Govt has nothing to do with Bluestar Memorial: Sukhbir

SAD’s alliance partner,BJP,has already opposed the memorial,saying such a move could encourage hardliners in the state. Sukhbir,however,maintained: “The state government was focused on maintaining peace and has already made formulated a development chart for the next five years.”

Later in the evening,when Sukhbir was asked about the same issue in Jalandhar,he evaded reply,saying that his agenda for the forthcoming civic polls was development and he doesn’t want to comment on such issues.

Asked about state Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh flaying the SAD leadership justifying the memorial,Sukhbir ducked the question by saying: “Congress has no other issue. It has been raising the issue of memorials to divert attention,as it has no relevance in MC elections.”

Further prodded about the Akal Takht honouring Beant Singh assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana,Sukhbir claimed he was not aware of the facts. Saying that such issues were political statements made by opponents,he added: “I do not want to indulge in all this.”

Asked that even the BJP was not in favour of the Bluestar Memorial,the deputy chief minister again evaded reply and repeated his “development agenda”.

‘Punjab Congress in suicidal mode’

While welcoming former Congress MLA Parkash Singh Bhatti into SAD in Ludhiana,party president Sukhbir Singh Badal said the Congress has no right to blame SAD for its infighting,as “the Punjab Congress unit was in a suicidal mode”. Later,he also welcomed Ramesh Joshi — former state Congress general secretary — into the party. “There will be many more surprises in the coming few days. The Opposition should keep itself prepared for such shocks,” said Sukhbir. In Jalandhar as well,several Congress leaders,including Suresh Sehgal,joined SAD.

Meanwhile,Sukhbir expelled eight leaders,including SAD’s zila parishad member Iqbal Dhindsa,from the party for anti-party activities.

Amidst protest,foundation laid at Golden Temple

Amid opposition by SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann and his supporters over entrusting Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Khalsa with the task of constructing the Bluestar Memorial,the Sikh high priests — on the 28th anniversary of Operation Bluestar on Wednesday — laid the foundation of the memorial dedicated to the “martyrs of 1984 Army attack on Golden Temple and Akal Takht”.

On this occasion,which was named as the 28th holocaust day (Ghallughara diwas) by the Sikh leadership,the clerics also bestowed the title of Zinda Shaheed (living martyr) on Beant Singh assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana,who is in jail. The honour was accepted by Rajoana’s sister Kamaldeep Kaur.

During their protest,while accusing Khalsa of subscribing to the ideology of SAD and BJP,Mann and his supporters also raised pro-Khalistani slogans,even though Akal Takht chief Giani Gurbachan Singh had directed those present not to raise any slogan.

Earlier,the Akal Takht chief came down heavily on then Centre for launching an “Army attack” on the most sacred places of Sikhs — Golden Temple and Akal Takht. “Every year,June 6 reminds the Sikh Panth of the calculated and cruel design of then Union government where thousands of devotees,women and children assembled in the Golden Temple to observe the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji were shot dead. Golden Temple,Akal Takht and other Sikh religious places,which gave message of harmony to the whole mankind,were attacked by the Army. This was the height of atrocity and cruelty,” said Singh.

He added: “The 1984 attack led to resentment against the Delhi rulers and instilled a strong sense of devotion for eternal martyr Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale and all those who laid down their lives during the operation.”

Saying that several innocent Sikhs were sent to jail in 1984,the chief added: “While some were released after decades,there were others against whom neither any case was filed nor they have been released. It is There was necessary to pressuring the government to get them released.”

On this occasion,Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale’s son Ishar Singh and a number of others whose family members were killed during the operation,were honoured.

A number of Akali SGPC members and a large number of devotees were present during the function. Except for Virsa Singh Valtoha,however,no prominent SAD leader was seen.

Meanwhile,SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar,while speaking to mediapersons,slammed state Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh for opposing the Bluestar Memorial. “If Amarinder Singh has an objection to the memorial,why did he resign in 1984 (as Congress MP)? Amarinder has changed his thinking after leaving SAD and joining the Congress,” Makkar said,adding that Operation Bluestar was a “permanent blot on the face of Congress”.

“The memorial is for all the martyrs of Operation Bluestar. No one can stop its construction. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal has clearly stated that the memorial should be built,” he added.

In a press statement,Shiromani Panthic Council chairman Manjit Singh Calcutta welcomed the setting up of the memorial,but added that Sikh organisations and scholars should be taken in the loop for finalising its design and structure.