Back39 years of Operation Bluestar: Pro-Khalistan slogans at the Golden Temple, security beefed up
To observe the 39th anniversary of the Operation Bluestar, Akhand Path, which is the uninterrupted recitation of Guru Granth Sahib is being organised at Akal Takht, Golden Temple. Several groups have called in for rallies and parades on the day amid tightened security
PremiumAmid tightened security across Punjab, rallies, programs, and several other events, will mark the 39th anniversary of Operation Bluestar on Tuesday. To mark the day, ‘Akhand Path’ (uninterrupted recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) is also being done at Akal Takht, Golden Temple from Sunday.
The day marks the week-long operation of the Indian Armed forces between 1-10 June 1984, to remove Damdami Taksal leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers from buildings of the Golden Temple. The temple is the holiest site of Sikhism in India. However, the operation left a large part of the Sikh holy site severely damaged.
To observe the day, Dal Khalsa (radical Sikh outfit) on Monday, took out a ‘remembrance’ parade carrying Khalistani flags, and photographs of damaged Akal Takht and Sikh fighters.
Pro-Khalistan slogans outside Golden temple
On the occasion of 39th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, religious extremist groups gathered near the Golden temple, and chanted pro-Khalistani slogans on Tuesday. While chanting the slogans, people were seen holding placards with images of Army General Shabeg Singh, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and other extremist leaders.
To avoid any untoward incident on the day, security was tightened across the state even a week before the anniversary. The state police carried out flag marches and deployed a high number of security personnel at crucial places in Amritsar.
Security was beefed up across Punjab on Thursday with the state police carrying out flag marches and deploying a high number of security personnel at crucial places ahead of Operation Bluestar's anniversary on June 6.
“The Punjab Police will ensure peaceful observance of the Operation Bluestar anniversary for which foolproof arrangements are in place and adequate security has been deployed across the state," the Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. said.
Bluestar Anniversary: Failed attempts to settle 39 year-old ₹1,000-crore damage suit
Even after three decades after the incident, the central government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) are still at loggerheads over the damage caused by Operation Bluestar inside the Golden Temple. The building of the Akal Takht was partially demolished during the operation.
Lately, the two sides have begun an out-of-court settlement to resolve the dispute, reported Hindustan Times. The issue was discussed between the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and an SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami-led delegation on June 3.
The delegation involved in the mediation included two lawyers. One was advocate APS Ahluwalia, the counsel of SGPC in the case pending in the Delhi high court. The case is about ₹1,000 crore damage suit filed by the SGPC under its then president late Gurcharan Singh Tohra in the Delhi HC in March 1985.
In its fresh directions, the court has asked both parties to resolve the issue through talks. Many of the witnesses in the case have died as it's more than 38 years since the case was filed, HT quoted Harjinder Singh Dhami.
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