In its report submitted to SGPC two weeks ago the committee is said to have proposed that memorial would be build between Shri Akal Takhat Sahib and the Nishan Sahib of Miri-Piri in front of Darshani Deodi of golden temple.

The committee proposed that a small room would be constructed and to would write the history of Bluestar and the names of those who have killed in the action should be engraved on the black marble which has to be affixed around it. Regarding content to be written on it would be decided later, the report said.

Bunga Maharaja Sher Singh - De facto Memorial of Ghallughara June 1984

Right Side of Bunga Maharaja Sher Singh is recently repaired by SGPC

It is notable that Bunga of Maharaja Sher Singh situated on right side of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib was initially preserved as de-facto memorial of the attack which is considered to be begining of “Third Ghallughara” of Sikh History, but SGPC never notified it as so. It was decided that the bunga would be kept as it is, as there are numerous bullets marks on it, but recently the SGPC has repaired one of its’ sides. So, alternative memorial may lead to dstruction of de-facto memorial.

Historical Palki Darwaja at the top of Bunga Maharaja Sher Singh which bears numerous bullet marks of 1984

Notably, the chief of Damdami Taksal Baba Harnam Singh dhuma, who has joined the Badal’s ranks before SGPC election 2011 and was also a member of the sub-committee, want to steal the credit for the construction of alternative memorial.

“One of the committee members on condition of anonymity has confirmed that they have submitted the report to the SGPC and said that now it was SGPC to take final call on it” says a news report by Senior Jounalist, Gagandeep Ahuja of Patiala.

The SGPC executive committee had passed a resolution to this effect twice – first on February, 20, 2002 and then three years later on May 27, 2005. However, the issue was put on the backburner under political considerations. Irked by the ‘dilly-dallying tactics’ of the SGPC, the Dal Khalsa, in June 2010, organised a three-day hunger strike, to press the then SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar to honour its commitment and in June 2011 Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani), led by Bhai Daljeet Singh Bittu (Currently confined in Amritsar Jail due to political reason) along with other Sikh organizations raised the issue to press SGPC to recognize and maintain the concerned memorial.

Succumbing under pressure, the SGPC, on June 8 this year, announced the setting up of a five-member panel, which was assigned the task to decide the location and design of the memorial within two months of its inception.

The members of the committee included Sant Samaj Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma, vice-chancellor of Punjabi University Dr Jaspal Singh, educationist Prof. Prithipal Singh Kapur, Raghujit Singh Virk (Sr. Vice president of SGPC) and Rajinder Singh Mehta (member SGPC).

The committee had given the advertisement in newspapers and invited and received suggestions from the Sikh nation pertaining to the proposed memorial, a member said.

“Meanwhile sources said that SAD wanted to delay the matter till assembly elections and has asked SGPC to go slow on it” adds, report by Gagandeep Ahuja. He further adds: “Political observers feel that since the Assembly elections are nearing, the SAD leadership would weigh whether the issue would be of any (political) help to them and only then will they decide to move ahead with the plan”.

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“The heavy deployment of civilian clothes-clad security personnel within the “parkarma” (path for circumambulation) notwithstanding, protesters vented their anger against Mr. Advani, who was accompanied by his wife Kamala and daughter Pratibha, for his controversial comments in support of “Operation Blue Star” in his book,My Country My Life”, The Hindu report adds.

Media report adds that some activists of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann led by their president Simranjit Singh Mann raised slogans against Mr. Advani and in favor of independent and Sovereign Sikh State called Khalistan at various places in parkarma, near the Akal Takht and outside the complex.

SGPC, which is controlled by SAD (Badal) presented robe of honor to Advani. This move was sharply criticized by various Sikh organization.

It is further reported that LK Advani avoided any comment on queries posed by reporters on his claims and views about attack on Darbar Sahib. Similarly SGPC officials also remained tight lipped.

SAD (Badal) or Badal Dal has totally aligned with Hindutva forces and the Indian state against Sikh cause.

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A Shaheedi Samagam would be held at Village Gadhli, near Jandiala Guru, in Amritsar district of Punjab, tomorrow to remember these two great souls, who happily accepted the death sentence pronounced by an Indian court, back in 1992.

