Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Gargaj skips annual message on Op Blue Star anniversary amid tensions with Damdami Taksal head Dhuma
In a first, the acting jathedar of Akal Takht, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, did not deliver the annual message to the Sikh community on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star Friday, but performed an ardas or prayer.
This came amid tensions between Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhuma.
Gargaj refrained from delivering the message to the community as a condition reportedly put forward by Harnam Singh Dhuma for the peaceful observance of the anniversary.
However, during the ardas, he referred to some community issues typically addressed in the jathedar's annual speech.
During the prayer, the Akal Takht jathedar raised several issues, including the 'targeting of Sikhs in India and abroad,' the concept of a 'Sikh homeland,' and 'discrimination against Sikhs.'
Damdami Taksal head Dhuma has opposed Gargaj since his appointment in March this year, claiming that his selection did not follow traditional procedure.
Meanwhile, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami appeared to be accommodating towards Dhuma's demand.
According to sources, it was decided in a series of meetings that the Akal Takht jathedar would neither deliver the annual message nor offer the siropa (robe of honour) to the families of those referred to as 'martyrs.'
Instead, SGPC chief Dhami presented the robe of honour.
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