Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar during the 33rd anniversary of Operation Blue Star on Tuesday. The function concluded peacefully amid tight security. Sikh hardliners led by radical Sikh leader and president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Simranjit Singh Mann raised slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ soon after the Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat for Sikhs) Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh started his formal address.
It was on June 6, 1984, that the Army had stormed the Golden Temple to flush out extremists led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
‘Sikh sentiments hurt’
Slogans were raised against Giani Gurbachan Singh, as hardliners objected to the customary address by the Akal Takht Jathedar amid allegations of hurting Sikh sentiments in the episode of pardoning Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. He, however, continued his speech saying, “The Sikh community will remember the unhealed wounds of Operation Blue Star.”
“We boycotted Gurbachan Singh’s address and staged a walkout. It’s disappointing that Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee overlooked the “Panth’s” objection and anger against Gurbachan Singh, and failed to read the writing on the wall,” said Kanwar Pal Singh, spokesperson of Dal Khalsa, a Sikh radical group.
Dal Khalsa had called for a shutdown in the city to commemorate the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Mr. Kanwar Pal claimed that the shutdown was a success.
