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Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Week on, Giani Gargaj addresses two events without disruption
After skipping address at the Akal Takht during the event organised to observe the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6 amid opposition from Harnam Singh Dhumma-led Damdami Taksal, acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has delivered his speeches at the highest Sikh temporal seats twice without any disruption during the key events. Before June 6, Dhumma had announced that they would not let Giani Gargaj deliver his 'sandesh' (message) during the event, citing that they do not accept him as a 'jathedar'. To avert the clash, Giani Gargaj skipped the address though he raised issues concerning the community in the 'ardas (prayer)'. After a week, the birth anniversary of Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru of the Sikhs and Akal Takht's founder, was celebrated at the highest Sikh temporal seat. As acting jathedar of the Takht, Giani Gargaj delivered his speech without any hassle. On Monday, the foundation day of the Akal Takht was celebrated there. Again, Giani Gargaj addressed the devotees on the occasion. He faced no opposition during these events. However, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, who has proximity with Dhumma, did not attend both the events. Days after 'Panj Pyare' of Takht Patna Sahib challenged the edict issued by the Sikh clergy at Akal Takht, Giani Gargaj put light on the history of the highest Sikh temporal seat to prove that Akal Takht is supreme and no can challenge its supremacy, while addressing on Monday. Jathedar Gargaj particularly appealed to Sikh youth, warning that efforts are being made today to disconnect them from their Guru through moral decay. He urged every individual to recognise their responsibility and ensure that Sikh youth remain connected to the faith. He also condemned the vulgarity being spread over social media, days after a social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, alias Kamal Kaur Bhabi, was murdered for allegedly spreading vulgarity.
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Op Bluestar anniversary: To avert clash, jathedar delivers ‘sandesh during ardas
The 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar was observed peacefully at Golden Temple in Amritsar amid tight security on Friday, with the Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj delivering 'sandesh' (message) to the community during 'ardas' (prayer) to avert any clash. Instead of jathedar, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami felicitated the kin of Sikh leaders with 'siropa' (robe of honour) killed during the army action in June 1984. This is the first time in 25 years (1999) since the event became an annual affair, that a jathedar has not delivered a direct address to the community from the Akal Takht, thus avoiding any confrontation with Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma and some Nihang organisations, who had opposed Giani Gargaj's appointment as jathedar and had announced that they would not let him deliver 'sandesh.' In a surprise move, Giani Gargaj performed the 'ardas' at the end of which he raised issues concerning the Sikh community, what was called his 'sandesh.' He sought the release of Sikh prisoners; the unity of the panth; restrictions on wearing kakars (articles of faith) by Sikhs, and a prayer for Punjab not becoming a battleground in the India-Pakistan conflict. He also raised concern over ongoing efforts to blur Sikh identity and the issue of 'targeted killings' of Sikhs in the country. Interacting with the media at the Takht secretariat later, Giani Gargaj said, 'I gave my sandesh through ardas.' 'Sometimes we have to make such kind of decisions for the larger interests of the panth', he added. The jathedar stated that Punjab is the land sanctified by the Sikh Gurus, and seeds of hatred must not be sown here. Dhami presented 'siropas' to the kin of Sikh leaders after Ishar Singh and Inderjit Singh, the sons of slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed in Operation Bluestar, had backed Taksal's chief and had announced that they would not accept the 'siropa from the jathedar. Dhumma hailed SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami's role in this mutual understanding. On Friday, Dhumma reached the Takht with supporters, including armed nihangs. SGPC staff insisted only he enter the Takht building but allowed a few armed supporters along with him after an argument. The SGPC staff and Punjab Police personnel in plainclothes were on their toes to ensure order in the Golden Temple complex. SGPC employees escorted Giani Gargaj, who wore a black turban in protest of the army action, to the Takht, where Dhumma was made to sit in front of him. Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, who had backed Giani Gargaj, alleged that 'conservative forces' did not let Singh Sahib (acting jathedar) deliver his 'sandesh' properly and give siropa to kin of slain leaders. 