Terming it a “planned conspiracy” and a “hateful attack” against the Sikh community, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) demanded an apology from the Government of India for the execution of Operation Blue Star on the eve of its 35th anniversary here on Tuesday.
DSGMC president and SAD-BJP legislator from Rajouri Garden, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, also demanded compensation for the families of those killed during the operation, which was carried out between June 1 and June 8, 1984, in addition to provisional benefits for Sikh military personnel who left the Indian Army in disapproval of it.
“We have requested time from the President in addition to several Union Ministers concerned to submit a memorandum in regard to our demands on June 7 to take the matter forward. This is a different government, we are aware; and our demand is clearly in line with its vision of inclusion across communities and religions,” Mr. Sirsa told The Hindu .
At a press conference held earlier during the day, he said the DSGMC would also demand the formation of a time-bound Commission of Enquiry and a sitting Supreme Court judge-headed special investigation team for a thorough probe into the operation.
Mr. Sirsa also demanded that facts related to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, head of the Damdami Taksal, and his followers who were killed during Operation Blue Star launched by the Army at the Golden Temple complex, needed to come out. “As far as we are aware, there is nothing against Bhindranwale except allegations... A probe needs to be conducted to come out with facts which have been buried under allegations. Several innocent people were killed in the operation and its timing was pre-planned to gain political benefits,” he said.
“Not only was operation Blue Star executed against the Sikhs, but they were also targeted... thousands of Sikhs were killed in Delhi and other cities... During these 33 years, no one was punished by the successive Congress governments at the Centre and it was only after the NDA government assumed power that guilty like Sajjan Kumar were sent behind bars,” Mr. Sirsa also said, adding that people from the community were expecting an apology from Indian government.