Two great souls: Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha and Bhai Harjinder Singh Jinda

Duo, commonly known as Sukha-Jinda, brought Indian Army’s former chief, Arun Vaidya, to justice for atrocities committed against the Sikh nation. Bhai Sukha-Jinda, shot a letter to then Indian President from Yerwada Jail, Pune and made it clear that they had no personal clash with Arun Vaidya, but they punished him for his crimes. They said that they were aware that no court is going to bring him to justice, therefore they followed the precedence sent by their forefathers in Sikh history. Vaidya was heading the Indian Army during armed attack on Darbar Sahib, Sri Amritsar (holy Sikh Shrine, commonly called the Golden Temple of Amritsar) in June 1984. Thousands of innocent Sikh pilgrims were brutally massacre by Indian Army during three days in invasion. Army used artillery, tanks, stun bombs, and dangerous gas bombs during the attack against Sikhs, and physical structure of Sri Akal Takhat, was badly damaged. Army also burnt the Sikh Reference Library and looted the historical articles from Tosha Khana.

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The SGPC web site (sgpc.net) has specifically requested Panthic organisations abroad to respond in writing by 28 July 2011.

The letter sent by Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), dated 27 July requests the memorial to be:

i) a constant reminder of the Indian army assault on the Akaal Takht in June 1984;

ii) built in a prominent position next to the Akaal Takht

iii) built by a specified target date i.e. June 2012 as the memorial is long overdue; and above all else

iii) reflect the words of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, namely:

“Let it be known, when the Indian Army sets foot into the Golden Temple Complex, the foundation stone of Khalistan will be laid.”

The Federation states it has also had many requests from Sikh Gurdwaras, organisations and individual Sikhs across Europe to respond to the SGPC on their behalf along these lines. It has also liaised with Sikhs in Canada and the USA.

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As per media reports, now, the panthic organisations have called upon Sikhs to come together after August 8 to raise the memorial. It has also formed a four-member Saka Darbar Sahib Memorial Committee, which will prepare a comprehensive memorial monument proposal to assist the SGPC panel. The panel will submit an interim report on August 2 to the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib.

The decision was announced in a press conference called by the four panthic organisation — Dal Khalsa, Khalsa Action Committee led by Bhai Mohkam Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardani) led by Harpal Singh Cheema and Panthic Sewa Lehar headed by Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal.

“The SGPC do not seem serious about the issue. It has been delayed for long,” claimed Panthic leaders.

“To inform and assist the SGPC regarding the scope and possibilities of the memorial, the panel has been formed. Former IAS Gurtej Singh, contemporary author and analyst Ajmer Singh, former bureaucrat A R Darshi, human rights activist Professor Jagmohan Singh are the panel members,” said Kanwarpal Singh of Dal Khalsa and Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema of Panch Pardhani, adding that the panel will seek advice from the masses.

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A part of Sikh gathering during Freedom Rally at Trafalgar Square

London (June 05, 2011): About 25,000 Sikhs from across the UK attended a rally in Trafalgar Square to mark an attack on their holiest shrine in India, organisers have said. Earlier Sikhs marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square to commemorate the 1984 attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, north India. Indian armed forces stormed the holiest Sikh shrine 27 years ago.

Sikh leaders called for the right to self-determination at the rally. The Sikh Federation UK, which organised the event, said people travelled to London in coaches to attend the Freedom Rally at Trafalgar Square.

Delegations also came from Europe for the event. Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes spoke at the rally alongside leaders and prominent personalities from the Sikh people in the UK, Europe and India. The 1984 attack on the Darbar Sahib complex – Operation Bluestar – had been personally approved by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was assassinated four months later by two Sikhs; Satwant Singh and Beant Singh. Following her death anti-Sikh violance was organized by the ruling regime of India, the Congress Party, in which appx. ten thusand Sikhs were massacred.

Events are also being held in Vancouver in Canada and in California to mark the 27th anniversary of the attack.

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A view of Meeting held at Gurudwara Sahib, Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Jalandhar

Jalandhar (May 27, 2011): Various Sikh groups today joined hands to hand over ultimatum to SGPC to lay down the foundation stone of June 1984 memorial before June 6 lest the Sikh Sangat would do so on its own and the date for the same would be announced on 6th at Akal Takht.

At a marathon meeting of representatives of SAD (Panch Pardani), Dal Khalsa, Khalsa Action Committee, Panthic Sewa lehar, Khalsa Panchayat, AISSF, Sikh Students Federation headed by Parmjeet Singh Gazi and Sikh Youth of Punjab, it has been resolved that Sikh bodies would take the issue of memorial to its logical conclusion.

