Baba Ramdev Demonstrates Anti-Sikh Feelings, Takes U-Turn on 1984 Memorial

AMRITSAR SAHIB—This past week, Baba Ramdev made a statement while paying obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib in which he praised the endeavor taken over by Baba Harnaam Singh Dhumma for building a memorial in memory of 1984 Shaheeds. In addition, Baba Ramdev had glorified Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindrawale’s life. The statement by Baba Ramdev was a pleasant surprise to the entire Sikh Nation, as these statements had come from a pro-Hindutva individual. Baba Ramdev politically aligned with various Rashtriya Swamsewak Sang and Bhartiya Janta Party leaders.

Providing clarification to his statements made at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Baba Ramdev has now said that when talking about martyrs, he was addressing those who had died for “Mother India” and was not referring to the Shaheeds of 1984, the ones butchered by the Indian Army during Operation Bluestar. It is evident that Ramdev’s clarification has come after strict criticism from right-wing Hindutva parties.

Baba Ramdev is claiming that when he was initially asked about his thoughts on the “memorial”, he did not know much about the project and the reasoning behind it. He said being naïve to the Operation Bluestar memorial, he had not provided any comments on the project.

This past week, Baba Dhumma was seen accompanying Baba Ramdev when he was there at Sri Harmandir Sahib. Ramdev was seen wearing a “Kesri” dastar next to Baba Dhumma. Statements by Baba Ramdev were lauded by supporters of Baba Dhumma, who is also facing strict opposition due to not working with other Panthik organisations on building the memorial. Panthik organisations have expressed the need to build a memorial similar to Jewish Holocaust memorials, which would give great insight into Operation Bluestar; however Baba Dhumma wants to build a Gurdwara in memory of those who were martyred during Operation Bluestar.

Although Baba Ramdev’s initial statements surprised the Sikh Nation, his U-turn has come as a shock as he has denounced the 1984 memorial being built in memory of 1984 Shaheeds. The majority of those who were killed in the Operation Bluestar were innocent pilgrims who had arrived at Sri Harmandir Sahib to commemorate the Gurpurab of Guru Arjun Dev Ji.  The memorial is being built in memory of all those who lost their lives during Operation Bluestar, it honours the victims of the Indian Government’s attack on Darbar Sahib.