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Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tensions ahead of Op Bluestar anniversary: Damdami Taksal stays defiant, says will oppose Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Gargaj address
Amritsar: Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa remains adamant in blocking Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Gargaj from delivering his message to the community or honouring the families of Sikh 'martyrs' on the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar on Friday, casting a shadow over efforts to maintain calm. Giani Gargaj on Wednesday assured that nothing untoward would occur on "Ghallughara Diwas" (Operation Bluestar anniversary) while Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president promised of finding a peaceful resolution. Their efforts have not yielded any positive results. On Thursday, the Taksal released a poster with a photograph of Khalsa reiterating its stance to oppose Giani Gargaj's address from the platform of Akal Takht. The Taksal also denied rumours of any meeting between Harnam Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, asking the community not to believe such misinformation. SGPC secretary Partap Singh said that the committee does not interfere in the functioning of the Akal Takht and only the Akal Takht secretariat can confirm whether Giani Gargaj will deliver the message or if any changes have been made to the programme. Jaskaran Singh, media adviser to Giani Gargaj, confirmed that, as of now, there is no change. Sources said that followers of Sikh sects opposing the current developments have reportedly begun gathering at the Akal Takht and its vicinity in apprehension of being stopped by police or the task force deployed by the SGPC, camping overnight to secure their presence in the Golden Temple complex on June 6 Meanwhile, Ranjit Singh, Damdami Taksal president of the Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwale), said that while they neither intend to stop Giani Gargaj nor support him, their focus during "Ghallughara Diwas" will be on advocating for Khalistan. "Our agenda is to raise the voice for Khalistan. We will display banners and raise slogans in support of Khalistan," he said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
SGPC tries to persuade Damdami Taksal to withdraw opposition to Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, fails
Amritsar : A two-member delegation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) visited Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash, the headquarters of Damdami Taksal in Chowk Mehta, to hold a meeting with the Sikh seminary's officials on Wednesday. No breakthrough was achieved during the talks in which SGPC was hoping to persuade the taksal officials to withdraw their opposition to Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj delivering a message from the Akal Takht rostrum to mark 41 years of Operation Bluestar on June 6. "We went to the headquarters of Damdami Taksal, but we could not meet Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa as he was away attending a religious function. Still, we are hopeful and confident of reaching a peaceful resolution by tomorrow," said Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, an SGPC member who was part of the delegation. This visit followed an earlier unsuccessful meeting held on June 2 between a delegation led by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and Baba Dhumma at Damdami Taksal headquarters. Following the meeting, Dhami said a peaceful solution would be reached ahead of June 6. Maintaining that the appointment of Giani Gargaj was made in violation of Sikh maryada (code of religious conduct), Damdami Taksal and Sikh organisations like Sant Samaj, Sikh federations, Nihang Singh groups and others, have asked SGPC to not let Giani Gargaj deliver the message to quom on June 6. The two sons of slain Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the 14th iconic chief of Damdami Taksal who died during Operation Bluestar, have publicly announced they will not receive a siropa (robe of honour) from Giani Gargaj. Sources said Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa remained firm on his stance, while efforts were underway to find a middle ground to prevent any confrontation or untoward incident on June 6.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Stalemate over Operation Bluestar commemoration as Damdami Taksal, SGPC fail to reach agreement
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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo 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 |
