RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAKA NAKODAR DAY

RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAKA NAKODAR DAY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E260] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAKA NAKODAR DAY ______ HON. JOSH HARDER of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Mr. HARDER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to solemnly commemorate the 40th anniversary of Saka Nakodar and to stand in remembrance with the Sikh community at the Stockton Gurdwara Sahib. On February 4, 1986, four young Sikh students--Ravinder Singh, Baldhir Singh, Jhilman Singh, and Harminder Singh--were shot and killed by Indian security forces in Nakodar, Punjab. They were peacefully protesting the desecration of the sacred Sikh scripture, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, when their lives were tragically taken. ``Saka,'' the Punjabi word for massacre, has since come to define that painful day in Nakodar and the injustice that followed. Forty years later, we remember these young men not only for the manner in which they died, but for the principles they stood for: faith, dignity, and the fundamental right to peacefully assemble and express their grievances. Their loss reverberated throughout the Sikh diaspora and remains a deeply felt wound for families who continue to seek truth, accountability, and justice. Here in Stockton, home to one of the oldest and most vibrant Sikh communities in the United States, the remembrance of Saka Nakodar carries profound meaning. The Stockton Gurdwara Sahib has long served as a spiritual anchor and a gathering place for reflection, resilience, and community solidarity. For generations, it has been a space where faith and civic engagement walk hand in hand, and where the values of seva, justice, and equality are upheld. As we mark this 40th anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the civil and human rights of all people. The tragedy of Saka Nakodar stands as a reminder that peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy and that freedom of religion and expression must always be defended. We also honor the strength of the Sikh community, whose perseverance in the face of hardship reflects a legacy of courage and unity. Today, we stand with the families of Ravinder Singh, Baldhir Singh, Jhilman Singh, and Harminder Singh. We honor their memory, we acknowledge the pain carried for four decades, and we renew the call for truth and accountability. I am honored to join the Stockton Gurdwara in commemorating the 40th anniversary of Saka Nakodar and to ensure that the sacrifices of these young men are never forgotten. ____________________