The 36th anniversary of operation Blue Star passed peacefully at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, barring pro-Khalistan slogans being raised outside the premises and minor altercations between various Sikh organisation representatives and police as they demanded entry into the premises. The Akal Takht had demanded documentation of the operation by recording the eye witness accounts by a panel of intellectuals saying people should know the Sikh perspective of the incident.
Addressing the media, the officiating Jathedar Ginai (high priest) Harpreet Sing said the Takht had no problem with pro-Khalistan sentiment and slogans as long as they do not disrupt law and order or the ongoing programme. “I don't disapprove it as it was an outburst of their religious sentiments ebbing as we remember the martyrs. We don't demand Khalistan but if ever made, would not shy away from taking it. In fact no Sikh in the entire world would ever deny if it is ever granted,” said Giani Harpreet Singh.
The Takht said that the attack on the Golden Temple would never be forgotten by Sikhs and would always be commemorated to honour martyrs. “We cannot forget the black day and operation Blue Star needs to be scripted and compiled as a full-fledged document describing the event from the perspective of eye witnesses. It is high time that a panel records it from the eyes of those who bore the burnt. It should be translated to all languages and widely distributed so that the true story comes out,” added Singh.
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Though it is a big affair every year, owing to the pandemic crisis, the Akal Takht, SGPC and Damadami Taksal decided to commemorate the anniversary with 'maryada' (restrain). The devotees were asked to pray at homes as 'Prakash Parv' of sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, was also observed on Saturday.
It was a tight security event for the very first time with metal detectors being placed at the shrine entrance and devotees being screened. Media was barred from the premises and 65 areas in Amritsar were declared sensitive. Section 144 was enforced and heavy police deployment was seen across the city. The Golden Temple was fortified.
Entry was allowed to a limited number of people, leading to altercation with the police. Members of various Sikh groups, SAD and the supporters of the 'parallel' officiating Jathedar Dhyan Singh Mand had heated exchanges with the cops. Mand and his supporters were later allowed and he addressed the audience from the verandah of the Takht secretariat.
