Op Bluestar anniversary observed peacefully; for 1st time since 1999, Jathedar doesn’t address Sikh community at Akal Takht

Amid tight security arrangements, members of various Sikh organisations participated in the 41st Operation Bluestar anniversary that was observed peacefully at the Akal Takht on Friday.

Confrontation between Sikh organisations during the Operation Bluestar anniversary was avoided as Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj neither delivered an address to the Sikh community from the Fasil of the Akal Takht nor felicitated the Sikh families whose near and dear ones were killed during the Army operation in 1984.

Following extensive damage to the Akal Takht building in the Army operation, a new building was constructed in 1998 and in 1999, the Dal Khalsa started observing the Operation Bluestar anniversary. Since then, it is for the first time that the Akal Takht Jathedar did not address the Sikh community nor felicitate the families of those killed during the operation.

Instead, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami felicitated the Sikh families who had lost their near and dear ones in the operation.

Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhuma, who had objected to Gargaj delivering an address to the Sikh community from the Akal Takht and felicitating the families, said he “felt relieved”.

Talking to mediapersons after taking part in a religious programme commemorating the anniversary, Dhuma thanked Dhami for avoiding the confrontation in Panthic organisations. He said it sent a positive message to the Sikh community residing across the world that all of them were united.

After Dhuma had made his displeasure public at Gargaj conducting the events for the entire community, Ishar Singh and Indarjeet Singh, both sons of slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, had also spoken against the Akal Takht officiating Jathedar addressing the Sikh community.