AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—Last Year during the commemoration of the June 1984 Sikh Holocaust, violent and bloody clashes erupted between different Sikh groups, leading to international embarrassment for the entire community. This year officials of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Sri Akal Takht Sahib Sahib have taken extra care to make sure such events events do not unfold once again, on the anniversary of the holocaust. The issue was given much thought during a meeting of Panj Singh Sahiban (highest presidium of Sikhs) held at Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Sri Akal Takht appointed Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said the Panj Singh Sahiban have discussed the issue with SGPC members, SGPC officials, Sikh intellectuals and Sri Darbar Sahib Authorities. “Soon, a special meeting will be called with representatives of various Sikh organizations on this issue and to ensure peace during the anniversary”, he said, adding, “besides, an appeal will also be made to maintain peace on the occasion so that there is no violation of ‘maryada’.”
As per sources, after the meeting, the Panj Singh Sahiban directed the Darbar Sahib manager to give clear instructions to the SGPC task force members to ensure peace.
Some Sikh intellectuals also attended the meeting. After attending the meeting, they said that last year’s clash at the Akal Takht had tarnished the image of the Sikh nation and there should be no recurrence of such an incident.
