SGPC opens 1984 ‘Shaheedi Gallery’ in Golden Temple

In a statement, the SGPC said that the gallery was meant to document the “Sikhs martyred during the military attack on Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the central Sikh shrines, by the then Congress government”.

There is already a memorial for the same purpose in the form of a gurdwara inside the premises of Harmandir Sahib.

“This Shaheedi Gallery has been dedicated to Shaheed Bhai Amrik Singh, then president of All India Sikh Student Federation, Shaheed Bhai Shabeg Singh, and Shaheed Baba Thara Singh,” said Dhami during the inauguration.

On the occasion, Harnam Singh Khalsa, head of Damdami Taksal, said, “The photos of Saint Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, his companions, other Sikh men and women, who laid down their life for the protection of religion during the Operation Blue Star, have been installed in the gallery.”

In a statement, the SGPC said that the gallery was meant to document the “Sikhs martyred during the military attack on Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the central Sikh shrines, by the then Congress government”. (Express Photo)

Damdami Taksal could gather more than 700 names of Sikh militants and devotees killed during Operation Blue Star. So far, 396 pictures have been installed in the gallery, the statement said.

Dhami said, “In this martyrdom gallery, a model of the damaged building of Sri Akal Takht Sahib during Operation Blue Star in June 1984 has also been installed. A special arrangement has also been made to show a documentary describing its history in digital form.”

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh said, “This gallery is a memorial for those martyred in June 1984. This memorial will give information to the future generation about the massacre. The sangat will gain the community’s spirit from here.”

A picture of retired honorary Captain of Indian Army Hem Singh is also installed in the gallery. He had gone to pay obeisance at the Harmandir Sahib on June 1, but he never returned home. His body was also not found.

“My father had fought three wars for the country in 1962, 1965 and 1971. He retired in 1976. He used to go to Harmandir Sahib regularly. He was caught in the crossfire during Operation Blue Star. We didn’t get his body. Later the then government informed us about his death. His pension copy was found on the premises which was handed over to us. It was the evidence of his death on the premises,” said Amarjit Kaur, daughter of Hem Singh.

“We have decided to install pictures of all those who died on the premises of Harmandir Sahib. There are pictures of Sikh fighters and also that of common devotees. It was during our research for the gallery we came to know that Hem Singh was also present inside the premises and was killed there. So, we also installed his picture in the gallery,” said Sahib Singh from Damdami Taksal.

Hem Singh belonged to a Sikh family from Brahmpura village in Tarn Taran district.

“My father had cut his hair when he was asked to join a spy operation in Pakistan. He never grew his hair after he retired,” said Amarjit Kaur.