CLASH AT GOLDEN TEMPLE ON BLUESTAR ANNIVERSARY
SGPC blames Simranjit Mann, but Akal Takht gives him clean chit
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, June 6
Even as various Sikh organisations expressed shock over the violent clash between members of the SGPC task force and activists of radical Sikh outfits at the Golden Temple complex here today, the SGPC and Akal Takht have taken contradictory stand on the issue.
While Akal Takht Jathedar has virtually given a clean chit to SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, the SGPC has blamed him for the trouble. Talking to mediapersons, the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh, blamed some "unscrupulous elements" for the violence. He alleged that their aim was to create fissures in the Sikh community.
He said the clash broke out after Mann had left the venue. He said the culprits would be identified with the help of CCTV cameras and stringent action would be taken against them. He denied that "historic" weapons were used in the clash.
However, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar blamed Mann and Amrik Singh Ajnala for the clash. In a statement, he said six SGPC employees, including Bhai Satnam Singh, one of the Panj Piare, were injured. He said those who had indulged in the violence had "humiliated Operation Bluestar martyrs". He accused them of violating the Sikh "maryada”.
An injured pilgrim (above) after the clash between SGPC task force and Sikh radical groups (top) at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Friday. pti/tribune photoMann said a section of Sikhs raised pro-Khalistan slogans and the Akal Takht Jathedar asked him to stop them. "When I asked for the microphone, I was snubbed. I climbed down the stairs to address the gathering. This angered the sangat that confronted the SGPC task force and a clash ensued," he said.
It’s disrespect to martyrs: SADChandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has condemned the violence "unleashed by the SAD (Amritsar) in the Darbar Sahib complex" and said such conduct amounted to "disrespecting the sacrifices of the martyrs."
Party general secretary Maheshinder Singh Grewal said the manner in which SAD (Amritsar) had tried to use a religious function to revive itself politically was condemnable. Terming the "sacrilegious conduct" as anti-Sikh act, the SAD appealed to the community worldwide to maintain calm. "The SAD will not allow anyone to play politics over the bodies of the martyrs of Operation Bluestar," Grewal added.
Shops remain shut in AmritsarThe bandh call given by the Dal Khalsa evoked a good response in the walled city on Friday
Shastri Market, Katra Ahluwalia, Cashdhara Bazaar, Partap Bazaar, Guru Bazaar and Bazaar Tahliwala remained closed
A few shopkeepers, who had opened their shops in the morning, downed their shutters after the clash at Akal Takht
The police had detained 100 Dal Khalsa activists in view of their bandh call. They were released in the evening
Police Commissioner JS Aulakh said they had deployed 1,500 policemen and the anti-riot police to maintain law and order
Politicians, religious leaders criticise violence, call for peaceThe incident has deeply pained me... Nothing should be done that dents the image of the great, patriotic and peaceful Sikh community. Anybody found guilty will be dealt with firmly
Parkash Singh Badal, CHIEF MINISTER
It's highly condemnable that on a day like this there should be violent clashes in the Golden Temple. It is unfortunate and we condemn it in the strongest terms
Capt Amarinder Singh, CONG MP
The incident of violence is unfortunate. The people of Punjab must not fall into the trap laid by the separatists and maintain peace and harmony
Kamal Sharma, BJP STATE PRESIDENT
This is a heart-breaking development. On a day when we should all have been jointly observing the anniversary of a tragic event, we are witnessing violence
Bhagwant Mann, AAP MP
Some unscrupulous elements were responsible for the violence. Their objective was to create fissures in the Sikh community. The clash broke out after Simranjit Mann had left
Gurbachan Singh, AKAL TAKHT CHIEF
Mann and Amrik Singh Ajnala are to be blamed for the clash. Those who indulged in the violence have humiliated Operation Bluestar martyrs and violated the Sikh maryada
Avtar Singh Makkar, SGPC CHIEF
The manner in which SAD (Amritsar) has tried to use a religious function to revive itself politically is condemnable. We will not allow anybody to play politics over the bodies of Bluestar martyrs
Maheshinder S Grewal, SAD GEN SECY
No Akali MP was inside and our men did not trigger any trouble. The SAD (Amritsar) tries to create disturbances occasionally and uses the Golden Temple forum for political purposes
Naresh Gujral, SAD MP
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਬਚਨਕਮਾਵਣੇਸਚਾਏਹੁਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