AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—Sikhs again reiterated demand of independent Sikh homeland paying warm tribute to martyrs on June 1984 Ghallughara (holocaust). A record gathering was witnessed at Sri Akal Takht Sahib in a tribute function held here. Slogans of ‘Khalisatan-Zindabad’ echoed in Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) complex. However, no untoward incident occurred and Sikhs observed the anniversary in a peaceful way.
At 7.15 am, bhog ceremony of Sri Akhand Path Sahib was held in memory of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh and other martyrs of the holocaust. Afterward, Gurbani Kirtan was sung by Bhai Inderjit Singh, hazuri ragi of Sri Darbar Sahib. At 8 am, ardas was done. After the message by Akal Takht Jathedar to nation, kin of martyrs were honoured with Siropaos.
Jathedar’s Messages to Nation
In his message to Sikh nation, Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said that deep pain in Sikh feelings caused by deadly attack of Indian army could never be killed. “This is the Ghallughara that can never be forgotten by Sikhs, he said.
“The contemporary governments have been trying to hit dignity of Sri Darbar Sahib and Sri Akal Takht, but Khalsa has always defeated them following its great traditions. Even after 31 years, pain of the barbaric act of the state still alive in Sikh mind in fresh form. At present, Sikh nation faces multiple problems. Sikhs should find out the solution of these problems”, he said, adding, “Our young generation was hunted by the state before, now by drug menace. So, Sikh should initiate to organize drug-de-addiction camps and also work for ending female feticide.”
It is pertinent to mention that slogans of ‘Khalistan-Zindabad’ were echoed by Sikh youth in great number for more than half an hour. But Sikh youth did so maintaining peace in the environment.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann who is receiving medical treatment in PGI Chandigarh was not allowed by doctors to participate in the Samagam. Except him, all the party leaders including senior vice president Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, Jaskaran Singh Kahn Singh Wala, Jarnail Singh Sakhira, Prof. Mohinder Pal Singh, Jathedar Surjit Singh Kalabula etc.
It was significant to note that more than 500 Police personnel were deployed in Sri Darbar Sahib complex. Most of them were deployed at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Although they wore civil dress but there was uniformity in their dress. They wore sky blue turban and white shirt. Punjab Police criminal investigation department (CID) and other Indian intelligence agencies also deployed their more than staff members. On the other hand, as many as 3,000 employees were deployed by SGPC. They wore black turbans.
After the conclusion of the Samagam, some Sikh youth belonging to a organization conducted a march shouting pro-freedom slogans. During this, Bhai Balwant Singh Gopala, president of Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwala, was arrested by Police but released later.
Leaders of other organizations including Akali Dal Panch Pardhani, Dal Khalsa, Nihang Singh bodies, federations, Singh Sabhas also participated in the samagam.
