Sri Amritsar-The Shaheedi Samagam (Martyrdom Congregation) commemorating the June 1984 Ghallughara (holocaust) was held today at Sri Akal Takht Sahib in a completely peaceful and spiritually united atmosphere. On this occasion, a Gurmat Samagam (religious congregation) was organized by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) with the support of various Sikh organizations including Damdami Taksal, Nihang Singh Sampradas, and Singh Sabhas.
Following the concluding ceremony (bhog) of Sri Akhand Path Sahib and Gurbani Kirtan, Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, offered the concluding Ardas (Sikh prayer). In front of Guru Sahib, he paid tribute to all martyrs of June 1984, including the 14th Head of Damdami Taksal great Sikh 20th-century community’s martyr Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, All India Sikh Students Federation President Bhai Amrik Singh, General Shabeg Singh, and Baba Thara Singh.
He recalled that in June 1984, the then Congress-led Indian government launched a brutal military assault using tanks, artillery, and bullets at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, right when the entire Sikh community was commemorating the martyrdom day of Sri Guru Arjan Dev. During this attack, even the holy saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, was wounded by bullets. Many Sikh men, women, youth, and children who had gathered for the fifth Guru’s martyrdom congregation were martyred. The assault extended beyond Sri Harmandar Sahib to other Sikh shrines across Punjab, including the highest seat of Sikh authority—Sri Akal Takht Sahib—which was damaged.
In his Ardas, Jathedar Gargajj prayed for strength, unity, harmony, and togetherness within the Khalsa Panth and sought blessings for the community to follow in the footsteps of the community’s warriors and martyrs. He also raised concern over ongoing efforts to blur Sikh identity in the country and condemned the government's anti-Sikh policies targeting Sikh Kakaars (articles of faith). He appealed to the community to unite in their efforts for the release of all Bandi Singhs (Sikh political prisoners), including the Zinda Shaheed (living martyr) Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. He prayed for such united strength and efforts of the community, that we could get the Sikh prisoners released.
He addressed the issue of targeted killings of Sikhs in country and abroad and asserted that Punjab is the sacred homeland of Sikhs, urging that it should never become a battlefield. Referring to the current state of internal conflict within the community, he prayed before Guru Sahib for adherence to the principle of unity, as demonstrated by today’s united and peaceful commemoration of the June 1984 Ghallughara.
He further prayed that Sikh taksals, religious organizations, and Nihang sampradas remain forever united under the Khalsa’s Nishan Sahib.
Speaking to the media after the congregation at the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj expressed strong objection to the planned events being held in Batala city under the name ‘Crusade’, in the context of religious conversions. He stated that Punjab is the land sanctified by the Sikh Gurus, and seeds of hatred must not be sown here. He emphasized the need for the Sikh community to respond to this issue with compassion and to embrace those who have drifted toward other faiths. He expressed hope that under the ‘Khuar Hoye Sab Milenge’ campaign started for religious preaching, the issue of religious conversions will be effectively addressed.
The Jathedar thanked all the Sikh organisations and prominent personalities for peaceful commemoration of the June 1984 Ghallughara Shaheedi Samagam.