Amritsar, June 17: Almost 34 years after their arrest from the Golden Temple during Operation Bluestar, the 40 Sikhs have joined hands to counter the Centre’s move to challenge the compensation awarded to them by a local court in 2017.
Despite being associated with the Akalis, they decided to oppose the party’s alliance partner, the BJP.
Jasbir Singh Ghuman, one of the “detainees”, said they had unanimously decided to conduct a march with Jodhpur victims’ families to oppose all BJP candidates contesting the General Election in Punjab, if the Centre didn’t withdrew its petition from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
“It is up to the SAD to decide whether they want us or BJP that played anti-Sikh role. The Tiwana Commission report in May 1986 testified our illegal detention and torture by the police. We were officially declared innocent by the then Rajiv Gandhi-led Union government and a court here too announced compensation to us. Under what justification, the Modi-led BJP questions it now?” he said.
In April last, the court had directed both Centre and state governments to give Rs 4 lakh each to the “detainees” along with six per cent interest per annum from the date of filing the suit. Challenging these orders, the Centre has filed a plea in the High Court. The next date of hearing is July 2.
Another “detainee” Manjit Singh showed his gratitude towards the SGPC and CM for showing solidarity with them.
Source Tribune India
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