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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Sikhs who left Indian Army over Operation Bluestar slam SGPC: ‘Never gave us our due'
Amritsar: Sikhs who deserted the Indian Army in 1984 over Operation Bluestar have accused the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) of not giving them appropriate recognition. Samuh Sikh Dharmi Fauji June 1984 Parivar Welfare Association has announced to launch a movement on June 6 to press the SGPC to acknowledge their contributions and grant them the honour they believe is due to them. In local parlance, Sikhs who deserted the army over Bluestar are called "dharmi fauji". Association president Baldev Singh said SGPC had failed to support them. He said while SGPC claims the number of dharmi faujis is 309, the actual number is 2,875. Baldev, who was serving as a havildar in the Indian Army and was posted in Mizoram at the time, left his barracks in June 1984. He said SGPC only provided compensation of Rs 50,000 to families of dharmi faujis who served jail terms, and Rs 1 lakh to the families of those who died. Baldev said during Operation Bluestar, launched to flush out militants holed up in gurdwaras, Sikh soldiers from various states across India, including Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, deserted their barracks and marched toward Amritsar to protect the Golden Temple, the Akal Takht, and other gurdwaras. "Approximately 4,500 Sikh soldiers left the army during this period and later came to be known as dharmi fauji (religiously motivated army deserters)," he said. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Quoting his meetings with successive presidents of SGPC, he said the association had been holding a series of internal meetings to deliberate on their future course of action, which will be announced on June 6. He declined to disclose any details about the planned programme or the strategy they intend to adopt. Amritsar: Sikhs who deserted the Indian Army in 1984 over Operation Bluestar have accused the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) of not giving them appropriate recognition. Samuh Sikh Dharmi Fauji June 1984 Parivar Welfare Association has announced to launch a movement on June 6 to press the SGPC to acknowledge their contributions and grant them the honour they believe is due to them. In local parlance, Sikhs who deserted the army over Bluestar are called "dharmi fauji". Association president Baldev Singh said SGPC had failed to support them. He said while SGPC claims the number of dharmi faujis is 309, the actual number is 2,875. Baldev, who was serving as a havildar in the Indian Army and was posted in Mizoram at the time, left his barracks in June 1984. He said SGPC only provided compensation of Rs 50,000 to families of dharmi faujis who served jail terms, and Rs 1 lakh to the families of those who died. Baldev said during Operation Bluestar, launched to flush out militants holed up in gurdwaras, Sikh soldiers from various states across India, including Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, deserted their barracks and marched toward Amritsar to protect the Golden Temple, the Akal Takht, and other gurdwaras. "Approximately 4,500 Sikh soldiers left the army during this period and later came to be known as dharmi fauji (religiously motivated army deserters)," he said. Quoting his meetings with successive presidents of SGPC, he said the association had been holding a series of internal meetings to deliberate on their future course of action, which will be announced on June 6. He declined to disclose any details about the planned programme or the strategy they intend to adopt.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SGPC panel to visit Takht Patna Sahib to settle dispute
A Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) delegation will visit Takht Sri Patna Sahib and hold a discussion with the management there to settle the dispute, a Sikh body spokesperson said on Saturday. A row erupted after Takht Patna Sahib when Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, pointed to defiance of its 2022 decree which had ordered an assessment of Patna Sahib jathedar Baldev Singh's Gurbani recitation skills and the transfer of granthi Gurdial Singh. On May 21, the Panj Pyaras of Takht Patna Sahib declared acting Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib head Tek Singh Dhanaula 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) for actions that allegedly hurt the sanctity and dignity of the Takht Patna Sahib. As the confrontation escalated, Panj Pyaras of three Punjab-based temporal seats— Akal Takht, Takht Kesgarh Sahib and Takht Damdama Sahib—passed resolutions against the move. 'SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami constituted a delegation, which includes SGPC's senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, member Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal and Gurbachan Singh Karmuwala will visit Patna. SGPC assistant secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi has been appointed as the coordinator of this delegation, the spokesperson added. Providing further details, Satbir Singh, officer on special duty (OSD) to SGPC's chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan, said that the delegation would travel to Takht Sri Harmandar Ji Patna Sahib soon to hold discussions with its management committee and the Panj Pyaras.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sikh institutions at odds as Akal Takht, Patna Sahib exchange jabs, Sukhbir Badal in the mix
