Sikh leaders perform Akhand Path on Blue Star anniversary

Amritsar, June 6 (ANI): Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar and some Sikh leaders gathered at the Akal Takht on Saturday to perform the "Akhand Path bhog" held in remembrance of those who had died during Operation Blue Star in 1984.

The radical leaders, who were raising slogans in favour of Khalistan, were condemned by common devotees, who had arrived there for paying obeisance.

Harnam Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, chief, Damdami Taksal said that Sikhs will never forget attack on the Golden Temple in 1984 by the Indian army.

He reiterated the demand for raising of monuments in the memory of the Sikh martyrs who had died during the operations.

Later talking to mediapersons, Makkar blamed the then Congress Government for ordering military action at the Golden Temple.

"The SGPC would rethink about raising a memorial to Operation Blue Star," he added.

Meanwhile, Sikh Disapora also registered their protest against the Operation Blue Star.

Talking from US to ANI, Dr. Amarjit Singh, a Washington-based radical leader said that hundreds of Sikhs staged candlelight vigil in front of the Indian Consulates in Chicago, San Francisco and New York.

They also staged protest at Otawa in Canada in front of the Indian Consulates.

Manmohan Singh, a Dal Khalsa leader in England, said, "Sikhs would never forget the incident of 1984 when army attack on the Golden Temple and anti-Sikh riots in Delhi."

Sikhs in Europe also demonstrated their protest.

Dr. Pritpal Singh, Convenor, American Gurdwars Parbhadhak Committee (AGPC) said that how could we pardon those who attacked on the Golden Temple.

Today is the 25th anniversary of "Operation Blue Star" marking the Indian Army's storming of the Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his group of armed extremists who had set up their base in the temple complex.

The Akal Takht, the spiritual seat of the Sikhs, was badly damaged during the operations.

Bhindrawale, who had entrenched himself in the complex, was eventually killed along with several other Sikh militants.

Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was gunned down on October 31, 1984 by two of her Sikh bodyguards, in retaliation for that operation. Her assassination led to riots across the country in which Sikhs were violently targeted with tragic consequences. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)