Under pressure, Akal Takht jathedar skips speech on Operation Bluestar anniversary; breaks tradition; SGPC chief steps in, honours ‘martyrs'

Time of India

06-06-2025

Amritsar: Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj refrained from delivering his traditional address to the Sikh community from the Akal Takht rostrum on the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar, observed as "Ghallughara Diwas", on Friday, yielding to mounting pressure from Sikh religious organisations, mainly the influential Damdami Taksal (Chowk Mehta),
Sources at the Akal Takht secretariat said the decision to forgo the address was taken to preserve peace within the panth and to avoid confrontation or embarrassment.
With religious sentiments running high, several Sikh activists opposed to Giani Gargaj's appointment had mobilised, threatening large-scale protests should he deliver the customary speech.
Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, chief of Damdami Taksal, along with a large group of supporters, arrived early Friday morning at the Akal Takht, underscoring the Taksal's firm opposition. Baba Harnam Singh had previously urged the SGPC to prevent Giani Gargaj from speaking and claimed backing from various Sikh sects, Nihang Singh groups, and other religious bodies.
Breaking with long-standing tradition, Giani Gargaj neither spoke nor honoured the families of those recognised as 'martyrs'—Sikhs who lost their lives during the 1984 military operation aimed at flushing out militants from the Golden Temple complex. Instead, the ceremony of honour was carried out by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami. However, Giani Gargaj did perform the ardas (prayer) marking the solemn occasion.
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Following the ardas, activists from radical Sikh organisations raised pro-Khalistan slogans, brandishing posters depicting the damaged Akal Takht and images of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the 14th chief of Damdami Taksal who was killed during the Army operation.
On the other hand, Bhai Dhian Singh Mand—the officiating parallel jathedar of Akal Takht appointed at a gathering held under the name of Sarbat Khalsa—delivered his address to the community from within the Akal Takht complex.
Ardas by Giani Gargaj
During the ardas, Giani Gargaj prayed for strength, unity, and harmony within the Khalsa Panth, seeking blessings for the community to emulate its warriors and martyrs. He voiced concerns over alleged efforts to dilute Sikh identity nationwide and condemned perceived anti-Sikh govt policies targeting Sikh articles of faith (kakaars). He appealed for communal unity in demanding the release of all Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners).
Highlighting the targeted killings of Sikhs both in India and abroad, he asserted that Punjab remains the sacred homeland of Sikhs and must never become a battlefield. Giani Gargaj prayed for adherence to the principle of unity and peace, as demonstrated during the commemorations of the Ghallughara, and called for continued unity among Sikh taksals, religious organisations, and Nihang sampradas under the Khalsa's Nishan Sahib.
Activists from radical Sikh organisations, including Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Dal Khalsa, and Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwale raised slogans in support of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and the Khalistan movement.
BOXES
Opposition to 'crusade' religious conversion events
Speaking to mediapersons, Giani Gargaj strongly condemned planned events being held in Batala city under the term, 'crusade,' linked to religious conversions.
He stated Punjab, sanctified by Sikh Gurus, should not be a ground for sowing hatred. Emphasising compassion, he urged the Sikh community to embrace those who have shifted toward other faiths and expressed hope that the 'Khuar hoye sab milenge' campaign for religious preaching would address conversions effectively.
Concern over jathedar's position
Sarchand Singh, former spokesperson of Damdami Taksal (Chowk Mehta), said, "For the first time since 1984, the jathedar of the Akal Takht was compelled to forgo delivering the customary message on Ghallughara Diwas amid widespread protests due to his politically controversial appointment in violation of maryada—the Sikh code of conduct."
He added, "It is deeply concerning that the Akal Takht's highest temporal authority, traditionally a voice for peace and unity, is embroiled in such controversy.
The Panth must reflect seriously on this state of affairs."
MSID:: 121674416 413 |
Amritsar: Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj refrained from delivering his traditional address to the Sikh community from the Akal Takht rostrum on the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar, observed as "Ghallughara Diwas", on Friday, yielding to mounting pressure from Sikh religious organisations, mainly the influential Damdami Taksal (Chowk Mehta),
Sources at the Akal Takht secretariat said the decision to forgo the address was taken to preserve peace within the panth and to avoid confrontation or embarrassment.
With religious sentiments running high, several Sikh activists opposed to Giani Gargaj's appointment had mobilised, threatening large-scale protests should he deliver the customary speech.
Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, chief of Damdami Taksal, along with a large group of supporters, arrived early Friday morning at the Akal Takht, underscoring the Taksal's firm opposition. Baba Harnam Singh had previously urged the SGPC to prevent Giani Gargaj from speaking and claimed backing from various Sikh sects, Nihang Singh groups, and other religious bodies.
Breaking with long-standing tradition, Giani Gargaj neither spoke nor honoured the families of those recognised as 'martyrs'—Sikhs who lost their lives during the 1984 military operation aimed at flushing out militants from the Golden Temple complex. Instead, the ceremony of honour was carried out by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami. However, Giani Gargaj did perform the ardas (prayer) marking the solemn occasion.
Following the ardas, activists from radical Sikh organisations raised pro-Khalistan slogans, brandishing posters depicting the damaged Akal Takht and images of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the 14th chief of Damdami Taksal who was killed during the Army operation.
On the other hand, Bhai Dhian Singh Mand—the officiating parallel jathedar of Akal Takht appointed at a gathering held under the name of Sarbat Khalsa—delivered his address to the community from within the Akal Takht complex.
Ardas by Giani Gargaj
During the ardas, Giani Gargaj prayed for strength, unity, and harmony within the Khalsa Panth, seeking blessings for the community to emulate its warriors and martyrs. He voiced concerns over alleged efforts to dilute Sikh identity nationwide and condemned perceived anti-Sikh govt policies targeting Sikh articles of faith (kakaars). He appealed for communal unity in demanding the release of all Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners).
Highlighting the targeted killings of Sikhs both in India and abroad, he asserted that Punjab remains the sacred homeland of Sikhs and must never become a battlefield. Giani Gargaj prayed for adherence to the principle of unity and peace, as demonstrated during the commemorations of the Ghallughara, and called for continued unity among Sikh taksals, religious organisations, and Nihang sampradas under the Khalsa's Nishan Sahib.
Activists from radical Sikh organisations, including Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Dal Khalsa, and Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwale raised slogans in support of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and the Khalistan movement.
BOXES
Opposition to 'crusade' religious conversion events
Speaking to mediapersons, Giani Gargaj strongly condemned planned events being held in Batala city under the term, 'crusade,' linked to religious conversions.
He stated Punjab, sanctified by Sikh Gurus, should not be a ground for sowing hatred. Emphasising compassion, he urged the Sikh community to embrace those who have shifted toward other faiths and expressed hope that the 'Khuar hoye sab milenge' campaign for religious preaching would address conversions effectively.
Concern over jathedar's position
Sarchand Singh, former spokesperson of Damdami Taksal (Chowk Mehta), said, "For the first time since 1984, the jathedar of the Akal Takht was compelled to forgo delivering the customary message on Ghallughara Diwas amid widespread protests due to his politically controversial appointment in violation of maryada—the Sikh code of conduct." He added, "It is deeply concerning that the Akal Takht's highest temporal authority, traditionally a voice for peace and unity, is embroiled in such controversy.
The Panth must reflect seriously on this state of affairs."
MSID:: 121674416 413 |
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