IN A surprise move at a special meeting on Wednesday, the five top priests of the Takht Sri Patna Sahib – one of the five Takhts or seats of Sikh temporal power in the country – declared two of its jathedars or head priests 'tankhaiya', or guilty of religious misconduct. The two included Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the recently appointed acting jathedar of the Akal Takht in Amritsar, the highest Sikh temporal seat, and Giani Tek Singh Dhanaula, who heads the Takht Damdama Sahib in Bathinda. 'Giani Gargaj and Tek Singh challenged the constitution (of the Takht Patna Sahib), interfered with the powers of the local management, and issued an edict against the decisions of Takht Patna Sahib,' said a statement from the Takht Patna Sahib. Just hours earlier, the Jathedars of the Akal Takht, Takht Damdama Sahib and Takht Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur, the three Punjab-based takhts, had lifted the ban on the excommunicated ex-Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gohar and imposed bans on a sitting jathedar of the Takht Patna Sahib, Giani Baldev Singh, and another Patna Sahib priest, Gurdial Singh. When this met with opposition by the Takht Sri Patna Sahib, the Akal Takht said that Section 79 of Patna Sahib's Constitution and Bylaws gave it the power to decide on religious matters and that its decision was final. Gohar had been removed as the Patna Sahib Jathedar in August 2022 by the Akal Takht after allegations of embezzlement. However, an internal investigation cleared Gohar, resulting in the lifting of the ban against him by the Akal Takht. As regards Baldev Singh, the Akal Takht said he lacked 'the required skills' to carry out his duties as a priest, including reciting Gurbani, or sacred hymns and texts. The Akal Takht had asked Baldev Singh to 'prove' his skills through video recordings, but the jathedar refused. In a statement, the Akal Takht said this was among several of its directives ignored by the Patna Sahib leadership in recent years. In its counter-order, the Takht Sri Patna Sahib also summoned Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal for allegedly interfering in its functioning. In the past, it has accused the BJP of similar 'interference'. 'Information has come to us that Sukhbir Singh Badal played a role in this interference. He has been asked to present his side,' the statement said, adding that it directed Badal to appear before it within 10 days. The developments come against the backdrop of a series of embezzlement accusations between the current and former Patna Sahib jathedars, Baldev Singh and Gohar, respectively – and have now sparked a conflict between the Akal Takht and the Patna Sahib over their overlapping powers. This has come at an inopportune time for Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh, who has been trying to stamp his authority as the head of the highest Sikh seat of power, in the face of factionalism within Sikh institutions and allegations of political influence being behind his appointment. Kuldeep Singh was appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex body for gurdwara management in Punjab, though the Damdami Taksal, an influential socio-religious organisation formerly aligned with the SAD, had opposed it. This isn't the first clash between the Akal Takht and Patna Sahib. In 2008, the then Patna Sahib jathedar, Giani Iqbal Singh, had claimed the Patna Sahib's supremacy over the Akal Takht and excommunicated then Akal Takht jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti. Iqbal Singh was later found guilty of religious misconduct. So far, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has not taken a side in the current dispute, though he expressed concern over the wrong message being sent to the Sikh community in the clash between the Akal Takht and Patna Sahib. The Patna shrine is, incidentally, partly administered by a department of the Bihar government. Dhami said matters concerning Panthic institutions and issues must be dealt with seriousness and maturity, and that mutual dialogue is the best path forward. 