Giani Harpreet Singh, the chief priest of the Akal Takht (the highest Sikh temporal seat), on Monday called on Sikhs to get arms training as Sikhs were confronting several challenges and efforts were needed to strengthen the religion.
He urged Sikh organizations to encourage training in ‘traditional martial art’ and ‘modern weapons’, especially among the youth.
Mr. Singh exhorted Sikhs to get weapon training while addressing a gathering of Sikh devotees on the 38th anniversary of “Operation Bluestar” on the premises of the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar.
Suppression of Sikhs started from the Indian Independence
The Akal Takht chief said that the oppression of Sikhs started the day India got independence from the British rule on 15 August 1947.
“When India got independence in the year 1947, a policy of suppressing Sikhs was started. In India, policies and attempts to suppress Sikhs economically, socially, politically, and on the religious front were started in 1947 itself, and the outcome of such attempts was seen in the year 1984, with an attack on Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).
“Today, we are confronting several challenges that are weakening us on the religious, social, and economic fronts.”
To weaken us on the religious front, strong publicity of ‘Christianity’ is being carried on in Punjab – it’s a matter of concern for us.
I appeal to all the eminent associated with the Sikh religion, to visit villages, especially the border (India-Pakistan) villages of Punjab, and strengthen the Sikh religion.”
The time has come to step out of AC rooms
The time has come to step out of AC rooms. We need to understand that if we are weak on the religious, economic, and social fronts then politically also we will be weakened and will stay distant from the “Raj’ (rule). It’s very important for us to strengthen ourselves on the religion front,” he said.
Pointing out that the youth were drifting towards drugs and away from education, Mr. Singh urged Sikh organizations to focus on training them in ‘traditional martial arts” forms and also set up “modern weapons training centers.”
“I would ask Sikh organizations if today the need has arisen to establish ‘gatka’ (a style of fighting with wooden sticks) training centers.
Set up modern weapons training centers
Also, there’s no harm in setting up modern weapons training centers such as shooting ranges.
Other people are secretly giving weapons training, but we will not give the training in a clandestine manner, but will openly give such training.
Today, the time has come we should get united and make our youth stay away from drugs and give them training in weapons and also make them strong by reading ‘Gurbani’…,” he said.
It was on June 6, 1984, that the Army stormed the complex of the Golden Temple in Amritsar – Sikhism’s holiest shrine – to flush out extremists led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Most business establishments, shops petrol pumps, and educational institutions were seen closed in the city amid the call given for ‘Amritsar shut-down by radical Sikh outfits to mark the anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar’.
Radical Sikh outfits hold Freedom March in Amritsar
Members associated with radical Sikh outfits and pro-Khalistan groups, including Dal Khalsa, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) among others held, what they termed a ‘freedom march’ in the city on Sunday, a day ahead of the 38th anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar’, even as uneasy calm was palpable among residents, reported the Hindu.
The protesters, including youth and the elderly, carrying ‘Khalistan’ flags and placards, raised slogans in support of independence, demanding a separate state for Sikhs – ‘Khalistan’, as the march started from the Bhai Veer Singh Memorial Hall on Lawrence Road.
They hailed the sacrifice of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and declared to continue their struggle for ‘Khalistan’.
A float with pictures and portraits of damaged ‘Akal Takhat’ and Sikh martyrs was displayed during the march.
Security Forces conduct Flag Marches in Amritsar
Tight security has been provided across the city with regular flag marches being conducted in several parts of the city, besides intense checking being done to maintain law and order.
“We are holding this march to reiterate our commitment to the struggle for independence, and to pay homage to the people who tasted martyrdom during the army attack,” said one of participating members.
Dal Khalsa president Harpal Singh Cheema said they were undertaking a freedom parade to pay homage to Sikh heroes, who fought till their last breath.
“We want to tell the Government of India that we have neither forgotten nor forgiven the perpetrators of the attack,” he said.
“The mission of the martyrs was to liberate Punjab from Indian domination. We are determined to pursue the mission to its logical conclusion using the right to self-determination,” said Mr. Cheema.
It was on June 6, 1984, when the Army stormed the complex of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar – Sikhism’s holiest shrine, to flush out extremists led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
SGPC slams government
Meanwhile, the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) – the body responsible for the management of Gurdwaras – Harjinder Singh condemned the State government for turning Amritsar city into a police cantonment.
“By doing so, the government is creating an atmosphere of fear while this day is very serious and painful for the Sikh Qaum [community].
Every year on Ghallughara Day, the Qaum congregates to commemorate its martyrs and therefore, the government should not present this occasion as fearsome,” said Mr. Harjinder Singh.
The radical Sikh outfits have also called for an ‘Amritsar shutdown’ on June 6 to mark the anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar’. “On June 6, we have given a call for a shutdown in Amritsar.
The shutdown call is for business establishments, traders, banking, petrol pumps, and educational institutions while there would be no stoppage of transportation,” said Kanwar Pal Singh, spokesperson of Dal Khalsa.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday paid obeisance at the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). The Chief Minister later had a meeting with the Jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal seat, Giani Harpreet Singh.