SGPC to preserve bullet marks on walls of Samundri Hall

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 1

The SGPC has decided to preserve the bullet marks on the walls of Teja Singh Samundri Hall sustained during Operation Bluestar, a move that observers say is aimed at countering the impression that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has abandoned its Panthic agenda. Headed by Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale, the ‘kar sewa’ to refurbish the historic building begins tomorrow. 

The SGPC’s additional secretary, Diljit Singh Bedi, said there were at least 100 bullet marks on the facade of the building, which would be preserved by experts. “We are revamping the building for the first time after Operation Bluestar. Special care is being taken to preserve the bullet marks. Whereas most buildings damaged in the Army operation were renovated, Samundri Hall was left untouched. It was not even given a fresh coat of paint. The bullet marks on Darshani Deori too will be preserved,” he said.

Dedicated to one of SGPC’s founder members, Teja Singh Samundri Hall was raised in 1937. The SGPC in 1986 filed a court petition, seeking a compensation of Rs 1,000 crore from the Union Government for the damage caused to the Golden Temple complex during Operation Bluestar. The building with the bullet marks will be cited as evidence during the court hearing, say sources.

The case now is in the Delhi High Court. The proceedings were delayed as the SGPC wanted immunity from paying the mandatory court fee amounting to a whopping Rs 10 crore. It eventually deposited the fee in June 2013. The SGPC has already submitted photographs of the damaged Akal Takht and other buildings to substantiate its claim.