AMRITSAR SAHIB—Tempers ran high in a meeting recently conducted between Damdami Taksal and SGPC members, and failed to yield any effective results. The agenda of the meeting was regarding the removal of the board and wall clock depicting the image of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindrawale in the memorial recently constructed near Akal Takht Sahib commemorating the victims of Operation Blue Star of 1984.
Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma (Head of Damadami Taksal) who had performed the kar sewa of the memorial had placed a history board and picture of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindrawale which according to him was approved by norms of SGPC. However the decision taken by Avtar Makkar (SGPC) to remove these objects has caused a wave of fury.
Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma stated firmly that no changes would be made in the complex and under no circumstances would they allow the removal of these objects. Baba Dhumma and other members of Damdami Taksal and Sant Samaj handed over a memorandum to Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Giani Gurbachan Singh remained mute over the contents of the memorandum and alleged that a meeting would soon take place to discuss the issue at Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
The board in memory of Sant Bhindrawale has put SGPC and Akali Dal Badal in a tight spot as they have closely aligned with Damdami Taksal and Sant Samaj in the past, along with having a key partnership with BJP. Though Taksal and Sant Samaj recognize Sant Bhindrawale as a martyr, the BJP obviously is against such status being given to Sikh freedom fighters.
On the other hand, Avtar Makkar claimed the objects to be highly controversial and stated that the wall clock has been replaced and the decision to remove the board containing details of martyrs of 1984 is under progress. He stated that the memorial was handed over to SAD premises on April 27th and now they practice full control over it without any intervention from Damdami Taksal.
Meanwhile Paramjeet Singh Dhadi (Head Shriomani Panthak Dal) said that the various Gurdwara committees of England stand in favor of Damdami Taksal and a strict action would be taken against any one who tries to remove references to Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale’s name.
