Jamshedpur: Advocate Kulwinder Singh, head of Baridih Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee and National Sanatan Sikh Sabha Convener, has made a poignant appeal to the Sikh community, urging them to abstain from participating in any celebrations of electoral victories following the vote count on Tuesday. This request follows the directives issued by Jathedar Singh Sahib Gyani Raghuvir Singh and the five Pyaras of Sri Akal Takht.
Advocate Singh reminded the community of the somber historical event that took place 40 years ago on June 4, 1984. On this date, under orders from the then Congress government, Operation Blue Star was initiated at Sri Darbar Sahib. The operation led to the tragic deaths of thousands of Sikhs who had gathered at the Golden Temple to commemorate the martyrdom of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji. The military action, known as the third Ghallughara, also resulted in significant damage to the revered Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the sacred Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
In remembrance of this grievous event, Kulwinder Singh emphasized the importance of observing the solemn orders from the five Sikh Sahibans. Sikh men are advised to wear black turbans and women to wear black dupattas. The community is also encouraged to hold programs in Gurudwaras that reflect on the massacre and to participate in a collective Ardaas on June 6. Singh stressed that celebrating electoral victories during this period of mourning would be disrespectful to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the protection of religion, nation, democracy, and the constitution.
He called upon all Sikhs, regardless of their political affiliations, to honor the directive from Sri Akal Takht and delay any celebrations until after June 6. Singh reflected on past massacres, noting the first Ghallughara in 1746, where the joint army of Subedar Yahiya Khan and Diwan Lakhpat Rai martyred around 7,000 Sikhs in Gurdaspur and arrested 3,000 more, who were subsequently massacred on the road to Lahore. The second Ghallughara occurred on February 5, 1761, when the joint forces of Ahmed Shah Durrani and the Subedars of Lahore and Sirhind killed an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 Sikhs, with some historians estimating the toll at 50,000.
In light of these historical tragedies, Kulwinder Singh urged the Sikh community to maintain a period of reflection and respect, underscoring the significance of remembering and honoring their past.
