The move comes after the sgpc, backed by the Akal Takht, gave its seal of approval to the inclusion of the martyrdom day in the recently implemented ‘Nanakshahi calendar’. The event will be marked by an open religious congregation where Sikh martyrs, including Bhindranwale, will be named. There will be prayers and speeches by Akal Takht jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and sgpc chief Kirpal Singh Badungar. The radical Dal Khalsa, which is organising the function, is expected to invite about 1,000 families whose relatives were killed in Operation Bluestar.
This is the first time the moderate Akali leadership led by ex-CM Parkash Singh Badal—now an ally of the BJP-led NDA government—has recognised Bhindranwale as a ‘martyr’. The bjp’s reaction to this glorification of "terrorists" is not known. Incidentally, the Nanakshahi calendar was released by Badal at a political conference in Talwandi Sabo in March this year.
By Chander Suta Dogra
