Stalemate over Operation Bluestar commemoration as Damdami Taksal, SGPC fail to reach agreement

Time of India

2 days ago

Amritsar: A key meeting between Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami has ended in deadlock over the upcoming Ghallughara (
Operation Bluestar
) commemoration.
Talks will resume on May 4.
Damdami Taksal, which lost its then-leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and many followers during the 1984 military operation inside the Golden Temple to flush out holed up terrorists, insisted the SGPC should limit its role to that of a facilitator or manager for the June 6 event, maintaining that the commemoration primarily belongs to the Taksal. The meeting, which lasted around two-hours-and-a-half, failed to produce a resolution.
A key point of contention was the SGPC's position on officiating Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa reportedly told Dhami that the Taksal would not allow Gargaj to deliver the traditional message to the Sikh quom (community) on June 6.
SGPC chief Dhami assured the Taksal that the matter would be resolved by June 4, claims senior Damdami Taksal sewadar Avtar Singh Buttar. However, the Taksal reiterated that the SGPC's role should remain purely managerial.
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Tensions have intensified with support from several other Sikh organisations — including Sant Samaj, various sects, Sikh federations and Nihang groups — who argue that Gargaj's appointment violated Sikh religious protocol (maryada).
The annual Ghallughara event traditionally includes a message from the Akal Takht Jathedar, followed by honours for families of those killed in the 1984 military operation.
The dispute escalated further when Ishar Singh and Inderjit Singh, sons of Bhindranwale, refused publicly to accept any honours from Gargaj, and urged Dhami to prevent him from officiating during the ceremony's 41st anniversary.
box
Sacred relic displayed
Meanwhile, a bullet-struck saroop of Guru Granth Sahib, damaged during Operation Bluestar, was put on display at Gurdwara Baba Gurbaksh Singh inside the Golden Temple complex. The bullet itself was also showcased.
MSID:: 121573636 413 |
Amritsar: A key meeting between Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami has ended in deadlock over the upcoming Ghallughara (Operation Bluestar) commemoration.
Talks will resume on May 4.
Damdami Taksal, which lost its then-leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and many followers during the 1984 military operation inside the Golden Temple to flush out holed up terrorists, insisted the SGPC should limit its role to that of a facilitator or manager for the June 6 event, maintaining that the commemoration primarily belongs to the Taksal. The meeting, which lasted around two-hours-and-a-half, failed to produce a resolution.
A key point of contention was the SGPC's position on officiating Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa reportedly told Dhami that the Taksal would not allow Gargaj to deliver the traditional message to the Sikh quom (community) on June 6.
SGPC chief Dhami assured the Taksal that the matter would be resolved by June 4, claims senior Damdami Taksal sewadar Avtar Singh Buttar. However, the Taksal reiterated that the SGPC's role should remain purely managerial.
Tensions have intensified with support from several other Sikh organisations — including Sant Samaj, various sects, Sikh federations and Nihang groups — who argue that Gargaj's appointment violated Sikh religious protocol (maryada).
The annual Ghallughara event traditionally includes a message from the Akal Takht Jathedar, followed by honours for families of those killed in the 1984 military operation.
The dispute escalated further when Ishar Singh and Inderjit Singh, sons of Bhindranwale, refused publicly to accept any honours from Gargaj, and urged Dhami to prevent him from officiating during the ceremony's 41st anniversary.
box
Sacred relic displayed
Meanwhile, a bullet-struck saroop of Guru Granth Sahib, damaged during Operation Bluestar, was put on display at Gurdwara Baba Gurbaksh Singh inside the Golden Temple complex. The bullet itself was also showcased.
MSID:: 121573636 413 |