Castigating the SGPC for not fulfilling its promise made twice before the Panth first in 2002 and then 2005, the speakers took Avtar Singh Makkar to task. They were of the view that SGPC has buckled under pressure from New Delhi and had taken U-turn on the issue.

In an aggressive tone and tenor Harpal Singh Cheema, Kanwar Pal Singh, Mohkam Singh, Baba Baljit Singh, Karnail Singh Peermohammad and Rajinder Singh said in case SGPC fails to declare the date of laying down of foundation stone of Memorial and opening of Shaheedi Gallery before June 6, the Sikh Sangat would gather at Akal Takht on same day to declare its own programme.

Notably, on June 6 that marks the anniversary of Operation Bluestar a function to pay tributes to martyrs is organized every year by SGPC in which large number of devotees take part. This time it is going to be a stormy affair as radical bodies have flexed their muscles to take on the SGPC for failing to implement its own resolution passed in 2002 and 2005 on the issue.

On the rejection of mercy petition by President of Prof Devinder pal Singh Bhullar who is on death row, the Sikh bodies termed it reflection of anti-Sikh mindset of New Delhi. Strongly condemning the rejection, the resolution adopted today states: “The biased and indifferent attitude and approach of Indian government still persists. Sikh are at receiving end. A clarion call to Sikhs were given to get united against the state’s tyranny”.

Paramjit Singh Gazi, Dr Manjinder Singh, Satnam Singh, Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjpur, Sarbjit Singh Sohal. Baba Ajit Singh Lohgarh, Mandhir Singh and others also spoke.

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The memorandum has been submitted to Doctor Daljit Singh Cheema advisor to CM Badal and to several other prominent members of Punjab Vidha Sabha. The memorandum from the AISSF and SFJ demands:

(1) Declaring June 06 as state Holiday to commemorate June 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib; destruction of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and Children by the Indian Army.

(2) Recognizing massacre of Sikhs in June 1984 as “genocide” and ask the Government to issue an official notification of the same.

(3) Asking for raising a memorial in the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex in the memory those who were killed during June 1984 attack by the Indian Army.

According to Karnail Singh Peermohammad, President AISSF, June 1984 attack, destruction and desecration of Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib has become an essential and integral part of the collective memory of the Sikh Nation and the wounds caused by the killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and children in June 1984 by Indian Army are still bleeding. Declaring June 06 as state Holiday is a demand of the Sikh community which has been ignored for too long, added Peermohammad. If by May 31, 2011, June 06 is not declared a State Holdiay, AISSF will give a call for Punjab Bandh for June 06, stated Peermohammad.

Attorney Gurpatwant S. Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ stated that now that Sikh genocide issue is being discussed in the parliaments of the foreign nations, it becomes imperative that Government of Punjab which is homeland of Sikhs must step forward and declare June 06, as State holiday because that is when the organized genocide of Sikhs started in India.

Here is copy of Memorandum submitted to CM, Punjab by SFJ and AISSF:

To: Parkash Singh Badal Chief Minister, State of Punjab

Copy to: All members of Punjab Vidhan Sabha

Sub: Declare June 06 as State Holidayto commemorate June 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib; destruction of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and children by the Indian Army

Date: May 16, 2011

All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) is a registered organization committed to work for the betterment of Sikh community, promoting the values of Sikhism and to raise voice on the issues concerning the Sikh community.

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is a human rights organization, believes and adheres to Universal Declaration of Human Rights. SFJ endeavors to create an environment in which minorities – regardless of race, religion, language, gender, or ethnicity – can freely exercise their right to “self determination” as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. SFJ is also striving to collect and disseminate information, statistics, figures and data regarding the Genocide of Sikhs (1984-1998) that took place in India.

Whereas it is a historical fact that in June 1984 on the orders of Central Government of India, Indian Army attacked Sri Harmandir Sahib; destroyed; desecrated Sri Akal Takht Sahib and killed thousands of Sikh men, women and children who had gathered to commemorate martyrdom of 5th Guru Sri Arjun Dev Ji.

Whereas it is undisputed fact that to maximize the suffering of Sikhs, June 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib was deliberately planned to coincide with Shaheedi Diwas, a day on which Sri Harmandir Sahib is most visited, most crowded and most occupied by Sikh pilgrims who had gathered to commemorate martyrdom of 5th Guru Sri Arjun Dev Ji.

