MEHTA, Punjab—33rd anniversary of June 1984 holocaust was observed at Damdami Taksal’s headquarter Chowk Mehta under the leadership of Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma which was attended by Sikhs from all over Punjab. The gathering got so large that even the extra arrangements made by Damdami Taksal couldn’t fit to the congregation. Prominent Akali Dal, SGPC and DSGMC were present during the event, while representatives of several pro-freedom outfits including the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and the Dal Khalsa remained absent due to their differences with Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma.
Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma sought establishment of a martyr’s gallery in the basement of Sri Akal Takht Sahib in memory of June 1984 martyrs. He also conferred ‘Seva Rattan Award’ to Bibi Parkash Kaur Chadda from Delhi for her services to the Panth.
Gathering at Chowk Mehta was a safe haven for Giani Gurbachan Singh, SGPC appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib. While he was unable to properly address the Sikh sangat at Akal Takht Sahib due to boycott by Sikh sangat, he comfortably delivered his speech here.
SGPC President Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar took on his political rivals who didn’t support his stance of allowing Giani Gurbachan Singh to give customary speech from Sri Akal Takht Sahib on June 6. He said that Giani Gurbachan Singh is still the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib and had all rights to address the Sikhgar.
Addressing the Sikh sangat on this occasion, DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK said that though the Indian state had demolished the supreme Sikh throne Sri Akal Takht Sahib in June 1984 but it couldn’t demolish the Sikh ideology. He added that the Sikhs were being given third class treatment in India despite of making more than 80% sacrifices for its freedom from British rulers.
