Amritsar, June 6: A prayer ceremony to mark the 33rd anniversary of Operation Bluestar was held at the Golden Temple complex amid heavy security arrangements by the SGPC and the local police.
In a bid to disrupt the customary address by the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh, a section of hardliners raised slogans in favour of Khalistan and against the Jathedar. Unfazed, the latter continued to read out his message to the gathering.
He compared the Army attack on the Golden Temple with the atrocities committed on the Sikhs under Mughal and British rulers. He expressed concern over the incidents of sacrilege, female foeticide and drug addiction and also spoke of Sikh prisoners languishing in jails.
The situation turned tense when the “parallel” acting Akal Takht Jathedar, Dhyan Singh Mand, addressed the congregation from the ground floor of Akal Takht. He was accompanied by SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann. In his message, Mand said the five Sikh Takhts needed to be rid of “anti-Panthic” forces.
Later, Mann and supporters, who repeatedly raised slogans, paid homage to the June 1984 “martyrs” at Yaadgar Shaheedan.
Among others present were Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, and Damdami Taksal head Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa. On the occasion, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s son and Bhai Amrik Singh’s widow were honoured with “siropas”.
Meanwhile, SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar said he was grateful to rebel organisations for upholding the Akal Takht sanctity. The city observed a shutdown as a mark of respect to those killed during Bluestar, on a call given by Dal Khalsa. Seven companies of paramilitary forces had been deployed in the city.
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