Latest news with #Ghallughara
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Uphold authority of Akal Takht, avoid confrontation on June 6: Balwant Singh Rajoana's message from jail
Patiala: Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh's assassination case, issued a strong message to the , reaffirming that Akal Takht is the supreme authority of the Khalsa Panth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Rajoana's message was conveyed following a meeting at Patiala Central Jail with Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Tuesday. Jathedar Gargaj, who visited the jail and held discussions with Rajoana on crucial Panthic and Gurmat matters, said the jailed Sikh leader urged the community to preserve the dignity and traditions of Akal Takht during the 41st anniversary of 1984 "Ghallughara" (referred to as ), on June 6, "Sikh Panth is bigger than me. If the Panth asks me to refrain from any action on June 6, I will abide. I am a servant of the Panth and hold no hatred towards anyone, including Harnam Singh Khalsa," Rajoana said in his message. Rajoana called upon the Sikh community to avoid any confrontation on June 6. He reminded that jathedars have always been appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and such appointments should be respected by all. Jathedar Gargaj described Rajoana as a "precious asset" of the Sikh Panth, adding that he had offered personal prayers for Rajoana's "chardi kala" (high spirits) and presented him with "deg" (blessed food) from Gurdwara Sri Dukhniwaran Sahib. Jathedar Gargaj also criticised attempts to prevent him from addressing the community on "Ghallughara Diwas". Recently, Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma had urged the SGPC to stop jathedar Gargaj from delivering the June 6 message from the Akal Takht rostrum. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The Panth must rise above divisions. June 6 must be observed with peace, prayer, and unity, honouring martyrs like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Amrik Singh, and Shabeg Singh, who gave their lives to defend Sikh values," the jathedar said. At the same time, jathedar Gargaj condemned the govt's "discriminatory approach" regarding Rajoana's prolonged incarceration. He said that in 2019, during Guru Nanak Dev's 550th birth anniversary, the central govt announced the release of several Sikh prisoners, including Rajoana — a promise that remains unfulfilled. He also warned against disruptive forces attempting to exploit sacred occasions, citing a recent incident of sacrilege involving "Gutka Sahib" near Golden Temple. He urged the govt to take strict and exemplary action against those responsible. MSID:: 121600441 413 | MSID:: 121600441 413 |
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 |
