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Time of India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Security heightened at Golden Temple ahead of Operation Bluestar anniversary
Amritsar: Both the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the police have made adequate security arrangements in and around the Golden Temple to prevent any untoward incidents in view of the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar—an Army operation carried out to flush out militants from the Golden Temple complex. Sources said that as in previous years, intelligence inputs are being gathered to prevent any clandestine activities. A good number of police personnel in plainclothes will be deployed inside the Golden Temple complex. Police officials have also been holding meetings with Sikh groups and organisations that issued statements opposing Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj delivering a message to the community from the platform of Akal Takht during an event marking the anniversary on June 6. Bhagwant Singh Dhangera, manager, Golden Temple, said that all necessary and essential security arrangements have been put in place throughout the complex. He also appealed to the sangat (community) to cooperate with the SGPC in maintaining a peaceful and respectful environment. Amritsar police commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, said that for the past two days, security and law and order arrangements have been actively enforced. In the meantime, the SGPC began an akhand path (uninterrupted recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) at Akal Takht to mark the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar. The bhog of akhand path will be performed on June 6. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and others were present at the beginning of the akhand path on Wednesday. Dhami said that the brutal actions carried out by the then govt in June 1984 inflicted deep wounds upon the Sikh community — wounds that can never be forgotten. BOX Nihangs to oppose Gargaj address The heads of various Nihang Singh organisations held a meeting and opined that Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj was not acceptable to the Panth, so it will not be appropriate for him to deliver the message to the community on June 6 on "Ghallughara Diwas" (Operation Bulestar anniversary). They said that for the restoration of proper "maryada" (Sikh code of religious conduct), all sects, Damdami Taksal, saintly figures, and Panthic organisations are united on their decision. Jathedar Baba Balbir Singh, chief of Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal, said that Gargaj was not appointed as jathedar according to Panthic maryada, so he has no authority to directly intervene in Panthic matters. Stating that every effort should be made to avoid any confrontation on June 6, Baba Balbir said SGPC should introspect on its decisions and must not repeatedly make decisions that go against Sikh sentiments. Nothing will happen: Gargaj Amritsar: "Nothing will happen." This was how Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, responded when asked about the strong objections raised by Sikh organisations, including Damdami Taksal, to his expected address to the community on June 6. "I am 200% sure that this year's Ghallughara programme will be even more peaceful than previous years," he said, adding, "Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, the chief of Damdami Taksal, Chowk Mehta, and leaders of other Sikh organisations are all Gurubhai (brothers in faith). The Taksal's former head, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, attained martyrdom here. It is unthinkable that they would create any disturbance." He emphasised that while differences may exist, "such divisions disappear when Sikhs come together in the Gurughar (house of the Guru)". MSID:: 121624134 413 |
Time of India
a day 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.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Tension prevails over likelihood of protest if Akal Takht officiates Gargaj to address Sikh community ahead of Op Blue Star anniversary
CHANDIGARH: As the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star approaches on June 6 (Friday), the situation remains tense due to the possibility of the protest at the Akal Takht (Highest Temporal seat of Sikhs). The officiating Jathedar (High Priest) Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj is likely to address the sikh community on the anniversary. The Sikh hardliner group Damdami Taksal's chief, Harnam Singh Dhumma, has demanded that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) should stop Gargaj from doing so, as he has not been accepted by the Sikh community as the Jathedar. Also, Nihang announced that they will not allow it to happen. Thus, SGPC is worried as it may be challenging to maintain peace during the commemoration. Meanwhile, SGPC is trying to strike a compromise to defuse the issue. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami had recently visited the headquarters of Taksal at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash at Chowk Mehta village. A meeting that lasted for over one and a half hours to strike a compromise, assured that the issue would be resolved before the event. Hoping for an amicable solution, Dhami said that a meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. Meanwhile, Takshal's chief Dhumma does not want Gargaj to deliver the customary speech on June 6, as various Sikh bodies have not approved his appointment. "SGPC has never indulged in confrontation with Damdami Taksal. I hope an amicable solution will be worked out before the anniversary,'' he said. Dhumma, who is now close to the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) following his support to the saffron party's Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra last November, has been reiterating that if Gargaj addresses the gathering, it will vitiate the atmosphere. He added that they do not want any clash during the event and are fully ready to cooperate with the SGPC. However, he said that they have been appealing that SGPC should appoint a Jathedar who is approved by the community and highlighted that the Gargaj is not approved by everyone. "If a conflicting situation arises on that occasion, the responsibility will lie with the president of the SGPC,' he asserted.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Operation Bluestar anniversary: SGPC panel meets Damdami Taksal's head to strike a compromise
Days after Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma announced that they will not let Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj deliver customary address from the highest Sikh temporal seat during Operation Bluestar anniversary, a Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) panel led by its president Harjinder Singh Dhami visited the Taksal's headquarter Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash at Chowk Mehta village to strike a compromise and assured that the issue will be resolved before the event. Dhami was accompanied by SGPC junior vice president Baldev Singh Kalyan, chief secretary Kulwant Singh Manan, members Rajinder Singh Mehta, Amarjit Singh Chawla, Surjit Singh Bhittewad, advocate Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Ranjit Singh Kahlon, Jodh Singh Samra and Baljit Singh Jalalusma. 'The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. We established communication with Baba Harnam Singh when he first raised questions over the appointment of Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. He doesn't want him to deliver sandesh on the June 6 event, because the Sikh bodies have not approved his appointment. On this issue, we held a discussion with him', Dhami said after the meeting that lasted for one and a half hours. Interacting with the mediapersons in the presence of Dhumma, Dhami hoped that an amicable solution would be found before the event. 'SGPC has never indulged in confrontation with Damdami Taksal. I hope an amicable solution will materialise. We find out the solution before the anniversary event,' Dhami said. Dhumma again reiterated that if Giani Gargaj addresses the gathering it will vitiate the atmosphere. 'We also don't want any clash during the event and are fully ready to cooperate with the SGPC. We have just made an appeal that the SGPC should appoint a jathedar who is approved by all. Giani Gargaj is not approved by all,' Dhumma said. Notably, the kin of slain militant preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was the 14th chief of Damdami Taksal, on Monday said that they are not in favour of accepting 'siropa' (robe of honour) from the jathedar, while Major General Shabeg Singh brother Beant Singh said that the controversy was unnecessary. Meanwhile, SAD general secretary and spokesperson Parambans Singh Romana also took a jibe at Dhumma. 'The community pays tribute to the martyrs of the army action at Sri Darbar Sahib these days, but Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma is trying to torpedo the events being organised in this regard. On whose dictate, this is being done?', Romana said in a post on X.
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 |
