Jalandhar: Maharashtra BJP minister Girish Mahajan, while speaking at Damdami Taksal headquarters in Chowk Mehta at an event marking the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star, paid tribute to the Sikhs killed in the incident as 'martyrs' and termed the Army action 'an attack'.
PM Modi's Earlier Remarks
Around three years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while replying to a no-confidence motion in Parliament in August 2023, had used the expression 'an attack on Akal Takht' for the Army action at Darbar Sahib in June 1984.
Mahajan's Address
When Mahajan was invited to speak at the event, it was announced that he was representing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. 'It is a black day for us and we can never forget it. Thousands of our brothers and sisters were martyred. The Army attacked the holy place. Indira Gandhi made the Army invade our holy place. In Delhi also, thousands of our mothers, brothers, and sisters were brutally massacred,' he said.
He added: 'After so many murders, nobody has been punished. None has been hanged. Congress is now paying for its misdeeds.' He said he was not only invited by Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma, but Fadnavis had also told him to attend the event.
Punjab BJP's Stance
On June 1 last year, the Punjab BJP unit paid tribute to the 'martyrs of day one of the attack', using expressions that Sikhs have used from the very beginning. However, the post was soon retracted and BJP posted, '1 June 1984 - Saka Blue Star – Humble tribute to all the martyrs of day one of the attack on Darbar Sahib by Congress government.'
RSS Chief's Visit
In the winter of 2000-2001, the then RSS chief K.C. Sudarshan had visited Taksal headquarters at Chowk Mehta and met with then Taksal chief Baba Thakar Singh and other Sikh saints and Taksal leaders. According to Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi, who was present on the occasion, the RSS chief's opening remark was that he felt saddened by the Army action on Darbar Sahib by the Congress government and called it a disaster.
