March By Radical Sikhs, Sgpc In Dilemma Over Memorial

[Dassan Daas]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090604/punjab.htm#7

Op Bluestar Anniversary

March by radical Sikhs, SGPC in dilemma over memorial

Varinder Walia

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 3

Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee president Avtar Singh is non-committal over memorial in the Golden Temple complex in the memory of those killed in Operation Bluestar in June 1984. SGPC executive committee member Karnail Singh Panjoli received memorandum from radical Sikh organisations today and said to place the matter in the meeting of the Shiromani Committee so that suitable memorial could be raised per resolution passed by the general house of the Shiromani Committee, during the presidentship of Bibi Jagir Kaur.

However, it is learnt the SGPC is unlikely to build the memorial due to pressure from the Shiromani Akali Dal’s alliance partner the BJP.

The memorandum was submitted by certain other radical Sikh organistions which undertook protest march from Dal Khala office to the SGPC complex, carrying placards of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh and Maj General Shahbeg Singh (retd) who were killed in Army action. The youths raised slogans against then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The march was undertaken under the banner of ‘Genocide Remembrance Parade’ carrying black flags during march to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Darbar Sahib attack. Slogans like ‘Cruel hands of India’, ‘Never forget 1984’, ‘India should bow its head in shame’ and ‘Death of Indian secularism’ along with photographs of damaged Akal Takht Sahib were also written on the placards.

Boys and girls of the ‘Sikh Youth of Punjab’ led by its president Ranbir Singh were leading the procession wearing black T-shirts depicting photographs of Sant Bhindranwale. Family members of those killed in Operation Bluestar also took part of the procession. Dal Khalsa president H S Dhami said it was important to enact law to prevent such events. Stray apologies by the Prime Minister or the Congress president meant nothing, Dhami added

Condemning the 1984 events, Damdami Taksal head Baba Harnam Singh, Dal Khalsa’ s Kanwarpal Singh and KAC convener Bhai Mohkam Singh said future of minorities in the country was at stake.

Akhand Kirtani jatha head Gaini Baldev Singh, former jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal, Akal Federation chairman Naraien Singh, human rights activist Parmjit Kaur Khalra and leader of the SAD (Panch Pardani) Harpal Singh Cheema also participated in the march.