Amritsar, Jun 6 (PTI): The Sikh community should remain united and connected to their roots in Punjab, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said on Saturday, the 42nd anniversary of Operation Bluestar, and expressed concern that Sikh identity and religious symbols were being “targeted globally”.
Addressing a gathering, the Jathedar (head priest) also raised the issue of the anti-sacrilege law and criticised what he described as attempts by governments to impose laws and exercise control over Sikh institutions.
Operation Bluestar was carried out in June 1984 to flush out militants from the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of Sikhism.
Sikh religious bodies observed the anniversary of Operation Bluestar which passed off peacefully, though pro-Khalistan slogans were raised by supporters and activists of radical Sikh outfits outside the Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of Sikhs.
Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised by activists of former MP Simranjit Singh Mann-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar). Mann was also present on the spot. Supporters of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh were also seen with his portraits. Singh is currently lodged in a jail in Assam in the 2023 Police Station attack case.
Radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa’s activists were seen carrying photographs of the damaged Akal Takht and holding placards bearing portraits of slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The entire marbled periphery of the Golden Temple echoed with pro-Khalistan slogans.
Jathedar Gargajj said governments must always remember that Sikhs are equal citizens in India and not second-class citizens. Policies perceived as discriminatory towards Sikhs are not in the country’s interest, he said in his address.
He expressed concern that Sikh identity and religious symbols “were increasingly being targeted globally through various pretexts under deep-rooted conspiracy”.
He urged Sikh organisations worldwide to remain vigilant and appealed to Sikhs living abroad to maintain strong ties with Punjab, ensure their children remain connected to their roots, avoid permanently leaving Punjab and refrain from selling ancestral lands.
“It is very important to remain connected to our roots and strengthen it to counter future big challenges,” he said.
He condemned the targeting of Sikh identity, articles of faith and the turban and cited recent incidents in Himachal Pradesh. “In the past, there were policies to end our five articles of faith. Even today, to target Sikhs’ distinct identity, sometimes there is highhandedness with Sikhs in Himachal,” he said.
He said people from across the country live and work freely in Punjab without being targeted because of their identity.
He stressed that Sikhs would not tolerate treatment that undermines their distinct identity. “Those who are at the helm should know that we are equals and we are not second-class citizens in the country,” he said. The Jathedar said Sikhs have established a unique identity around the world through service to humanity and “adherence to the principle of Sarbat da Bhala (welfare of all)”.
Referring to Punjab’s anti-sacrilege law, Gargajj said no law related to Sikh religious affairs should be enacted without the consent of the ‘Sikh Panth’.
“Today there are conspiracies to bring ‘Guru Granth’ and ‘Guru Panth’ under the ambit of law. There are conspiracies to weaken the Sikh organisations. Sikhs have said that the law should be against the perpetrators of sacrilege but the law has been framed against Sikhs,” he claimed.
He argued that the real issue was ensuring strict punishment for those responsible for sacrilege incidents and delivering justice to Sikhs.
Notably, the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was unanimously passed by the Punjab Assembly on April 13. It has the provision of stricter punishment, including life imprisonment for any act of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib.
Raising the issue of ‘Bandi Singhs’, the Jathedar called upon the Sikh community to unite for the release of Sikh prisoners, including Balwant Singh Rajoana, Devinderpal Singh Bhullar and Jagtar Singh Hawara.
He said many Sikh prisoners continue to remain incarcerated despite having completed their sentences.
‘Bandi Singhs’ are those Sikh prisoners who, parties like Shiromani Akali Dal and other Sikh bodies claim, were in jails even after completion of their sentences.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee honoured the family members of Sikh leaders who were killed along with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in the Golden Temple complex during the Army action in June 1984.
Speaking on the occasion, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami urged the Sikh community to remain united in addressing Sikh issues and securing justice for Sikh prisoners.
