Amid tight security and COVID-19 fears, the anniversary of Operation Blue Star was observed as largely peaceful at the Golden Temple complex on Saturday. However, a few conflicts between activists of certain Sikh organisations have held with the police to gain entry into the complex.
Today, the 'Prakash Purab' of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, was also observed.
A religious congregation was held in which kirtan/hymns were recited and bhog of Akhand Path, dedicated to the occasion, was also performed. Due to pandemic fear and tight security, the presence of devotees was meagre.
A majority of people in the gathering were SGPC employees and police in plainclothes.
Later, Sri Akal Takht Sahib officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh addressed the audience from the podium of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He said, considering the social distancing norms, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) and Damdami Taksal had decided to commemorate the anniversary with 'Maryada' and in a low-key manner. We have appealed the devotees to recite Gurbani and perform ardas at homes only.
During a press conference, Giani Harpreet Singh was asked about the pro-Khalistan slogans raised by some Sikh youths on which he reacted that if they were intentionally raised to interrupt the programme then it was not right.
"But, if the Sikh youths raised the slogans after the event, I don't disapprove of it, as it was a natural outcome of their religious sentiments as they remembered the martyrs who laid their lives for the Panth. The abhorrent attack on the Golden Temple can never be forgotten by the Sikhs and will always be commemorated," he said.
Reacting to the question asked by a media person, Singh said if the government decides to give us the Khalistan we will accept it as it has been our outstanding demand. Adding to it, Singh Sahib said we will rule better than the government if Khalistan comes to us.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal, who was present during the media interaction, endorsed the Jathedar's stance, saying “if the government offers it, it will be acceptable to us”.
Giani Harpreet Singh said the Operation Bluestar ought to be scripted and compiled in full-fledged documentation having eyewitness accounts of the Army attack. He asked SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal, who was also present, to constitute a panel of intellectuals and put on record the statements and interviews of those who bore the brunt of the attack. “This document should be published in multiple languages and widely distributed,” he said.
Amritsar was virtually turned into a fortress for the event. Even the media were not allowed inside the complex.
During the function, which was held amid heavy rain, the Jathedar delivered his address and pointed out to police restrictions for devotees at the Golden Temple. “Sikhs lack unity. This is the why there are these restrictions,” he said.
Taking into account the history of the anniversary, Punjab Police, paramilitary forces and intelligence personnel were positioned at 65 sensitive places across the city, particularly in the congested walled city area leading to the shrine. The police had invoked Section 144 around the shrine and carrying of weapons was prohibited.
For the first time, metal detectors were placed at the entrances to the shrine. Health teams were deployed to screen the devotees. Around 5,000 police personnel from the neighbouring districts were also deployed.
Earlier, Emaan Singh Mann, member of SAD was seen arguing with the police saying they were being denied the right to pay obeisance at the shrine. He claimed that the police had already detained their members from Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur and Kapurthala to discourage them from coming to the shrine. They were allowed in after they staged a protest.
The ‘parallel’ officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht Dhyan Singh Mand with his supporters also reached the complex. They also gained entry after heated exchanges with the police. Mand also addressed the audience from the verandah of the Akal Takht secretariat.
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