Amritsar, June 6: On the eve of Operation Bluestar anniversary, the SGPC on Monday put the onus on the Congress government to maintain peace in the holy city, Amritsar particularly the Golden Temple complex.
The Sikh body expressed apprehension over the attempts of several Sikh hardliners to create trouble on the occasion.
The last three years saw heightened tension on the occasion. Bloody clashes were witnessed between Sikh outfits and the SGPC task force in 2014.
The customary address by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has become a bone of contention between the SGPC and various Sikh groups. Though SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar has, for the first time, invited “parallel” jathedars and rebel Sikh organisations to participate in the event, his effort seemed to have yielded little.
“I am helpless and at the same time pained that despite my earnest efforts to bring all Sikh organisations on one platform, they continued to adopt a confrontational attitude. Though the administration has made elaborate arrangements, if any untoward incident took place on Tuesday, it will solely be the responsibility of the Congress government,” he said.
Giani Gurbachan Singh said: “I appeal to the whole Sikh community to refrain from raising any provocative slogans or creating ruckus at the Golden Temple complex, and maintain peace.”
Opposing the Amritsar bandh call given by Dal Khalsa, he said: “Such a move will bring a bad name to the community.” On the other hand, Sikh organisations have declared to oppose the Jathedar’s address on the occasion. They demanded that instead of Giani Gurbachan Singh, either the SGPC president or the head priest of the Golden Temple should deliver the address. Badungar said the precedence could not be altered.
Akal Takht’s parallel “acting jathedar” Dhyan Singh Mand said: “I will deliver the address to the Sikh community as per the precedent. Giani Gurbachan Singh should voluntarily step down to ease the tension. He has lost faith of the community due to his involvement in certain controversial decisions.”
News Source:http://www.tribuneindia.com
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