AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—The apex Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhik Committee today laid Sri Akhand Path Sahib at Sri Akal Takht Sahib dedicated to the martyrdom anniversary of martyrs who sacrificed their lives while fighting against the Indian army during 1984’s armed invasion to holiest Sikh shrine Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Head Granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Malkit Singh performed Ardas for beginning Sri Akhand Path Sahib while Bhai Sukhwinder Singh read the Hukamnama. Sri Akhand Path Sahib will be culminated on June 6. A large gathering of Sikhs is expected to take place at the time of culmination. The annual anniversary drives scores of Sikhs from Punjab and all over the World as Sikhs remember Indian Government’s atrocities lashed against them in 1984, when the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) was invaded by the Indian Army.
This year marks special significance as the SGPC has launched efforts to bring in pro-Khalistan Sikh organizations to the programs.
Namely, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and the Dal Khalsa have been invited to take part in the programs. Both organizations have been sidelined by the SGPC in past. Three years ago in 2014, a clash took place at Sri Akal Takht Sahib between the SGPC Task Force and some members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) when S. Simranjit Singh Mann was not allowed to speak during the event. Recently nominated SGPC president Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar met with S. Simranjit Singh Mann and asked him to join efforts in commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the holocaust.
At the starting of the Akhand Path Sahib, SGPC member Bhai Manjit Singh, S. Magwinder Singh Khapadkhedi, S. Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Bhai Ajaib Singh Abhiasi, S. Charanjit Singh Jassowal, Bhai Isher Singh (son of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale), S. Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad (President of All India Sikh Students Federation), S. Sukhdev Singh Bhoora Kohna (Additional Secretary of SGPC), S. Sulakhan Singh and others were present.
