In a departure from previous occasions, the top leadership of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the ruling Akali Dal, stayed away from a function within the Golden Temple complex, where the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh honoured on Sunday the assassins of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
At a function organised to mark the 24th anniversary of their hanging, the Jathedar of the apex religio-temporal seat of the Sikh community bestowed siropa (robes of religious honour) on the relatives of Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh, who were convicted in the Indira Gandhi assassination case.
After the customary ardas (prayer) that marked the completion of the akhand path (uninterrupted recitation) of the scriptures at Gurdwara Jhanda Bunga close to the Akal Takht, the Jathedar honoured Satwant Singh's father Tirlok Singh. Relatives of Kehar Singh did not turn up.
Apparently stung by the criticism on the issue of construction of the memorial for those who died defending the shrine in "Operation Blue Star" as well as the recent function to honour the assassins of former Army chief, Gen A.S. Vaidya, the SGPC president, A.S. Makkar as well as top leadership of the ruling Akali Dal stayed away from the function, where despite a considerable audience, no speeches were allowed.
While the SGPC was represented by a low profile manager, H.S. Malhi, pro-hardline leader Simranjit Singh Mann who heads the Akali Dal (Amritsar) and radical outfit Dal Khalsa’s spokesman Kanwarpal Singh attended the ceremony. Unlike the previous occasions, the SGPC did not publicise the event either.
Posted in her inner security ring, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh, had shot Indira Gandhi from close range on October 31, 1984. While Beant Singh was killed on the spot by security personnel, Satwant Singh survived grievous injuries. After the trial that followed, Satwant Singh was convicted for assassinating her, while Kehar Singh was found guilty for conspiracy. Both were hanged in Delhi on January 6, 1989.
Subsequently, the Akal Takht and the SGPC, granted Beant Singh, Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh, the status of "quami shaheed" (martyrs of the community). Their portraits have also been displayed at the Sikh Museum inside the Golden Temple complex. Their relatives have been honoured at Akal Takht at every anniversary of their execution, for the last 24 years.
Another function was held at Agwan village, in Gurdaspur district, the native place of Satwant Singh where a Gurdwara has been constructed in his memory. One of his nephews is the sarpanch of the village. Giani Gurbachan Singh, former Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode and Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma who heads the controversial religious seminary, Damdami Taksal participated in the prayer service there.
Keywords: India Gandhi assassins, Akal Takht honour, Golden Temple, Operation Blue Star, Khalistan Commando Force, General A.S. Vaidya, Lt. Gen. K.S. Brar
It is clear that Khalistanies are still there in Punjab and in control
again of Golden Temple & Akal Takht. They bring bad name to Sikh
community. May be we do not need a blue star operation but let us find
a new KPS Gill
Akhal Takht has set a bad precedent and this is going to have a spin off in other political assasinations. For a community which has served the nation's armed forces in large numbers, this is a slap in the face of the jawans who died for the country. Akhal Takht should try to strengthen the country's unity and not weaken it by acts of this nature.
These so called martyrs did a great job inciting equally (if not more
stupid) fanatics to destroy the innocent lives of many sikhs (and
causing utter sadness to all whose lives were touch by them - these i
might add include the lives of their hindu/muslim/christian
brothers). An eye for an eye made the world blind.
This is what the country has fallen down to. Honour the murderers, rapists and criminals and justifying it with some cause - religion, region or caste. While brave Sikhs join army and serve the nation these Canadian funded pro Khalistanis have no work but to create disharmony in the country?
It is unfortunate to know that the killers of Indira gandhi are honoured by
community leaders. This sends very bad signals of breaking the rule of law.If such
mode of honuring the killers are not rectified, people shall start honouring men who
shall take vow for taking drastic steps in their hands.
The killers were definitely not within the rule of law, and the offenders should not
be honoured by public institutions even if religious. IT is like hindu religious heads
honouring people who demolished babri masjid. How does it taste if people start
doing such things. The Govt's inaction only shows the soft state ....
This is yet another incident where the criminals or their relatives or religious cohorts mocking at the Indian Judiciary and sovereignty of the country in the name of religion and Congress is helplessly looking the other way without any action to display the supremacy of government. Recent outburst of an MLA from AP in support of Kasab and now this honoring relatives of assassins only prove that this government will go to any extent for vote bank politics.
Honouring the assassins of former Prime minister is really very unfortuante.Those who are doing this is under guarded security .No right thinking human will appreciate this.By honouring the killers what they are going to achieve other than creating some more trouble in some parts of India.Do they want this.Religion is teaching tolerence forbearence forgiveness etc but religious leaders are not respecting their religioue teaching.Everybody should IGNORE this
In their genes, Indians must have keen desire of being a king. That is why so many religions, so many gods, so many party, fights for more and more states, so many languages, .....
A me-me-me tendency, disrespect for other's sentiments.
Recognizing an assissin is height of the stupidity
From Bal Thakrey to Akbaruddin Owaisi to Khalistan all of these extremists outfits and their separatist ideology have served only one purpose. Hatred among people on the basis of religion, caste, creed, language and geographical locations. Now India has to awake and choose its own destiny.
In this particular case honoring the assassins clearly shows that Akal Takht is considered to be superior than the judiciary system by extremists. The killers, the people who betrayed their profession (being the Body Guards) of the Prime Minister are being honored, wow what message is this giving to young generations who are slowly being given the religious poision that will definately burst at a later stage. Really the young India needs a re-alignment and the best policy is to stay away from sadists, extremists and separatists.
I don't know what is happening in this country, too much polarisation
will kill this beautiful country. All religions preaches about
restraint but the followers of those do not practice it. Please let us
not divide again in the name of religion...
Such type of cheap practice should be banned unanimously by either
Government. Sikh Community spoils the Great Image of Golden Temple.
Golden temple is also for Hindu not only Sikh. But some people are
taking undue-advantage. Why they are honoring the culprit of Late Indira
Gandhi assassination ?
The great saints and the great fighter, I have great regards for,
preached and fought for humanity and dignity. I am sure they did not do
it for petty aims. They did it for goodness and hinduism at peril. And
today, entire nation is at peril from within. I wish such great leaders
are reborn again.
Those people murdered Smt. Indira Gandhi not in a war or a battle.
Attacking an unarmed women by acting as her confidants and killing
mercilessly is an act of cowardice. It is a blemish in the history of
the Sikhism. It is a shame to honor those killers whatever the reason
Akal Thakt has an argument. They are also going to be alienated in the
hearts of millions of Indians.
The govt of India is mere spectator. Some of the community politicians are engaging in anti-India policies to garner votes. Akbarrudin Owaisi and Gubachan singh should be booked under similar sections .This so called Akal takhat head has no time to focus on the youth of Punjab who are addicted to drugs. Punjabis already suffered a lot during terrorism. The govt of India should step in at the earliest to protect its youth from again being landed onto terror path. People like owaisi and Gurbachan singh have their covert motives. Once most prosperous state, lost battle against terror when businesses, culture were thrown outside Punjab. As punjabi youth is struggling for its drug free life these religious heads are working again to push them on terror path. May my Waheguru save my punjab and punjabis from any wrong path.
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