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Punjab : Sikh militant Bhindranwale declared “martyr” |
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In a significant development, the supreme Sikh religious body, Akal Takht, has declared Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as a “martyr.” The militant leader had spawned years of campaign for an independent “Khalistan” and hundreds of people had been killed by the militants who favoured his armed struggle against a determined Central Government which saw in the movement an attempt at secession. Forced to order a military crackdown, the Centre finally got rid of the militant leader.
Now a new twist has been added by the statement issued by the Akal Takht that the “movement” for which Bhindranwale fought was not dead. The Takht chief, Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti who declared Bhindranwale a martyr, presented a siropa (robe of honour) to Bhindranwale’s son, Ishar Singh. Several resolutions were passed at the ceremony. The most significant one said that their goal of self-determination under UN provisions remained in place. “The struggle is still alive,” the resolution said.
Officially, the Takht’s declaration on Bhindranwale set at rest the controversy over whether the leader of the Damdami Taksal (once a powerful Sikh seminary near Amritsar) was actually killed in Operation Bluestar, 19 years ago. June 6 was the anniversary of the operation which had aimed at flushing out terrorists from the Golden Temple at Amritsar.
A section of the Damdami Taksal (now marginalised) refused to accept that Bhindranwale was indeed dead. It stayed away from the ceremony at which Bhindranwale was declared a martyr. Observers said declaring Bhindranwale a martyr had become possible because the Damdami Taksal was divided on the issue over the past few years.
The declaration could embarrass Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. The Congress has always been opposed to declaring Bhindranwale a martyr. But Amarinder Singh, who had left the party after Operation Bluestar to form the Akali Dal, was then deputed by the party to negotiate with the Damdami Taksal.
Caste violence in Punjab town
Meanwhile, in a rare development, caste violence continued to rock Talhan village and adjoining areas of Jalandhar district of Punjab for the third day on June 7 prompting authorities to clamp curfew at more places. A minor clash broke out in the village on June 7 as tension prevailed in the area after in May 5 clash between Jat Sikhs and Dalit castes.
While the Janata Dal (Secular) has accused the Opposition SAD-BJP of vitiating the atmosphere, Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal sought immediate resignation of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
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