SGPC, Damdami Taksal on collision course

[Azaad 156]

The stalemate between the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Damdami Taksal over the Operation Bluestar Memorial controversy continues as a meeting held between the two sides here today remained inconclusive.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Golden Temple head granthi Giani Mal Singh and SGPC executive member Rajinder Singh Mehta were also present during the deliberations.

Sources said Makkar raised an objection to Taksal’s move to dedicate the memorial to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and engraving his name at different points while terming it as “a direct interference” in the SGPC affairs. He said the boards and the marble on which his name had been inscribed should be removed.

Talking to The Tribune, Makkar said they would not tolerate any intervention in the SGPC functioning. He said the SGPC was in charge of the memorial’s management and it would be run as per the ‘maryada’ of the Golden Temple, which was a symbol of communal harmony and peace.

On the other hand, Taksal chief Harnam Singh Khalsa has opposed any such move. He said they had strongly resented the SGPC plan to remove the board with Bhindranwale’s name. He said the SGPC had been warned not to tamper with the memorial. He warned that if any such move was initiated, it may cause a “division in the community, for which the SGPC chief will be responsible”. He said they will present a memorandum to the Akal Takht Jathedar on May 6, urging him that the memorial’s history should not be distorted.

He said the Sant Samaj and Nihang outfits would take out a march from Chowk Mehta and reach Akal Takht in the form of a procession on May 6. He said there was widespread resentment in the Sikh Sangat over the SGPC’s move to remove the wall clock having Bhindranwale’s photograph. He alleged that Makkar’s attitude at a meeting held earlier was “dictatorial”.

The Taksal chief has called a meeting to decide the future course of action over the suggestions being given by the SGPC. Though the meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere, no decision could be reached about the contentious issue.

The opening of Operation Bluestar Memorial on April 27 here had sparked a row after it came to light that the Taksal had dedicated it to Bhindranwale. The SGPC cried foul play contending it was kept in the dark about it.

The Taksal had inscribed Bhindranwale's name on six spots, besides putting up a wall clock with his photograph. In a damage-control mode, the SGPC had turned around the 'golak' with his name on it and also removed the wall clock. However, his name is still intact on five plaques outside the memorial.

[genie 1,714]

makker is a disgrace this <banned word filter activated> has made Sikhs in punjab fudhu's for too long he needs removing luckily taksal chief harnam is growing some balls at last hopefully there will be enough tension to be created to wake Sikhs up again.

[Singh559 2,670]

From a direct relative who isn't into Sikhi at all (beard cut), but is educated and very, very well connected told me Makkar regularly consumes alcohol.

What can we expect from these thugs? We need to take back our institutions. They're deliberately created to be occupied by thugs so Sikhs stay complacent and without direction.

[Jonny101 4,465]

makker is a disgrace this <banned word filter activated> has made Sikhs in punjab fudhu's for too long he needs removing luckily taksal chief harnam is growing some balls at last hopefully there will be enough tension to be created to wake Sikhs up again.

Dhumma has earned my respect for building the memorial. I think Chatanga Jee was right when everyone(including me) was against Dhuma. Baba Dhuma did a very smart thing, on the one hand it was understood that the memorial was going to be built in memory of the bloodshed of 84. The Badal Sarkar and SGPC had no idea he was going to dedicate the memorial to Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and I guess he kept this hidden from them until the grand opening when to the surprise of the entire nation the memorial had Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale Jee's name and the plaques did not hide atrocities the Indian army had committed on the Sikhs. Even the most Panthic Singh in India and abroad had no idea and were pleasantly surprised that memorial had Sant Jee's name written on it and the info written on the plaques. Baba Dhuma deserves a pat on the back and Shaabaash for this.

[genie 1,714]

Dhumma has earned my respect for building the memorial. I think Chatanga Jee was right when everyone(including me) was against Dhuma. Baba Dhuma did a very smart thing, on the one hand it was understood that the memorial was going to be built in memory of the bloodshed of 84. The Badal Sarkar and SGPC had no idea he was going to dedicate the memorial to Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and I guess he kept this hidden from them until the grand opening when to the surprise of the entire nation the memorial had Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale Jee's name and the plaques did not hide atrocities the Indian army had committed on the Sikhs. Even the most Panthic Singh in India and abroad had no idea and were pleasantly surprised that memorial had Sant Jee's name written on it and the info written on the plaques. Baba Dhuma deserves a pat on the back and Shaabaash for this.

You can tell who has passion and loyalty and love and firm belief for Sikhi and who doesnt The sant samaj lot maybe victims of circumstances and grudingly under the control of spgc and badal raj but they know when to stand up for Sikhi and remember the shaheeds who laid down their lives for faith and kaum. so called badals akali dal (allegedly a sikh party) and sgpc (Sikhism highest institution) lot show their true colours when it comes down to honoring our recent and present day shaheeds. They should be resolute in standing firm and up for our kaum rather than cowering in the face of pressure of hindu extremists like shiv sena. brahmin sena, bajrang dal, rss, vhp, bjp. Who are these hindu extremists to say what we can do in our own Sikh institutions and gurdwara's. That is our business we dont tell the hindus what they can have in their mandirs and organisations

[GPS 1,338]

Ardas performed at inauguration was very forceful and did not mince any word about atrocities committed

on sikhs during operation blue star.

I commend Baba Dhumma for bringing this about in a diplomatic way.When he built it, he asserted himself

and did not cower down in front of Makkar.

[genie 1,714]

Also we need to ensure all the names of the dharmi fauji's and other shaheeds are placed in the yaadghar. Because the list of names would be huge it, possible solution would be to have a electronic display unit that lists all the names and pictures scrolling style.

Or

Alternatively names are put on small marble blocks and put around the yardghaar so that people see how many people lost their lives.

[chatanga 1,058]

Dhumma has earned my respect for building the memorial. I think Chatanga Jee was right when everyone(including me) was against Dhuma.

one thing i have learned from politics, is that little is what it seems on the top, to the average person in the street. Having an interest in the Irish Republican Movement and seeing how Sinn Fein operates has made me realise how behind Sikh political leaders are in a similiar movement.

And you have to be flexible, even on critical core issues, to make the greater achievement in the long term. The more rigid you are, the further behind you will be left. Thats not to mean you have to go the other way either and be a brown noser, but to find a balance which you know is going to be beneficial for the Panth in the long run.

[chatanga 1,058]

From a direct relative who isn't into Sikhi at all (beard cut), but is educated and very, very well connected told me Makkar regularly consumes alcohol.

Frankly, i find that hard to believe, because Makkar loves being the president, because it suits his ego, and personality character of being a thug and a bully. If he4 did drink, and it got out, he would be removed from his position, no-one would take him seriously, and i dont think he would risk that for a drink.