Akal Takht Jathedar justifies calling Indira perpetrator of Bluestar

Perneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 6

Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh today justified naming former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as the perpetrator of Operation Bluestar and raising pro-Khalistan slogans.

Talking to the mediapersons after an “ardaas” to mark the Army operation’s anniversary here, the Jathedar said, “The prayers are offered in a similar manner every year. We’ve not named Indira Gandhi in it for the first time. There is nothing wrong in it,” he said.

On pro-Khalistan slogans being raised after the event, he said there was no ban on demanding Khalistan. He, however, declined to comment when asked whether he supported the demand.

On General Shubeg Singh’s name not finding mention in the “ardaas”, he said they would keep it in mind in future. The objection regarding it was raised by Beant Singh, brother of General Shubeg Singh, who came here for the anniversary event, but wasn't allowed inside Akal Takht.

The Jathedar justified tight security arrangements in view of the last year’s clash. It was meant for the safety of the pilgrims, he said. On deployment of cops in civvies on the Golden Temple complex, he said they had come to pay obeisance at the shrine. He also demanded that the Union Government should return the rare artefacts and books taken away from the Sikh Reference Library during Bluestar.

Earlier, addressing the ceremony, he said the wounds inflicted by Bluestar were still fresh even after 31 years. “These are unforgettable scars on Sikh psyche,” he said.

He said the community should make a united effort for the release of Sikh detainees languishing in different jails for years. He gave a call to the community to jointly work to root out evils like drug addiction and rising apostasy. He also asked them to curb female foeticide and respect women.

The day started with the police and the SGPC task force turning the entire Golden Temple Complex, particularly the area around Akal Takht, into a fortress for the ceremony to mark Bluestar anniversary. The SGPC task force members outnumbered others inside Akal Takht.

As soon as the Akal Takht Jathedar’s address came to an end and kin of the “martyrs” were felicitated, there was intense sloganeering in support of Khalistan by those who had gathered for the Akhand Path bhog. Subsequently, the crowd, mostly comprising Sikh youth, marched around the “parikarma” of the Golden Temple with banners of “Khalistan Zindabad” in their hands.

SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjeet Singh Mann was conspicuous by his absence. Prominent among those present on the occasion included SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar and Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Khalsa.

Tension grips Phagwara

Phagwara: Tension gripped the town as Hindu and Sikh radicals held prayers at different places on the anniversary of Operation Bluestar. The police had made tight security arrangements in the town. While Sikh radicals held a meeting at Gurdwara Sukhchain Sahib, the activists of Shiv Sena paid tributes to the Army men, who died during the operation, at another place. —OC

Chabeel held

Muktsar: The Sikh Virsa Council on Saturday organised a “chabeel” at Kotkapura Chowk to mark the death anniversary of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.  — TNS

Tight security in Patiala

Patiala: The city was turned into a fortress with tight security arrangement in place on Saturday. No clash was reported. Members of the Sikh community held akhand paaths at six main gurdwaras to pay tributes to the Sikhs, who died during Operation Bluestar. On the other hand, Hindu organisations held a yajna at Kali Devi Temple in memory of the security personnel who died on the day. — TNS