Clamour by Sikh bodies against Jathedar Gargaj address grows ahead of Op Bluestar event

Uncertainty prevails over Akal Takht’s officiating Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj’s address to the community during a programme to mark the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar on Friday, as the SGPC is yet to take any decision on the issue. Various Sikh organisations, including the Damdami Taksal, have announced their decision to oppose his address on the occasion.

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The police and security agencies are on high alert and in regular contact with the SGPC and the other Sikh organisations. It is learnt that police officers on Thursday held a meeting with the SGPC in this regard.

Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhuma had announced their decision to oppose the officiating Jathedar from addressing the community during the programme, which is held on June 6 every year to pay tributes to those killed during the Army operation in 1984. He had expressed his reservation, claiming that the officiating Akal Takht Jathedar had not been appointed after taking approval from the entire Panth and as per the maryada.

Apart from the Damdami Taksal, Sikh Students’ Federation, Dal Khalsa and Nihang Sikh organisations have also expressed their disapproval of the officiating Jathedar conducting the religious ceremony on June 6.

Ishar Singh and Inderjit Singh, both sons of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, had announced not to accept the felicitations from the officiating Jathedar on June 6. Sant Bhindranwale was the 14th head of the Taksal at the time of the operation in 1984.

An SGPC delegation led by its president Harjinder Singh Dhami had met the Damdami Taksal chief to pacify him. However, the deadlock continues till now and the SGPC is yet to take a decision on the issue.

Sources said in order to thwart any unsavoury situation during the programme on Friday, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami might adress the community instead of the officiating Jathedar.

In order to mark the Operation Bluestar anniversary, a programme is held on June 6 every year and tributes are paid to those killed during the operation in 1984 at Akal Takht. During the programme, the Akal Takht Jathedar delivers an address to the Sikh community and felicitates the family members of those killed after the offering of “ardas” and bhog of Akhand Path.

Meanwhile, Dhuma on Thursday refuted the reports about his meeting SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal to resolve the issue. In a social media post, he denied any such meeting while adding that they were still firm on their stand to oppose the officiating Jathedar’s address.