Latest news with #Rajoana
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘No greater joy': Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma welcomes suggestion for Balwant Singh Rajoana as jathedar
Amritsar: Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal, which was once led by extremist Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, on Tuesday said it will welcome former CM Beant Singh assassination convict Balwant Singh Rajoana's potential appointment as the jathedar of Akal Takht. This endorsement lends significant credence to widespread rumours that a faction within the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is advocating for Rajoana, who is incarcerated at Patiala central jail, to assume the position of Akal Takht jathedar. Asked about discussions regarding the Rajoana's appointment to the post, Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma said Rajoana had made a tremendous sacrifice for the 'panth' (Sikh community). "He is a highly respected personality in the panth and there could be no greater joy in welcoming him as jathedar," he said. Refraining from directly putting a demand for appointing Rajoana as the jathedar, Dhumma said there was still a need to establish rules and procedures for the appointment or retirement of jathedars. He said such procedures could take time and cannot be created hastily or based solely on the opinion of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Good News: You May Be Richer Than You Think Undo He said this required the consensus of Sikhs worldwide, Sikh scholars, saints, Damdami Taksal, Nihang Singh organisations, various sects (Sikh Sampradas), and more. Last week, Damdami Taksal had managed to force the SGPC and Akal Takht to withdraw Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj from delivering a speech on the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6. The taksal had objected to what it described as Giani Gargaj's appointment to the post being "against maryada (Sikh tenets)". Gianji Gargaj not delivering a speech meant that the Akal Takht secretariat and SGPC had altered an established tradition of the jathedar delivering a speech on the occasion. On Monday, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhammi visited the headquarters of Damdami Taksal at Mehta Chowk, near Amritsar, and got it to postpone its decision of protesting outside SAD chief Sukhbir Badal's house in Badal village. The influence of Rajoana within a faction of the SAD and his perceived closeness to the Badal family gained credence from a decision made by the SGPC in the recent past after it temporarily deferred to a portrait of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the Central Sikh Museum following a two-page letter from Rajoana, penned on May 14 from Central Jail, Patiala, to Dhami. MSID:: 121755028 413 |
Hindustan Times
7 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.
Time of India
7 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
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SAD faction rumoured to back Balwant Singh Rajoana as Jathedar, while Sarbat Khalsa backs Jagtar Singh Hawara
AMRITSAR: There have been widespread rumours suggesting that a faction within the (SAD) is actively promoting the idea of appointing Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was convicted for his alleged involvement in the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh and is currently incarcerated at Central Jail, Patiala, as the Jathedar of Akal Takht even as the organisers of the Sarbat Khalsa, who appointed Jagtar Singh Hawara—the alleged mastermind behind Beant Singh's assassination and currently held in Tihar Jail—are reportedly advocating for the acceptance of Hawara as the Jathedar of Akal Takht by the SAD. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bhai Balwant Singh Gopala, former President of the Sikh Youth Federation, Bhinderanwala, said that Balwant Singh Rajoana has consistently been expressing support for the SAD and praised the leadership of the Badal family. Given Rajoana's longstanding alignment with SAD, Gopala said that it would not come as a surprise if he were appointed to the prestigious position of Jathedar of Akal Takht, especially considering that the SAD holds a majority in the General House of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which announces such decisions. In 2022, the SAD president had announced Kamaldeep Kaur Rajoana, sister of Balwant Singh Rajoana as joint candidate of SAD-BSP and all Panthic organizations for Sangruru Lok Sabha by elections. However, Gopala also emphasised that while Rajoana's appointment as Jathedar of Akal Takht is not a certainty, the possibility remains, particularly in light of opposition to the current officiating Jathedar, Bhai Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. He speculated that, in the future, a permanent Jathedar of Akal Takht might be appoint in a manner similar to how Gargaj serves as the Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib. "The narrative being made about Rajoana could be a tactic to gauge the panthic mood," he said. The credence to the closeness of Rajoana with the Badals and his influence in a section of SAD is evident from the decision taken by SGPC on Friday after it decided to temporarily defer the matter of displaying a portrait of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in the Central Sikh Museum—after Rajoana wrote a two-page letter raising objections to SGPC's decision of displaying Manmohan Singh's portrain to the SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami from Central Jail, Patiala on May 14. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now SGPC Secretary Partap Singh informed that the SGPC's Executive Committee approved the installation of Dr Manmohan Singh's portrait in the Central Sikh Museum in the recent past, but following the objections raised by various groups, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami has ordered the matter to be put on hold for the time being. However, he didn't inform about the persons or the organisations who objected to the SGPC's decision on the portrait. "SGPC respects the sentiments of the Sikh community and believes that a general consensus among Sikhs is essential on this matter," he said, adding that the decision regarding the portrait will be reconsidered in a future meeting of the Executive Committee. Meanwhile, Jarnail Singh Sakhira, the chief organiser of the 2015 Sarbat Khalsa that appointed Jagtar Singh Hawara as Jathedar of Akal Takht, has urged those opposing Hawara's appointment to recognise the legitimacy of a Jathedar chosen by the Sangat rather than by political parties or religious groups. "The time has come for all to acknowledge the authority of a Jathedar appointed by the people, not by external influences," Sakhira said. He further criticised the current officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, claiming that he lacks widespread acceptance among the Sikh community. Sakhira also pointed out that the family of Bhai Amrik Singh, the late President of the All India Sikh Students Federation who died during Operation Bluestar, informed the Sarbat Khalsa organisers that they will not accept siropas (robes of honour) from Giani Gargaj during an upcoming ceremony scheduled for June 6 to mark the Operation Bluestar anniversary.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
SGPC puts Manmohan Singh portrait display plan on hold after Rajoana objects
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has put on hold its plan to install a portrait of former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh in the Central Sikh Museum at the Golden Temple, the move coming allegedly after death row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana raised objections. SGPC secretary Partap Singh Friday said that the apex gurdwara body's Executive Committee in a meeting on May 13 had approved a proposal to install the portrait of Dr Singh, the former prime minister who passed away at the age of 92 on December 26, 2024. 'SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has, however, ordered the matter to be put on hold for the time being following objections raised by various groups,' Partap Singh said. Sources within the SGPC said that apart from Rajoana, some radical groups too opposed the installation of the former PM's portrait. Rajoana, sentenced to death for the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh and currently lodged in Patiala Jail, wrote a letter to Dhami expressing his dissent with SGPC's decision. 'Dr Manmohan Singh represented a political party, which I hold responsible for atrocities against Sikhs. The Congress party, under which Manmohan Singh served as Prime Minister, is responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Installing his portrait in a museum that represents Sikh martyrdom and pride is inappropriate and unacceptable,' wrote Rajoana. Asking the SGPC to review its decision, Rajoana further wrote that Congress was also guilty of safeguarding the culprits of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and thus 'there is no justification for Dr Manmohan Singh's portrait in a Sikh museum'. Radival Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa in its objection accused Dr Manmohan Singh of not doing much for the community despite remaining Prime Minister for two terms. Partap Singh said, 'The SGPC respects the sentiments of the Sikh community and believes that a general consensus among Sikhs is essential on this matter' He further said the decision regarding the portrait will be reconsidered in a future meeting of the Executive Committee.
