High Drama As Protests Mark Advani'S Golden Temple Visit

Azaad · November 16, 2011

High drama was witnessed at the Golden Temple Complex today as SAD (Amritsar) supporters led by its president Simranjeet Singh Mann staged a protest when BJP stalwart LK Advani along with his family members visited the shrine.

The impact of the protest was clearly visible, as the SGPC didn't present 'siropa' (robe of honour) to the former Deputy PM inside the sanctum sanctorum. He was given a 'siropa' and a set of books at the SGPC's Information Office instead.

Normally, whenever a VVIP visits Harmandar Sahib, a 'granthi' (priest) presents a 'siropa' to him. But Advani got one when he made an offering of Rs 500 at the sanctum sanctorum, which is a practice followed with all the devotees offering Rs 100 and above.

The SGPC top brass was also conspicuous by its absence. Darbar Sahib manager Harbans Singh Malhi said Advani was felicitated by presenting a 'siropa' at the Information Office. The BJP leader didn't talk to the media while his family members urged mediapersons to "leave them alone".

Mann had conveyed it to the police authorities that if Advani was honoured inside Sri Harmandar Sahib, his party would vehemently oppose it. Mann and his supporters gathered between the Darshani Deodhi and the Akal Takht early in the morning. When Advani reached the shrine around 10 am, he and his party activists started raising slogans like 'Advani Murdabad', 'Advani Go Back' and 'Khalistan Zindabad'. The protest prompted the SGPC task force and policemen in civvies to cordon off the protesters, which led to some manhandling between the two sides.

Later, Advani faced another round of protests outside the Information Office, this time from SAD (Delhi) activists. SAD (Amritsar) and SAD (Delhi) were protesting against Advani's visit as they alleged that he "provoked" the government to launch Operation Bluestar in 1984, a charge which they attribute to some references made by the BJP leader in his autobiography, 'My Country, My Life'.

Meanwhile, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar has accused Mann of violating the 'maryada' (code of conduct) of the shrine by raising slogans. Advani also visited Jallianwalla Bagh and Durgiana Temple.

BJP leader Gheraoed by Mann men in Batala

GURDASPUR: It was an unpleasant welcome for BJP leader LK Advani at Batala as he found himself gheraoed by over 25 SAD (A) activists who waved black flags at the former Deputy Prime Minister. But the police was quick to react and rounded up the activists. The incident occurred while Advani was delivering his speech after his Jan Chetna Yatra entered the district at Batala, 35 km from here, from Amritsar amidst a lukewarm response. Former Gurdaspur MP and film star Vinod Khanna and his wife Kavita Khanna accompanied Advani. Though Advani failed to draw much crowd in Gurdaspur, a good number of supporters turned up in Pathankot.

jagminder84 · November 16, 2011

Looks like only sardar simranjit singh maan opposed Advani's visit and all the rest of the panthic jethebandia were blind to this.

Giving this person a siropa is like a jew giving hitler a gold metal. Its a disgrace that not even our so called mini-parliament, the SGPC, is liberated from masands. these masands should of boiled alive in oil like dasam paatshah did to the currupt masands.

Look at the foul language Makkar uses. Are we really expecting these people to represent us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hozNmcQKAw