Dal Khalsa Rues Sgpc Silence On ' 84 Memorial

[SaRpAnCh]

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/10606/38/

FATEHGARH SAHIB: Dal Khalsa Tuesday expressed its deep concern over the deafening silence of the SGPC on the issue of erecting a memorial for those who died during the army attack on Darbar Sahib in June 1984.

In a letter fax to the president of the SGPC, party general secretary Kanwar Pal Singh and H S Dhami reminded the SGPC of its resolution passed in an executive meet on 20 February 2002 pertaining to the raising of a memorial in memory of those who embraced martyrdom while upholding the sanctity of the Sikh shrines.

Leaders of the radical group rued that more than 6 years have passed but nothing has been done in this regard. They said it was ironic that the SGPC has a 'rich history' of passing resolutions but a 'poor record' of implementing it.

The approach of successive presidents of the SGPC on this matter is highly regrettable. Under pressure or not, they deliberately choose to brush the issue under the carpet, said they.

Urging the present incumbent Jathedar Avtar Singh to break the silence and take the lead, they said it was high time to lay the foundation stone of the memorial as the Sikh Nation is preparing itself to observe the 24th anniversary of Darbar Sahib next week.

Justifying their demand they said by raising the memorial of martyrs of the faith, the SGPC would not only deliver a sense of pride and fraternity to their families but also goads the Sikhs to relive those times. Also it will be a rebuttal to those, who have been trying to erase this period from public memory.

Dal Khalsa hailed the decision of the SGPC to extend financial compensation to the families of Sikh officers and jawans killed during the Nov '84 Delhi pogrom.

Dal Khalsa UK would also like to express it's disgust at this act of the SGPC,this is direct disrespect to the Shaheeds and their families and insult to the Shaheediyan put down by the Sikh Heroes such as Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale and others who died defending the Holy Complex of Sri Harmandir Sahib.

Sikhs should not expect anything from the SGPC and Indian Nation let alone a memorial to the very Sikhs who rose up to the challenge India put up against the Sikhs.

This June we ask all Sikhs to educate our community within their own areas about the history behind 1984 and the Freedom Movement this would be the real tribute to the Shaheeds,we will never forget them and will never forget 1984.

http://howrah.org/india_news/13822.html

Chandigarh

May 27: Radical Sikh groups in Punjab have criticised the top religious affairs body, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, for failing to raise a memorial for the armed militants and innocent devotees who were killed during Operation Bluestar, the Indian Army assault on Amritsar’s Golden Temple 24 years ago.

The Dal Khalsa has sought an explanation from SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar on why an official 2002 resolution to build a suitable memorial (has not come up) for "all those who embraced martyrdom while upholding the sanctity of Sikh shrines", has been shelved.

Mr Kanwarpal Singh and Mr H.S. Dhami of the Dal Khalsa have lamented the fact that there had been no action on such an important resolution even after six years. They said the Sikh committee seemed to make a habit of passing resolutions but are doing precious little to implement most of them.

The groups have charged that successive SGPC presidents have buckled under pressure and tried to brush the matter under the carpet.

"Jathedar Avtar Singh must break his silence and take a lead in laying the foundation stone of the memorial as the Sikh nation is preparing to observe the 24th anniversary of the assault on Darbar Sahib next week," the Dal Khalsa demanded.