Congressman Jimmy Panetta’s Statement
Congressional Statement by Rep. Jimmy Panetta
Speaker, I rise to recognize February 4th as Saka Nakodar Day. On that day in 1986, in the Punjab region of India, four unarmed Sikh students were shot and killed while peacefully protesting the desecration of the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. The killing was abhorrent, but the investigation was deplorable. The victims’ bodies were disposed of in secret. No perpetrator was ever brought to justice, and reports, commissions, and other inquiries into the massacre received absolutely no action.
February 4th remains a dark day for Sikhs in Punjab, but also for Sikhs here in America. For 39 years, they have fought for truth, justice, and accountability. As United States Representatives, it is our responsibility to fight for these values at home and abroad and to call out these tragedies to our partners around the globe. That is why I recognize Saka Nakodar Day and emphasize that justice is still waiting to be served for Ravinder Singh, Baldhir Singh, Jhilman Singh, and Harminder Singh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back.
– Rep. Jimmy Panetta, California’s 19th Congressional District, U.S. House of Representatives
