Latest news with #Gargaj
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
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Jathedar meets Rajoana, calls for unity ahead of Op Bluestar aniv
Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Tuesday met Sikh prisoner Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in CM Beant Singh assassination case, in the Patiala central jail. Following the meeting, Jathedar Gargaj slammed the government's 'discriminatory' stance regarding Rajoana's release and commutation of death sentence. 'This must be confronted with united resistance from the panth (community). Sikh prisoners, who have completed their terms have not been released and it is a clear indication of the government's apathetic attitude towards Sikhs,' the jathedar said. Rajoana, a former Punjab Police constable, was sentenced to death in 2007 for his role as a backup bomber in the suicide attack in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995, that killed former CM Beant Singh and 16 others. In 2012, Rajoana was scheduled for execution, but it was stayed after the SGPC filed a mercy plea on his behalf for commutation of the death sentence. Over the years, successive governments have cited national security concerns and the delicate political environment in Punjab as reasons for the delay in deciding the plea. Replying to a query, the jathedar said that the June 6 Operation Bluestar anniversary should be observed with respect. 'The June 6 anniversary event should be observed with respect. All Sikhs must remain committed to upholding the dignity and sanctity of Akal Takht,' Gargaj said, without naming Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma, who had announced that they don't accept the present jathedar and will not let him deliver an address during the event. Gargaj also said that Rajoana is also in favour of maintaining the maryada (code of conduct), and the respect of Akal Takht at all costs. SAD senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Tuesday backed Giani Gargaj and said the June 6 event should be observed without any disruption.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Punjab BJP deletes tribute post for those killed during Operation Bluestar
The Punjab BJP has deleted a social media post in which it paid tributes to "martyrs" of Operation Blue Star, the Army operation which was carried out in June 1984 to flush out armed militants from the Golden Temple. The post on X was shared on Sunday but it was taken down later without assigning any reason for the same. In the post, the Punjab BJP had condemned the then Congress government for "attacking the Golden Temple" and expressed solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives. The post, which has now been deleted, read, "June 1, 1984'?' 'Saka Neela Tara'. A humble tribute to all the martyrs of the day one of the attack on the Darbar Sahib by the Congress government." In a statement, Gargaj stated, "In June 1984, when Sikh devotees had gathered to observe the martyrdom day of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, the then Congress-led government launched a military assault using tanks, artillery, and bullets on the central Sikh religious place, Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, and Sri Akal Takht Sahib." He said, "the Sikh community can never forget the military attack of June 1984. "The first week of June each year is a deeply emotional and solemn time for the 'Panth', when martyrs are remembered," he said. The jathedar urged that from June 1 to 6, special 'Gurmat Samagams' (religious congregations), lectures, and seminars should be organised globally by Sikhs. He also instructed all gurdwara management committees to hold special Sri Akhand Path Sahib recitations and invite historians and preachers to gurdwaras to educate 'sangat' (congregation) about the events of June 1984 and November 1984 (anti-Sikh riots).
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Giani Gargaj pushes for unity as Taksal to oppose his Akal Takht address during Op Bluestar anniversary event
A day after the announcement by Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma regarding preventing acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj from delivering a message from the platform of Akal Takht during an event marking Operation Bluestar anniversary on June 6, Gargaj called for panthic unity on Sunday. The announcement has left the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) worried as in such a situation, it may be challenging for it to maintain peace during the commemoration. On Monday, an SGPC delegation, led by president Harjinder Singh Dhami, will meet the Damdami Taksal chief. Reiterating that Gargaj's appointment was not made in accordance with the Sikh 'rehat maryada' (code of conduct), Dhumma had on Saturday said the community does not accept Gargaj as a legitimate jathedar, and any attempt by him to deliver a message would be strongly opposed by the Damdami Taksal and other Sikh organisations,' he said. Meanwhile, Simranjit Singh Mann, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), said any attempt to silence Giani Gargaj is unjust and divisive. 'We will not allow such a misconduct. Sri Akal Takht Sahib is Sikhs' spiritual throne. Here, we must gather with humility and respect to remember our martyrs through prayer,' he said. 'From Abdali to Indira Gandhi, many have attacked Sri Akal Takht Sahib, but it has always stood firm. We urge Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma to uphold the sanctity of this Takht and show seriousness and respect in his statements,' he said. An SGPC official, requesting anonymity, said, 'Maintaining peace during the event will be a big challenge.' Harjinder Singh Dhami will lead an SGPC delegation to meet Dhumma on Monday. In a press release issued by the SGPC office, he stated that the purpose of the meeting with the head of Damdami Taksal is to strengthen the panthic unity and to prevent any kind of confrontation during the event. Dhami admitted to being concerned about the current situation but expressed confidence in finding a meaningful resolution. Meanwhile, Giani Gargaj also appealed to the entire Sikh community to commemorate these days with the spirit of panthic unity and pay respectful homage to the 'martyrs'. He said, 'The Sikh community can never forget the military attack of June 1984. The first week of June each year is a deeply emotional and solemn time for the Panth, when martyrs are remembered. These martyrs sacrificed their lives for the nation, and they will always hold a place of utmost respect in the hearts of the Sikhs'. Gargaj said, 'From time to time, certain forces have covertly attempted to prevent the Sikh community from remembering the martyrs of June 1984 and to sow division within the Khalsa Panth. However, the community has always remembered its martyrs with unwavering spirit (chardi kala) and will continue to do so. The panth needs unity, not division.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SGPC team to meet Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma, seminary adamant
Amritsar: Damdami Taksal, Chowk Mehta, is sticking to its stance of not letting the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, to deliver a message on the 41st Operation Bluestar anniversary on June 6, despite the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announcing a meeting with the Sikh seminary's chief, Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma, on June 2. "We welcome the SGPC's delegation to meet and discuss, but we stand by our decision of preventing Giani Gargaj from delivering the message to the quom on Ghallughara Diwas on June 6," Avtar Singh Buttar, a senior sewadar of Damdami Taksal, said on Sunday. A day after Damdami Taksal asked SGPC to stop Gargaj from delivering the message from the rostrum of Akal Takht, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said he would lead a delegation to meet Baba Harnam Singh on June 2 to prevent any kind of confrontation during the event. Dhami conceded he was concerned about the situation, but expressed confidence in finding a solution. The taksal's objection centres on the legitimacy of Gargaj's appointment and authority as the officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht. After taksal's warning and before the SGPC's decision to send a delegation to meet Dhumma, Gargaj, in a release issued from the Akal Takht secretariat, appealed to the Sikh community to commemorate the 'Shaheedi Hafta (martyrdom week)' of June 1984 event with the spirit of "panthic" (Sikh community) unity and pay homage to those killed during Operation Bluestar. Avtar Singh Buttar said the SGPC could consider asking another Sikh religious leader, such as one of the other high priests, a head granthi, or a widely respected Sikh personality, to deliver the message instead. He said Damdami Taksal remained firm in its decision. If Gargaj delivers the address from the Akal Takht rostrum on June 6, the taksal, along with the entire Sant Samaj, various Sikh sects, Sikh federations, Nihang Singh organisations, and the broader Sikh Panth, will strongly oppose the move, he added.
