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1984 anti-Sikh Riots | Amitabh Bachchan ‘unexonerated’ in eyes of Sikh community: Akal Takht Jathedar

Urges boycott of individuals, Congress leaders linked to 1984

Amitabh BachchanReferring to the recent controversy surrounding Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh touching Bachchan’s feet during a TV show, the Jathedar said that such gestures hurt Sikh sentiments

Actor Amitabh Bachchan remains “unexonerated” in the “eyes of the Sikh conscience” in a matter pertaining to the 1984 ant-Sikh riots, as the allegations made against have never been investigated by the government or its agencies, Akal Takht’s acting Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj Saturday said. stated that Bollywood

“Although Amitabh Bachchan had tried to absolve himself of the allegations by writing a letter to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the testimony of eyewitness Manjit Singh Saini has never been investigated by the government or its agencies. Therefore, in the eyes of the Sikh conscience, Amitabh Bachchan still stands unexonerated,” Jathedar Gargajj said.

Referring to the recent controversy surrounding Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh touching Bachchan’s feet during a TV show, the Jathedar said that such gestures hurt Sikh sentiments. He said that individuals and Congress leaders whose names have been linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots should be socially and morally boycotted by Sikh community. “Associating with them would is akin to rubbing salt on the deep wounds of the Sikh community,” he added.

Paying homage to the victims, he said justice continues to elude the Sikh community. He said that most of those responsible for the killings were never arrested, and several senior Congress leaders remain free even today.

“The 1984 riots is something that Sikhs can neither forget, forgive, nor tolerate. Throughout history, Sikhs have endured many Ghallugharas (holocausts), yet the community continues to remain in Chardi Kala (high spirits). Today, the Sikh community, with its spirit of resilience, is spreading the divine message of Sri Guru Nanak Dev across the world and earning respect through honesty, dedication, and intelligence,” he added.

In 2011, the Akal Takht had stopped Amitabh Bachchan from participating in a function organised by the then SAD-BJP government to inaugurate Virasat-e-Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib. After that, Bachchan had written a letter to the Sri Akal Takht Sahib mentioning that he had not said anything against the community during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He had said he never uttered any wrong words against the community and was not involved in any anti-Sikh activity. The actor had also said that his mother Teji Bachchan was from a Sikh family and and he and his family were fully aware of the Sikh tenets and customs.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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