Martyrs of June 1984 Ghallughara Should Be Remembered with Spirit of Panthic Unity – Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj

Amritsar, June 1 , Nazrana Times Beuro

The officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, in an official statement issued today from the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib regarding the Shaheedi Hafta (martyrdom week) of June 1984 Ghallughara (holocaust), appealed to the entire Sikh community to commemorate these days with the spirit of Panthic unity and pay respectful homage to the martyrs.

He stated that in June 1984, when Sikh devotees had gathered to observe the martyrdom day of the Fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the then Congress-led Indian government launched a military assault using tanks, artillery, and bullets on the central Sikh religious place, Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, and Sri Akal Takht Sahib. In this brutal assault, the 14th head of the Damdami Taksal, Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, Sikh Student Federation president Bhai Amrik Singh, Baba Thara Singh, and General Shabeg Singh were among the hundreds of Sikhs martyred. During this period, several other Gurdwaras in Punjab were also targeted.

Jathedar Gargajj emphasized that the Sikh community can never forget the military attack of June 1984. The first week of June each year is a deeply emotional and solemn time for the Panth, when martyrs are remembered. He said that these martyrs sacrificed their lives for the nation, and they will always hold a place of utmost respect in the hearts of the Sikhs.

He further urged that from June 1 to 6, special Gurmat Samagams (religious congregations), lectures, and seminars should be organized globally by Sikhs to commemorate the martyrs, and true tributes should be paid by conducting thorough research on their lives and publishing documents and books to preserve this history for future generations. He stated that it is the need of the hour to compile and publish the history of all the martyrs of June 1984 in both Punjabi and English on a large scale and present it before the global community.

Jathedar Gargajj also instructed all Gurdwara management committees to hold special Sri Akhand Path Sahib recitations in memory of the martyrs of June 1984, and where time does not permit, Sri Sukhmani Sahib recitations should be held. He also encouraged them to invite historians and preachers to the Gurdwaras to educate the sangat (congregation) about the events of June 1984 – the atrocities committed by the government against Sikhs, and the subsequent orchestrated massacre of Sikhs across India in November 1984.

Jathedar Gargajj stated that from time to time, certain forces have covertly attempted to prevent the Sikh community from remembering the martyrs of June 1984 and to sow division within the Khalsa Panth. However, the community has always remembered its martyrs with unwavering spirit (Chardi Kala) and will continue to do so. He stressed that today, the Panth needs unity, not division, so that the collective strength of the Sikhs can grow, and the community can progress in Chardi Kala.

He concluded by saying that Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the father of both spiritual and temporal authority (Miri-Piri), established Sri Akal Takht Sahib to unite the Sikh community as one organization, and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, by founding the Khalsa Panth, shaped the community into one united family. This means different groups working in unity — not uniformity — under a shared mission, with every member of the Panth firmly committed to their dharam (faith) and farz (duty).