AMRITSAR SAHIB—Showing his concern over the Sikh Genocide & Operation Blue Star Memorial controversy, Baba Ram Singh (Jathedar of a faction of Damdami Taksal) has announced that a meeting will be held on 24 May. The meeting would be held in the presence of the appointed Akal Takht Jathedar under the agenda of “Panthik Unity.” Members from all prominent Sikh organizations are expected to be present there.
Giani Ram Singh said that the memorial had been constructed due to the demands of Sikh sangat all around the globe with the approval of Parkash Badal (CM Punjab). It is a tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in 1984 under the leadership of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindrawale as well as the tens of thousands of innocents who were butchered by the government sponsored genocide.
Issuing a statement in a press conference Baba Ram Singh said that no changes would be allowed to take place in the Memorial itself. The plaque containing the name of Sant Bhindrawale and other martyrs would remain in the complex itself and the names of more martyrs would be added to it. He said that the matter being internal to the Sikh community would be resolved by them and no interference from Indian political parties such as BJP or Congress was required.
Earlier Baba Ram Singh participated in a meeting with Bhai Manjeet Singh (Senior member SAD) to discuss the issues that he encountered on his recent overseas visit. He was requested to come back by Avtar Singh Makkar to resolve the ongoing conflict between SGPC and Damdami Taksal regarding the recently constructed Operation Bluestar Memorial Gurdwara.
A conflict arose between the SGPC and Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma over a plaque installed outside of the Gurdwara that honours the martyrdom of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindrawale. The SGPC was pressured by external parties to remove the plaque. The matter was subsequently handed over to Giani Gurbachan Singh who is yet to take a decision along with other Singh Sahibs. He has however alleged that Sikh Sangat should refrain from installing pictures inside Gurdwaras. He has not made a statement on the plaque itself.
