Akal Takhat Sahib after June 1984 attack by Indian Army
Amritsar, Punjab (May 21, 2012): Bhartiya Janta Party, BJP, known for it’s Hindutva ideology has opposed the Sikh memorial for June 1984, known as “third Ghallughara (holocaust) of Sikh history”.
In June 1984 Indian army attacked Sri Darbar Sahib, commonly known as Golden Temple of Amritsar. Thousands of civilian Sikh pilgrims were killed by Indian forces and Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, eternal seat of Sikh sovereignty was targeted with tanks, bombs and rockets and was badly damaged. It was followed by various phases of genocidal violence against Sikh population in Punjab and India, including “Operation wood rose”, November 1984 Sikh genocide and mass level human rights violations in Punjab (1984-1994).
On May 20, 2012 foundation was laid for constructing memorial for Sikh warriors and Sikh pilgrims who attained martyrdom during June 1984 attack.
BJP Punjab in-charge Shanta Kumar adressing the Press Conference
BJP’s in-charge of Punjab affairs, Shanta Kumar, is reported to have objected to the construction of memorial for Sikh martyrs. While terming the proposed memorial as a “step to glorify terrorism” he is reported to have said that after obtaining full details in this regard he would approach party high command to raise strong objection to the memorial.
It is notable that it was the Congress (I) regime led by Indira Gandhi that ordered attack on Sri Darbar Sahib in 1984 but BJP’s senior leader Lal Krishan Advani in his autobiography “My Country My Life” claimed that it was BJP that pursued Indira Gandhi to attack the Sikh shrine.