Jathedar lauds Sukha, Jinda
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

GADLI (Amritsar), Oct 9 — Much to the embarrassment of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, today paid rich tributes to Harjinder Singh Jinda and Sukhdev Singh Sukha, assassins of Gen A.S. Vaidya. He also eulogised the "sacrifice" of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

While almost the entire leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) stayed away from the seventh death anniversary of the assassins of Gen Vaidya, the presence of Akal Takht Jathedar at the "bhog ceremony" came as shot in the arm for hardliners.

Giani Puran Singh was appointed Jathedar by the pro-Badal SGPC members in March this year in place of hardliner Bhai Ranjit Singh and his presence at the bhog ceremony of the assassins of Gen Vaidya can harm the interests of the Badal group, which holds moderate views.

Baba Thakur Singh, chief of the Damdami Taksal (Bhindranwale), Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, newly elected member of Parliament of the SAD (Amritsar), Justice (retired) Ajit Singh Bains, Mr Satnam Singh "hijacker", vice-president of the Dal Khalsa, Mr Kanwarpal Singh Bittu, general secretary, of the Dal Khalsa, Mrs Paramjit Kaur Khalra, Bibi Pritam Kaur, wife of Sant Bhindranwale and her son Inderjit Singh, Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, a former Jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Ram Singh and Mr Gurjatinder Singh Bhikhiwind, both general secretaries of the Akal Dal (Amritsar) Maj-Gen (retd) Narinder Singh and office-bearers of the Human Rights Organisations and wings and representatives of other hardliners were among those who were present at the "bhog ceremony" today. However, Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Jathedar of Akal Takht, and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president, Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, were conspicuous by their absence.

The written message of Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu of the Panthic Committee, presently lodged in Nabha Jail, was also read on the occasion. Earlier, Giani Puran Singh, performed the "ardas" for Harjinder Singh Jinda and Sukhdev Singh Sukha at Akal Takht in the morning. The secretary of the SGPC, Mr Kulwant Singh, two SGPC members and other functionaries of the SGPC were also present at the time of "ardas" at Akal Takht. Bibi Jagir Kaur, president of the SGPC, who was in Amritsar today, did not attend the "ardas" for Jinda and Sukha at Akal Takht.

Addressing the congregation at Badali, the native village of Harjinder Singh Jinda, Giani Puran Singh described Bhai Jinda and Bhai Sukha as "qaumi shaheed". He said that they took revenge of Operation Bluestar by killing General Vaidya, like Bhindranwale and other Sikh martyrs, the assassins of General Vaidya brought laurels to "Sikh quam". They are pride of the community" he said. Praising Sant Bhindranwale, Giani Puran Singh said being a "true follower" of Sikhism, he fought bravely in the Golden Temple during Operation Bluestar in 1984. He appreciated Sukha and Jinda for the courage shown in the court and did not change their statement. "Instead of appealing for mercy they went to the gallows with smiling faces," he said.

Mr Mann, while paying tributes to "Bhai Sukha and Bhai Jinda" said both of them made the "Sikh quam" proud. He alleged that at instance of Mr Parkash Singh Badal the office of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) in the SGPC complex was demolished in the first week of June. "Our office was demolished because SAD (Amritsar) wanted to observe Ghallughara 'divas' at Akal Takht", Mr Mann said that the voters of Sangrur had elected him from Sangrur to avenge the act of demolishing an office at the time of "ghallughara divas", Mr Mann presented a "siropa" to Bhai Nirmal Singh Nimma, one of the accused in General Vaidya's assassination case who later was acquitted by the court.