Whereas June 1984 attack, destruction and desecration of Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib has become an essential and integral part of the collective memory of the Sikh Nation and the wounds caused by the killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and children in June 1984 by Indian Army are still bleeding.

Whereas members of Sikh nation from around the world unanimously condemn June 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib; destruction of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and Children by the Indian Army and demand that Punjab Vidhan Sabha should pass a resolution.

(1) Declaring June 06 as state Holiday to commemorate June 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib; destruction of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and killing of thousands of Sikh men, women and Children by the Indian Army. (2) Recognizing massacre of Sikhs in June 1984 as “genocide” and ask the Government to issue an official notification of the same. (3) Asking for raising a memorial in the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex in the memory those who were killed during June 1984 attack by the Indian Army.

From:

Karnail Singh Peermohammad President, All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)

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Irked over the dilly-dallying approach of the SGPC to raise a memorial of Sikh martyrs of 1984 army operation, the Dal Khalsa activists sat on a hunger strike for 72 hours last year outside the offices of the SGPC within Darbar Sahib Complex. Come June, they remind SGPC leadership for not ‘honouring’ its promise made on 20 Feb 2002.

It’s noteworthy that SGPC has twice committed itself first in 2002 and then in 2005 to build memorial but both the time its leadership backtracked at last moment preferably under pressure from New Delhi.

In an attempt to impress upon the SGPC to fulfill its promise, the youth brigade of the organization led by Sarbjit Singh and Ranbir Singh along launched a “poster war”. Members of Sikh Youth of Punjab too participated in the campaign started from Darbar Sahib.

The group activists today distributed pamphlets and posters in the city putting the SGPC leadership in an embarrassing position. In a poster, the Dal Khalsa has posed certain questions to the present incumbent Avtar Singh Makkar.

In its first question, the group has asked the Sikhs to study the reasons as to why the SGPC took U-turns on the sensitive issues time and again. The second question relates to the dilly-dallying tactics of the SGPC. It has also posed a question as to why the SGPC has made its position ridiculous on the issue of memorial for June 84.

The posters also criticized the ongoing dead-lock among the Sikh high priests and SGPC leadership. The Dal Khalsa asked, “Who is responsible for the delay and why is Sikh religious leadership scared of giving due status to martyrs?”

In a new development, the Dal Khalsa asked Sikh Sangat to give their opinion by May 26 as to what next should be done to awaken the SGPC out of slumber. Narrating the timeline of holding marches and organizing sit-in and fast, the poster asked Sikhs in general to give suggestion what more we could do.

Mr Kanwarpal Singh, spokesman of the organization, said the posters were being dispatched to various Sikh Gurdwaras for creating awareness among the masses on the issue.

He informed the media that representatives of like-minded parties would be meeting on May 27th in Amritsar to give finalize the next course of action. He said the decision to this effect was passed at a meeting held at party office in which Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal, SAD (Panch Pardani) leader Harpal Singh Cheema, KAC chairman Mohkam Singh and Dal Khalsa head Harchranjit Singh Dhami were present.

Kanwar Pal Singh said invitation to various factions of Federation, Akali Dal, Damdami Taksal and Akand Kirtani Jatha for the meeting would be extended so as to build consensus within the Sikh Panth.

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“We have also forwarded the copies of the memorandum to Avtar Singh Makkar, President of SGPC and Sukhbir Singh Badal, President of SAD (Badal). In case they fail to take appropriate action, we would launch a joint struggle in association with Panthic organizations and Martyrs’ families” informed Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema, Secretary General of Panch Pardhani.

“It is unfortunate that even after about 27 years the SGPC has failed to built up the memorial” reads the memorandum, in which it has also been claimed that “building the memorials of Sikh martyrs who laid their lives while protecting the sacred precincts from armed aggression was part of Sikh tradition”. References have also been made to the memorials of Baba Deep Singh and Baba Gurbax Singh, both heads of Damdami Taksal, situated with in the precincts of Darbar Sahib. It is further claimed that just like Bada Deep Singh and Baba Gurbax Singh, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, 14th head of Damdami Taksal, laid his life for Darbar Sahib along with “other Sikh warriors”, therefore their memorial should also be built with in the sacred precincts.

Panch Pardhani bitterly leaders criticized SGPC and SAD (Badal) for their ultimate failure to built the memorial since last 27 years. “A resolution was adopted by SGPC on 20 February, 2002 to built the memorial but no action is taken till date” they added, while demanded that responsibility of those responsible for failure should be fixed by Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.

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