41st Anniversary of Operation Blue Star: Ceremonies begin at Sri Darbar Sahib; Police and Administration on High Alert

Amritsar (The Uttam Hindu): On the occasion of the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star, carried out by the Indian Army on June 6, 1984, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, religious services including prayers and recitations are being conducted peacefully at Sri Darbar Sahib on Friday morning. Leaders of Sikh political and religious organizations, Sikh groups, and a large number of devotees (sangat) are present on the occasion.

At Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the annual martyrdom ceremony includes Kirtan (devotional singing) following the conclusion of the Akhand Path Sahib (a continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib). After the Ardas (prayer) and Hukamnama (divine command), Giani Kuldeep Singh Gaggaj, the acting Jathedar (chief) of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, will deliver a message to the Sikh community. After this, the families of the martyrs will be honored with Siropaas (robes of honor).

Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated that 24-hour special checkpoints have been set up at the entry and exit points of the city as well as in internal areas. Intensive checking of vehicles and suspicious individuals is being carried out at designated checkpoints. Strict security measures have been implemented, especially around the Golden Temple, with thorough checks of all those entering the area. Around 4,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city for security.

An official informed that all wings of the police are involved, and personnel from Amritsar city, Amritsar rural, Batala, and Tarn Taran districts have also been deployed. Meanwhile, tensions have escalated as Sikh hardliner group Dal Khalsa raised objections to Giani Kuldeep Singh Gaggaj, the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, delivering a message from the platform of the highest Sikh temporal seat.

Harnam Singh Dhumma, head of Damdami Taksal, also objected to the address being delivered from Sri Akal Takht by Giani Kuldeep Singh Gaggaj. Following this, the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee), police, and intelligence agencies have become vigilant. On Thursday evening, Dal Khalsa held a Shaheedi (martyrdom) march, which started from Burj Akali Phula Singh, passed through various markets, and concluded at Sri Akal Takht Sahib with a prayer. Dal Khalsa has called for an Amritsar bandh (shutdown) today.