Amritsar Sahib: Protesting the portrayal of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale as “terrorist” by Maharashtra bureau, the Sikhs continues to hold its Martyr in high esteem and the construction of his memorial in the form of Gurdwara in the premises of Darbar Sahib stands testimony to this fact.
Kanwarpal Singh Bittu.
Depiction of Sant Jarnail Singh as “terrorist” in Maharashtra class 9 history and political science books and justified by Maharashtra state bureau of Textbook Publication and Curriculum Research in the Bombay High Court is in tune with Indian State’s policy to defame Sikh heroes, said Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh in a statement here today.
Kanwar Pal Singh quoted the resolution adopted at Shri Akal Takhat Sahib on June 6, 2003, in which he was accorded the status of great martyr. “Sikh nation under the aegis of the Shri Akal Takhat Sahib declares that Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale embraced martyrdom while fighting against the Indian army in June 1984”.
The author of the chapter on “Operation Blue Star” in the said textbook has willfully portrayed the Sikh heroes as “villain and threat to peace”. Ironically, instead of removing this chapter from the syllabus, the textbook bureau of BJP government in Maharashtra has justified its contents. “Let Badals to gherao their alliance partner BJP on the issue”.
“Quoting the famous saying, “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”, he said it was Sant Bhindrawale, who fought against New Delhi’s aggression and hypocrisy. He lived with pride and died for the Sikh cause, said added.