'Causing disruption in the proceedings of Akal Takht is against the maryada and we condemn it', he added. Sarbat Khalsa-appointed acting parallel jathedar of Akal Takht Dhian Singh Mand also issued a separate 'sandesh' advocating unity in panth and burying the hatchets. The entire periphery of the Golden Temple near Akal Takht echoed with pro-Khalistan slogans raised by activists of different bodies including Dal Khalsa, SAD (A) and Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwale). Scuffles broke out between SGPC staff and young nihangs after the latter were not allowed to enter the Akal Takht. An angry young nihang attempted to hit an SGPC staffer with his dagger after the event in the shrine complex but was overpowered by the staff and locked in a room with the help of cops in plain cloth. A big function was also organised at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash, headquarters of Damdami Taksal at village Chowk Mehta in Amritsar district. Complete bandh observed in Amritsar On the call of radical organisations, a complete bandh was observed on Friday with almost all the commercial outlets, shops, showrooms, and shopping malls remaining closed. Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar, IDH market, Lawrance Road, Ranjit Avenue markets and all other main commercial hubs wore deserted look and the cops kept a tight vigil to prevent any untoward incident. Services, including transport, were hit, while health services remained normal. Most of the residents preferred to stay at home. Banks and educational institutes also remained closed. However, health services remained normal.
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Op Bluestar anniversary: Jathedar skips ‘sandesh' amid opposition from radicals
The 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar was observed peacefully at Golden Temple in Amritsar amid tight security on Friday, while the Akal Takht acting jathedar did not directly deliver the traditional 'sandesh (message)' to Sikhs for the first time since 1999 though he raised issues concerning the community in the 'ardas (prayer)'. To avoid a confrontation with Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma and other radical leaders who had opposed his recent appointment as officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj performed the 'ardas', seeking the release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners in jails even after completion of their terms); the unity of the Panth; and a prayer for Punjab not becoming a battleground in the India-Pakistan conflict. Interacting with the media at the Takht secretariat later, Giani Gargaj said, 'The sandesh was in the ardas.' Dhumma and other Sikh radical outfit leaders had opposed Gargaj's appointment as officiating jathedar, citing violation of 'maryada and Panthic traditions'. This was for the first time since 1999 that the jathedar neither delivered the address from Akal Takht nor did he felicitate Sikh families who lost their near and dear ones in the army operation to flush out militants from the Golden Temple in June 1984. Following damage to the Akal Takht building in Operation Bluestar, a new structure was built in 1998 and in 1999, radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa started observing the June 6 anniversary. On Friday, Dhumma reached the Takht with supporters, including armed nihangs. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) staff insisted only he enter the Takht building but allowed a few supporters in along with him after an argument. The SGPC staff and Punjab Police personnel in plainclothes were on their toes to ensure order in the Golden Temple complex. SGPC employees escorted Giani Gargaj to the Takht, where Dhumma was made to sit in front of him. In a surprise move, Giani Gargaj led the prayers at the end of which he raised issues concerning the Sikh community. Since Ishar Singh and Inderjit Singh, the sons of militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who was killed in Operation Bluestar, had backed Dhumma by announcing that they would not accept the 'siropa (robe of honour)' from Giani Gargaj, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami honoured family members of Sikh leaders who died in the army action in 1984. The entire periphery of Golden Temple near Akal Takht echoed with pro-Khalistan slogans raised by activists of the Dal Khalsa, former MP Simranjit Singh Mann-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), his associate and former MP Dhian Singh Mand, who was appointed acting jathedar at the 2015 Sarbat Khalsa. Mand issued a separate 'sandesh'. Meanwhile, a bandh was observed in key markets of Amritsar on a call given by the Dal Khalsa. Shops and offices were closed in Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar, Lawrence Road and Ranjit Avenue. Traffic was thin amid tight security.
