Commemorating the memory of the martyrs of the army attack on Darbar Sahib in June 1984, the activists of the organization undertook ‘Genocide Remembrance Parade’ in the holy city of Amritsar on June 3- the day Indian army launched the attack code named “Operation Blue Star” 25 years ago.

The march started from organizations office and concluded at Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) where Ardas (Prayer) was performed to pay homage to all those who laid down their lives while defending the sanctity of the shrine.

Scores of activists were carrying placards and signboards such as “Cruel hands of India”, “Never forget 1984”, “India should bow its head in shame” and “Death of Indian secularism” along with the photographs of damaged Akal Takht Sahib.

Large number of young boys and girls of the ‘Sikh Youth of Punjab’ led by its president Ranbir Singh were leading the procession wearing black T-shirts depicting photographs of Sant Bhindrawale and carrying black flags- a sign of protest. Family members of the martyrs also took part of the procession.

During the March slogans eulogizing the sacrifices of Sant Jarnail Singh and other martyrs were raised.
 

Shortly before the start of the March, the president Harchranjit Singh Dhami while responding to the queries of the media said it was important to enact a law to prevent such events from recurring. Stray apologies by Prime Minister or Congress president means nothing, Dhami added

Commenting on the overwhelming support given by people of Punjab to Congress as the latter played a ‘Sikh card’ by projecting Dr Manmohan Singh as its mask, he said it should not be construed as ‘healing of wounds’. He said Sikhs supported Dr Manmohan Singh out of emotions and because of their dislike for the BJP in general and L K Advani in particular.

He repeated the words of famous columnist Kuldip Nayar to then Prime Minister’s PA Dhawan that “by attacking Sikhs’ Vatican, the government has laid the foundation of Khalistan”. He said even Sant Jarnail Singh used to say that “with the attack on Darbar Sahib, the foundation stone for independent state would be laid”.

Reiterating their party commitment for the cause he said the sentiments of sovereignty have not been buried with the passage of time and change in political scenario. There may not be any public manifestation of such sentiments but all Sikhs desire to be self-ruler.

Party spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh said the Indian state has attacked our holiest shrine, ruining our pride and honour, killing and incarcerating thousands, but the irony of it all is that “India is a great secular nation” and Sikhs are being portrayed as “terrorists”.

Condemning the 1984 events, the Damdami Taksal head Baba Harnam Singh and KAC chairman Bhai Mohkam Singh said that the future of minorities in the country was at stake as the state machinery continues the practice of favouring the majority community.

Upset with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for doing nothing to set up a memorial to those who lost their lives inside the shrine complex during army attack in June 1984, he said the community needs to pass on the memories, or it would be condemned to live with the corpses of memories. In order to rebut the moves of those Sikhs who in connivance with the Indian union were attempting to erase this period from public memory, he said the memorial was need of the hour.

Representatives of Panthic bodies led by Dal Khalsa and Damdami Taksal leadership submitted a memorandum to SGPC criticizing successive presidents for failing to build a memorial. SGPC executive member Karnail Singh Panjoli and secretary Dalmeg Singh received the memo on behalf of the president Jathedar Avtar Singh.

Prominent amongst those who participated in the March includes Akhand Kirtani jatha head Gaini Baldev Singh, Former jathedar of the Akal Takht Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal, Akal federation chairman Naraien Singh, human rights activist Parmjit Kaur Khalra, leader of SAD (Panch Pardani) Harpal Singh Cheema, Kanwar Singh Dhami from Gurasra Trust and Sandeep Kaur.