'The entire Sikh world looks up to these institutions and Takhts for inspiration, but the current atmosphere of internal conflict is creating confusion within the community,' he said, adding that as a leader and member of the Sikh community, he will make efforts – both formal and personal – for a prompt resolution. As far as Badal goes, the summons issued by the Patna Sahib is unlikely to damage him politically, even if the SAD chief is vulnerable politically and has been trying to dispel allegations of 'interference' in Sikh institutions for political gain. Last year, owing to alleged religious misconduct during the SAD's tenure in power in Punjab from 2007 and 2017, Badal had been declared tankhaiya and sentenced to religious punishment by the Akal Takht, then led by jathedar Harpeet Singh. In fact, Gohar had come to Badal's defence during this episode and criticised Harpreet Singh's decision.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Explosions, mysterious missile-like objects, create panic in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: A blackout at 1.30 am and shells of missile-like cylindrical objects being discovered set off panic among people at Jethuwal village in Kathunanagal area on the Amritsar-Batala road in Amritsar on Thursday. Punjab is on high alert amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after India carried out Operation Sindoor --a multiple strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir on the small hours of Wednesday. India launched Operation Sindoor in reply to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 which claimed 26 lives. Sources said that missile-like cylindrical devices were found scattered at different places in the Jethuwal village by the residents. "The parts of missile-like object fell at around 1.30 am," said the villagers. However, they added no loss of life or property was reported. The object was found in the fields of one Baldev Singh and Makhan Singh. "There was no explosion as such. Nor was there any impact on the ground. The police and the forensic teams are examining it. The army officers have also been informed about the object," a senior police officer said. Meanwhile, sometime around 1.30 am, a series of explosions were heard by residents in Amritsar. "Three explosions were heard around 1.30 AM in the holy city creating panic. However, the district administration issued a statement indicating that there is nothing to panic and a blackout has been implemented. A senior police officer said that though the sounds of explosions were heard there was no damages reported anywhere in the city.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
A General's grief: COAS Upendra Dwivedi remembers his fallen brother-in-arms
Naib Subedar Baldev Singh funeral. Chandigarh: In a poignant and deeply personal tribute, General Upendra Dwivedi , the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), paid homage to Naib Subedar Baldev Singh of 18th Battalion the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (18 JAK RIF), who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty while deployed at the formidable Kumar Post on the Siachen Glacier-the highest battlefield in the world. Both the army chief and the soldier had once served closely together. The wreath-laying ceremony was conducted at Shraddhanjali Sthal, Base Hospital, Delhi cantonment, where the Army Chief laid a wreath on the mortal remains of the valiant Junior Commissioned Officer. This was not merely a ceremonial gesture, but a heartfelt farewell by a former comrade-in-arms. Naib Subedar Baldev Singh, a native of Sirsa district in Haryana, was enrolled into the 18 JAK RIF in 2002 during Operation Rakshak in the Kashmir Valley. He first came in contact with General Dwivedi in October 2003, when the present COAS took command of the battalion. At the time, Naib Subedar Baldev Singh was serving in Delta Company. Recognising his potential and spark, the Commanding Officer nominated him for specialist duties in the Battalion's Signal Platoon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Deals Undo The COAS, as then CO 18 JAK RIF, personally mentored Baldev Singh as an Infantry Signaller. The young soldier accompanied the CO in numerous operations, displaying unwavering professionalism, courage, and dedication. Over time, Baldev Singh rose through the ranks and was promoted to Naib Subedar about a year ago. The bond between the two soldiers, built on mutual respect and shared hardships, grew into a familial relationship, making the loss all the more profound and personal. The army spokesperson informed that Naib Subedar Baldev Singh tragically lost his life on 20 April, while serving with the Signal Platoon at Kumar Post in the treacherous terrain of the Northern Glacier, Siachen. 'He will always be remembered as a cheerful, brave, and highly motivated soldier whose commitment to duty and professional excellence were deeply valued. The Indian Army stands in steadfast solidarity with the bereaved family during this hour of grief and salutes the indomitable spirit and devotion to duty of Naib Subedar Baldev Singh,' the spokesperson added.
