In A First, No Message By Akhal Takht Leader On Op Blue Star Anniversary
Amritsar:
For the first time during the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of Sikhs, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, did not deliver the customary message to the Sikh community. Instead, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj performed a prayer during which he stated that the message was being conveyed through the prayer itself.
This marks a significant break from tradition. In previous years, the Akal Takht Jathedar would directly address the community with a message on the anniversary. However, this year, the event was conducted under heavy security in Amritsar, and tension was visible over whether Mr Gargaj should be allowed to speak.
Several Sikh organisations had objected to Mr Gargaj delivering any message, arguing that his appointment as acting Jathedar was not conducted in accordance with established religious traditions and ceremonies. To avoid confrontation, Mr Gargaj chose not to deliver a speech and limited his role to offering prayers inside the Golden Temple complex on Friday, the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star.
Tensions with Damdami Taksal Chief
The controversy deepened due to open opposition from another Sikh organisation called Damdami Taksal and its chief Harnam Singh Dhumma, who has been vocal against Mr Gargaj's appointment since March. Mr Dhumma has claimed that the selection process lacked adherence to traditional religious procedures and did not enjoy widespread support among the Sikh community.
According to sources, Mr Dhumma had placed a condition that Mr Gargaj must refrain from issuing any message to ensure peaceful observance of the anniversary. In light of this, Mr Gargaj avoided any direct address and limited his communication to what was expressed during the prayer.
Prayer Mentions Sikh Concerns
During the prayer, Mr Gargaj raised several issues, including alleged targeting of Sikhs in India and abroad, the ongoing concept and discourse around a Sikh homeland and perceived discrimination faced by the Sikh community.
Speaking to NDTV, Mr Gargaj said, "I have conveyed my message in the ardas (prayer) which I performed during the anniversary." He further added that he wanted to avoid any confrontation within the Sikh community.
During the prayer session inside the Golden Temple, emotions ran high. Some Sikh organisations reportedly raised slogans in support of Khalistan. In the wake of Operation Blue Star's anniversary, several Sikh organisations called for a bandh (shutdown) in Amritsar. Heavy security was deployed across the city, especially at sensitive locations and around the Golden Temple complex, to prevent any incidents.
Police personnel in plain clothes were also stationed inside the Golden Temple to ensure peace and monitor any signs of confrontation or unrest.
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Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Under pressure, Akal Takht jathedar skips speech on Operation Bluestar anniversary; breaks tradition; SGPC chief steps in, honours ‘martyrs'
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. 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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 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Peace formula behind averting clash on Operation Bluestar anniversary: Backroom parleys; the upshot: Upper hand for Taksal chief, some sympathy for Gargaj
Jalandhar: For a full week during the 41st anniversary of the Army action at Darbar Sahib, a possible clash involving major Sikh institutions or groups on June 6 gripped the Sikh community's mind and remained the central talking point. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The community heaved a huge sigh of relief as it passed peacefully on Friday. Even as the entire crisis arose from within the top of the religio-political establishment, its peaceful passing was projected as a major achievement by those at the helm of affairs. However, it has also become clear that it is an uneasy truce and has left a strong element of bitterness, notwithstanding the 'positive messaging' by contesting sides and by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami. For once, Damdami Taksal chief Baba Balbir Singh Dhumma, who warned that Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj would not be allowed to speak or honour the families of the 'martyrs', got the upper hand as both his points prevailed. But later reactions on the Sikh social media space reflected that this edge for Baba Dhumma was not visible in the larger perception battle. Rather, Gargaj taking a step back and giving his 'message' through the ardas he performed to avert the clash helped him gain an element of sympathy. This element of soft talk about him by a section of the Sikh netizens, including those who are otherwise critical of SAD president , reflects some shift in the perception battle, given the huge backlash from the community against the unceremonious sacking of two Takht jathedars three months back by the SGPC, allegedly at Sukhbir's behest. There is still strong disapproval for the way jathedars were sacked for political reasons, and for that, Sukhbir's camp is being criticised. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, that is not translating into disapproval for Gargaj in equal measure. Rather, the element of sympathy for him, which became visible later in the day, can be a matter of concern for those who want his ouster from Akal Takht. It is learnt that behind-the-scenes desperate parleys were held to work out the formula to avert a direct clash until Thursday night. Former SAD working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder, along with a trusted aide of Sukhbir Singh Badal, was talking to both sides. Sources said initially Gargaj put his foot down. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, known for his proximity to Taksal, was keen to avert the clash and to protect the Taksal chief's prestige at the same time. After rounds of parleys, Baba Dhumma's point prevailed. However, his tough stance on Gargaj has already raised the stakes for him extremely high, and now the continuation of the acting jathedar at the post can become a sore point for him. At the same time, in this round, Sukhbir has ceded space to Dhumma, even as his party leaders accused the latter of working at the behest of central agencies. He would be facing further pressure as the Taksal chief has already announced plans to stage a dharna outside his residence every month. After the vertical split in SAD, Sukhbir has faced another situation where the SAD leaders, with dual loyalty to Taksal and him, made it clear that their first loyalty was to taksal and everything else came after it. They openly issued statements to oppose Gargaj. This posed another challenge for him. They issued statements to support the taksal chief, even as the dissenting SAD leaders, who are posing the main challenge to Sukhbir, stayed silent during the entire controversy and did not take any sides. MSID:: 121679234 413 |
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Damdami Taksal pushes for panth-wide consensus for jathedar appointments to avoid controversies
Amritsar: After successfully pressuring the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to withhold officiating Akal Takhr jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj from delivering a message during the Operation Bluestar anniversary ceremony over objections to his controversial appointment, Damdami Taksal (Chowk Mehta) has announced plans to push for a formal 'panth parvanat' procedure for selecting jathedars. Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, chief of Damdami Taksal, said the appointment of jathedars should involve consultation with all Sikh sects, Nihang organisations, Singh Sabhas, federations, and other Sikh bodies to prevent disputes. He added that he intends to engage with all Panthic organisations soon to discuss a unified selection process. "It is only when decisions are made without Panthic consensus that controversies arise," Baba Harnam Singh said, emphasising that collective approval from the Sikh Panth would eliminate future conflicts. He further stressed that retirement or removal of jathedars should also be conducted with due respect and dignity, calling for lasting solutions to the recurring issues surrounding these appointments. Baba Harnam Singh urged the SGPC to ensure broad-based agreement among Sikh organisations for all future appointments. Addressing the demand that the officiating jathedar should not deliver the customary address or honour the martyrs, he declined to claim this as a victory, saying such an attitude would reflect ego, which is unacceptable in the house of the Guru. Noting the significance of this year's ceremony, he said, "Since June 1984, this is the first time the Panth conducted the martyrdom ceremony with great peace, goodwill, and unity—without the brandishing of swords." He also praised SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami for his wisdom, patience, and foresight in preventing conflict during the event. "There should be no internal clashes within the Panth while commemorating the martyrs. Today, a message was sent across the world that the entire Sikh Panth peacefully and respectfully remembered the martyrs of June 1984 at Akal Takht," Baba Harnam Singh concluded. MSID:: 121674565 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
