AMRITSAR SAHIB—The SGPC and freedom groups came together today when they paid rich tributes to Harjinder Singh Jinda and Sukhdev Singh Sukha, assassins of Gen A.S. Vaidya at a function organized by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) at Akal Takht on Wednesday.
While almost the entire leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) stayed away from the 21st death anniversary of the assassins of Gen Vaidya, the Sikhs slammed Akali moderates for not attending the function due to perceived fear of backlash from Hindu voters and the national media.
Darbar Sahib Granthi Bhai Rewail Singh bestowed siropas (robes of honour) upon Nirbhai Singh and Bhupinder Singh, brothers of Harjinder Singh Jinda, and on the cousin sister of Sukhdev Singh Sukha.
While speaking on the occasion, Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh said, “we gathered here to pay tributes to them as they are our quami martyrs who embraced martyrdom to avenge the sacrilege of Darbar Sahib and Akal Takht”. He described them as martyrs of the Khalistan struggle.
Describing the assassination of General Vaidya as an act of bravery, Dal Khalsa head H S Dhami praised Sukha and Jinda for the exemplary courage shown during the trial of the case.
“Instead of appealing for mercy they went to the gallows with smiling faces,” he said.
Damdami Taksal leader Bhai Mohkam Singh said both the warriors brought laurels to the “Sikh quam.”
Harpal Singh Cheema of Akali Dal Panch Pardani, while paying tributes to “Bhai Sukha and Bhai Jinda” said both of them made the “Sikh quam” proud.
Prominent amongst others who were present includes Sarbjit Singh Ghuman, Gurdeep Singh (both Dal Khalsa), SYP head Ranbir Singh and Panch Pardani leader Baldev Singh Sirsa.