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Op Bluestar anniv: Jathedar to deliver ‘sandesh' amid opposition by Taksal
With preparations underway for the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar — military operation carried out in June 1984 to flush out militants from the Golden Temple — tensions have escalated over Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj traditional 'sandesh' (message) from the highest seat of Sikh temporal authority amid opposition by Damdami Taksal. The controversy started after Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma announced his group would not permit the jathedar to deliver the message, citing that Giani Gargaj did not assume his position according to Sikh 'maryada' (religious code) and lacks community acceptance. In a bid to defuse the situation, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami visited the Taksal headquarters on June 3 to hold talks with Dhumma. Dhami, who is reportedly close to the Taksal leadership, is working to prevent any confrontation at the Akal Takht during the sensitive event. Despite the meeting, the deadlock remains Thursday, Dhumma reiterated his stance in a Facebook post, warning that if Giani Gargaj attempts to deliver the 'sandesh' or honour families of those killed during Operation Bluestar, his group would stage a protest. Dhumma also denied reports of a closed-door meeting with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)president Sukhbir Singh Badal. People familiar with the matter indicate that Giani Gargaj is determined to proceed with the traditional address, while the SGPC president is urging restraint to ensure the event passes off situation is further complicated by the involvement of Simranjit Singh Mann, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), who has opposed Dhumma'scall for disruption and appealed for calm. Some SAD leaders have also advised against the jathedar delivering the message under the current circumstances. However,speaking to the media on Wednesday, Giani Gargaj signalled that the ritual of'sandesh' delivery would continue and predicted that this year's event would be more peaceful than previous ones. To avoid further provocation, the jathedar may forgo the customary honouring the families of Operation Bluestar victims with'siropas' (robe of honour), said people familiar with the developments. Ishar Singh and Inderjit Singh, sons of slainmilitant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, have rejected any honour from Giani Gargaj and aligned themselves with Dhumma's stance. In response, Giani Gargaj said: 'If they don't want to accept siropa from me, I respect them because they are progeny of the great martyr.' Radicals take out march On the eve of the Operation Bluestar anniversary,the Dal Khalsa and its allies, including Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and Panth Sewak Jatha, took out a march in Amritsar and raised slogans. Starting from Burj Akali Phoola Singh, the march reached Golden Temple, where 'ardas'was performed at the Akal Takht.
New Indian Express
04-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Tension prevails over likelihood of protest if Akal Takht officiates Gargaj to address Sikh community ahead of Op Blue Star anniversary
CHANDIGARH: As the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star approaches on June 6 (Friday), the situation remains tense due to the possibility of the protest at the Akal Takht (Highest Temporal seat of Sikhs). The officiating Jathedar (High Priest) Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj is likely to address the sikh community on the anniversary. The Sikh hardliner group Damdami Taksal's chief, Harnam Singh Dhumma, has demanded that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) should stop Gargaj from doing so, as he has not been accepted by the Sikh community as the Jathedar. Also, Nihang announced that they will not allow it to happen. Thus, SGPC is worried as it may be challenging to maintain peace during the commemoration. Meanwhile, SGPC is trying to strike a compromise to defuse the issue. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami had recently visited the headquarters of Taksal at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash at Chowk Mehta village. A meeting that lasted for over one and a half hours to strike a compromise, assured that the issue would be resolved before the event. Hoping for an amicable solution, Dhami said that a meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. Meanwhile, Takshal's chief Dhumma does not want Gargaj to deliver the customary speech on June 6, as various Sikh bodies have not approved his appointment. "SGPC has never indulged in confrontation with Damdami Taksal. I hope an amicable solution will be worked out before the anniversary,'' he said. Dhumma, who is now close to the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) following his support to the saffron party's Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra last November, has been reiterating that if Gargaj addresses the gathering, it will vitiate the atmosphere. He added that they do not want any clash during the event and are fully ready to cooperate with the SGPC. However, he said that they have been appealing that SGPC should appoint a Jathedar who is approved by the community and highlighted that the Gargaj is not approved by everyone. "If a conflicting situation arises on that occasion, the responsibility will lie with the president of the SGPC,' he asserted.
