With one day to go for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 results, the Akal Takht Jathedar has issued a serious warning to the candidates. In his message, Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghubir Singh asked the candidates not to celebrate even after winning the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Lok Sabha Elections 2024 results will be declared on June 4, 2024. Giani Raghubir Singh forbade the candidates to do so reminding them June 4 is the anniversary of Operation Blue Star observed at the Golden Temple.
Giving a condolence message, Giani Raghubir Singh reportedly said, "After the results of the Lok Sabha elections on June 4, the winning candidates should not celebrate by playing drums or using speakers, keeping in mind the sentiments of the Sikhs towards these days during the Ghallughara martyrdom week of June 1984. Do pay obeisance to the Guru and thank Guru Sahib."
For the unversed, the Jathedar has the de facto power as the supreme spokesperson of the Khalsa to summon, trial, and sentence any person who identifies as a Sikh from the Akal Takht. The current jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh was appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on 22 June 2023.
Operation Bluestar Anniversary
Operation Bluestar took place in June 1984, and it is one of the most significant parts of Indian history. Operation Bluestar refers to the military operation ordered by the Indian government to remove Sikh militants who had fortified themselves inside the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. The operation resulted in a violent confrontation between the Indian Army and the militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
The Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine was significantly damaged during the operation, and casualties were reported on both sides. Bhindranwale died in the operation on June 6, 1984. The assault on the holiest shrine of the Sikhs triggered a chain of bloody events including the assassination of India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and unprecedented organised violence against members of the community in Delhi and other places.