On the 39th anniversary of the Indian Army’s ‘Operation Bluestar’ in Amritsar, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh spoke about how the scars of the 1984 attack make Sikhs stronger. There was a heavy security presence as radicals and sympathizers gathered at the Golden Temple to commemorate the day, but it largely passed off peacefully. The radicals raised pro-Khalistan and anti-government slogans, but were later taken away by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Task Force and Punjab Police. SGPC Task Force members and police personnel kept a close watch on the hardliners who tried to hijack the ceremony.
Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh called for all Sikh sects to work together to strengthen ‘Sikh shakti’, especially in rural areas where the Sikhs felt dejected. He urged Sikh missionaries to come together to preach Sikhism jointly. The Jathedar was clear in saying that they have to take the ‘patits’ back to the Sikh fold, and hinted at the SGPC for inculcating the values of Sikhism in youngsters so that they stop cutting their hair short.
Operation Bluestar was a military action ordered by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to flush out militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale holed up in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. It was carried out between June 1 and 8, 1984, and claimed several lives and left the shrine and complex damaged. Sikh radical group Dal Khalsa organized a rally in the city to commemorate the day and in support of Khalistan. Tight security across Punjab was observed with the radical outfit calling for an Amritsar shutdown. Akal Takht had already directed the SGPC to ensure that the sanctity of the Golden Temple is not disturbed during the Operation Bluestar anniversary.
