Tensions ahead of Op Bluestar anniversary: Damdami Taksal stays defiant, says will oppose Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Gargaj address
Operation Bluestar
on Friday, casting a shadow over efforts to maintain calm.
Giani Gargaj on Wednesday assured that nothing untoward would occur on "Ghallughara Diwas" (Operation Bluestar anniversary) while Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president promised of finding a peaceful resolution. Their efforts have not yielded any positive results.
On Thursday, the Taksal released a poster with a photograph of Khalsa reiterating its stance to oppose Giani Gargaj's address from the platform of Akal Takht.
The Taksal also denied rumours of any meeting between Harnam Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, asking the community not to believe such misinformation.
SGPC secretary Partap Singh said that the committee does not interfere in the functioning of the Akal Takht and only the Akal Takht secretariat can confirm whether Giani Gargaj will deliver the message or if any changes have been made to the programme.
Jaskaran Singh, media adviser to Giani Gargaj, confirmed that, as of now, there is no change.
Sources said that followers of Sikh sects opposing the current developments have reportedly begun gathering at the Akal Takht and its vicinity in apprehension of being stopped by police or the task force deployed by the SGPC, camping overnight to secure their presence in the Golden Temple complex on June 6
Meanwhile, Ranjit Singh, Damdami Taksal president of the Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwale), said that while they neither intend to stop Giani Gargaj nor support him, their focus during "Ghallughara Diwas" will be on advocating for Khalistan. "Our agenda is to raise the voice for Khalistan. We will display banners and raise slogans in support of Khalistan," he said.
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