Build memorial for all who died during militancy: Capt Amarinder

Having opposed a memorial on the 1984 Operation Bluestar within the Golden Temple complex,state Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said that the party was in favour of setting up a peace memorial in memory of all those who lost their lives during the dark days of terror in Punjab.

Having opposed a memorial on the 1984 Operation Bluestar within the Golden Temple complex,state Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said that the party was in favour of setting up a peace memorial in memory of all those who lost their lives during the dark days of terror in Punjab. However,the memorial should not be one dedicated to Operation Bluestar and must be built outside the Golden Temple complex.

While addressing mediapersons,Amarinder said: Setting up a memorial on Operation Bluestar within the precincts of the Golden Temple will defile its sanctity. You cant raise a memorial to anybody parallel to the Golden Temple and Akal Takht. Besides,the memorial should be for peace and harmony and not for mistrust and disharmony.

Amarinder said all Punjabis in general and the Sikhs in particular should think seriously about the sanctity of the holiest shrine of Sikhs. Slamming the government,Amarinder said: The Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had once again behaved in a cowardly manner and succumbed to the pressure of radicals. Badal should have had the guts and courage and put his foot down against the memorial being built inside the Golden Temple.

He added that the Golden Temple has been attacked on a number of occasions also but never were any memorials set up inside. There are kallughara (massacre) memorials at different places in Punjab,but none in the holy shrine,said Amarinder.

While questioning Badals assertion that the memorial will be a memorial to peace,he said: How can that be when you are leaving out thousands of others who laid down their lives for peace in Punjab? Memorials cannot be selective. Around 35,000 people were killed before and after Bluestar,among them,there were 1,784 police personnel,including two DIGs,seven SPs,12 DSPs and others. They were killed while fighting terrorism. There were also a number of Congress,Akali,BJP and Communist leaders killed by the terrorists.

Amarinder also condemned Badal for facilitating the honouring of Beant Singh assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana recently.

At the same time,he clarified that he had only opposed the death penalty to Rajoana since he was against capital punishment. Rajoana should get life imprisonment, he added.

Story continues below this ad

Asked about alleged meter tampering at his residence,Amarinder said: On Saturday,a team of powercom officials,who were sent by Badal,came to the New Moti Bagh Palace. As there was no staff at that time,they returned later. They have checked all the 18 meters and found that none had been tempered with. They have given the report to their seniors.

He added: It was due to Badal that the officials came to check at my place,as it was part of information demanded under an RTI application in February. They should have asked me directly about the consumption.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram