Amritsar-With “Ghallughara week” dedicated to 36th anniversary of Operation Bluestar commencing on Monday, call it Covid-19 threat or avoiding the commotion in and around the Golden Temple complex the police are prepping well in advance.
In a wake of Covid lockdown, the Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh is yet to take a final call on the programme, yet his ‘parallel’ counterpart Bhai Dhyan Singh Mand has declared to conduct prayers at the Akal Takht and deliver ‘public address’. Another separatist organisation, Dal Khalsa and allied organisations too have announced to conduct genocide remembrance parade a day prior in Amritsar.
Taking into account the history of clashes between the SGPC and the pro-Khalistan groups on June 6, the police were discouraging the devotees to approach towards shrine complex.
“We apprehend that some ‘garamkhiali’ Sikh activists could gather inside the shrine well in advance. Moreover, Covid-19 guidelines too demand to avoid gathering, that’s why we have taken security measures, ” said a cop preferring anonymity.
The police have tightened security in and around the Golden Temple. While 144 of 1973 CrPC has been imposed, carrying any kind of weapon, including the ‘kirpan’ has been banned, till further orders.
SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said the decision of holding June 6 programme would be taken keeping in view the government’s guidelines of lockdown-5 or lockdown-1 relaxations.
We are yet to take a decision before giving a public call for June 6 programme. Under prevailing adverse circumstances, the bhog of akhand paths could be initiated in the Golden Temple complex to mark the occasion symbolically, devoid of sangat from outside on June 6. Due to Covid threat, Giani Harpreet Singh had already directed the sangat to avoid gathering during gurpurbs earlier, ” he said.
Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Khalsa said in the wake of coronavirus threat, this time the day will be observed would be held symbolically. “From June 1 to 4, katha kirtan would be held at gurdwara in Chowk Mehta and on June 6, bhog of Akhand Path would be initiated. I appeal to devotees to stay in the homes and perform ardas for the peace of Shaheed, ” he said.
On the other hand, the controversial 2015 Sarbat Khalsa organiser Jarnail Singh Sakhira claimed that police have started raiding the places of Sikh activists.
Jathedar Mand supported by handful of activists will reach Akal Takht, conduct prayers and deliver public address on June 6, as the precedence goes. But we will follow the social distancing and other safety norms, ” he said.
Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said, “Keeping physical distancing norm in mind only the prominent members of our party and other likeminded parties would take part in the parade on June 5, ” he said.