New Delhi: Pro-Khalistani slogans were raised by radical Sikh activists in Punjab's Amritsar on Thursday, June 6, 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar. While many youth were seen carrying banners of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’, posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were also raised. 

The slogans were raised by activists of various outfits, including the Simranjit Singh Mann-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), and former MP Dhian Singh Mand at the Akal Takht – the highest temporal seat of Sikhs. Mann, who recently lost the Lok Sabha poll from the Sangrur seat, was also present, reported PTI. 

Reports said that the protest was led by radical outfit Dal Khalsa and youngsters were seen carrying Khalistani flags and photographs of a damaged Akal Takht.  Portraits of Khalistani-sympathiser Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Canada last year, were also displayed during the protest. 

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex Sikh religious body, displayed the bullet-riddled holy 'saroop' (volume) of the Guru Granth Sahib, as a symbol of protest. The 'saroop', which was installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple at that time, was hit by a bullet during the Army operation in 1984. Operation Bluestar was carried out by the Indian Army in June 1984 to flush out Khalistani sympathisers and armed militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. 

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh's Message 

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh called for the release of Sikh prisoners who have been elected in the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls. Singh, in his message to the Sikh community, said that two Sikhs who won the Lok Sabha elections as Independents should raise their voice in Parliament for the release of 'Bandhi Singhs' (Sikh prisoners who have completed their jail terms). Singh was referring to radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of former prime minister Indira Gandhi's assassin Beant Singh.

While Amritpal Singh, the chief of the 'Waris Punjab De' outfit who is currently lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act, won the Khadoor Singh Lok Sabha seat, Khalsa won the Faridkot seat. The Jathedar also declared that Bhindranwale and his supporters who were killed during Operation Bluestar in 1984 were “martyrs” and honoured their families at the Akal Takht, reported PTI. 

Security Tightened Around Golden Temple

On the occasion of 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, security has been beefed up around Golden Temple and surrounding areas.  "Security arrangements have been made here. Forces have been deployed and barricading has been done. Any untoward incident will be monitored," said Senior Superintendent of Police SS Randhawa Singh, as quoted by ANI.