Jathedar Delivers 'Sandesh' During 'Ardas' to Avert Clash

This is the first time in 25 years that the jathedar has not given a direct address to the community from the Akal Takht

- Surjit Singh

AMRITSAR: The 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar was observed peacefully at Golden Temple in Amritsar amid tight security on Friday, with the Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj delivering 'sandesh' (message) to the community during 'ardas' (prayer) to avert any clash. Also, instead of jathedar, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami felicitated the kin of Sikh leaders with 'siropa' (robe of honour) who were killed during the army action in June 1984.

This is the first time in 25 years (1999) since the event became an annual affair, that a jathedar has not delivered a direct address to the community from the Akal Takht, thus avoiding any confrontation with Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma and some Nihang organisations, who had opposed Giani Gargaj's appointment as jathedar and had announced that they would not let him deliver 'sandesh'.

In a surprise move, Giani Gargaj performed the 'ardas' at the end of which he raised issues concerning the Sikh community, what was called his 'sandesh'. He sought the release of Sikh prisoners; the unity of the panth; restrictions on wearing kakars (articles of faith) by Sikhs, and a prayer for Punjab not becoming a battleground in the India-Pakistan conflict.