Chandumajra clarifies on ‘role’ in Op Black Thunder

Rebel Akali leader Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra today submitted a letter of “clarification” to the Akal Takht on his alleged role in ‘Operation Black Thunder’ that took place in the

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late 1980s.

He along with other rebel Akali leaders, including Bibi Jagir Kaur, Gurpartap Singh Wadala and Surjit Singh Rakhra, paid obeisance at the Takht after the completion of ‘sewa’ as part of 'tankhah' (religious punishment).

He said they had come before the Takht to convey the completion of the 'tankhah' awarded to them.

“We have come for the completion of our atonement for the mistakes committed by us (knowingly or unknowingly) while being part of the SAD government in the past. The Takht has certified it,” he added.

Chandumajra and SAD leader Maheshinder Singh had engaged in a heated exchange on the matter during their appearance before the five high priests on December 2.

“What Maheshinder had pointed out against me was baseless. I have submitted a letter to the Takht that Maheshinder should have refrained from openly levelling false allegations against me, in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib and the devotees, without verifying the facts,” said Chandumajra, while claiming that he was instead part of the demonstration against 'Operation Black Thunder' and was thrown into the Burail jail with other Akalis.

Meanwhile, Jagir Kaur questioned the SAD leadership for not complying with the orders of the Takht regarding the acceptance of resignations by Sukhbir Singh Badal as the SAD chief, besides other leaders.

On December 2, the five high priests headed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had held them guilty of religious misconduct for not opposing the controversial decisions taken during the SAD regime from 2007 to 2017.

On the delay in acceptance of resignations, SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema had earlier stated that after the pronouncement of the verdict, they had urged Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh to allow the leaders to complete their punishment first.

Sukhbir, who was declared “tankhaiya” (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Takht on August 30, had tendered his resignation on November 16, but it was yet to be accepted by the working committee of the party headed by Balwinder Singh Bhunder.

Similarly, a decision on the resignations of two former MLAs - Harmeet Singh Sandhu and Anil Joshi - who had resigned on November 19 and 20, respectively, were also pending.