Indira Gandhi's assassins honoured by Akal Takht

[JSinghnz]

By Yudhvir Rana, TNN |

AMRITSAR: After coming under nationwide criticism for honouring the kin of former Army chief Gen AS Vaidya's killers in October, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) — Sikh's single largest representative body controlled by Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) — on Sunday held a special function to remember the assassins of former Prime Minister of IndiaIndira Gandhi in presence of Jathedar of Akal Takht who honoured father of one assassin and described them 'martyrs'.

On October 31, 1984, Beant Singh , bodyguard of Indira Gandhi along with another body guard Satwant Singh had assassinated Indira Gandhi at her residence. Beant Singh was however immediately shot dead in a gunfire following Indira's assassin while Satwant Singh and another conspirator Kehar Singh were hanged to death on January 6th, 1989.

Besides SGPC officials leaders of Sikh radical organization Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) were present on the occasion. Manager of Golden Temple, HS Malhi informed that Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh bestowed siropa (robe of honour) upon Tarlok Singh, father of one of Indira's assassin Satwant Singh and also upon Bhupinder Singh brother of Harjinder Singh Jinda, one of the assassin of General Vaidya .

Jinda along with Sukhdev Singh Sukha had gunned down General Vaidya on August 10, 1986. On the occasion Jathedar of Akal Takht Gurbachan Singh described them the 'martyr of faith' and eulogized their heinous act. While speaking on the occasion Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh said "we pay tribute to them as they are our martyrs who sacrificed life to avenge the sacrilege of Sikh shrine" .

Both Indira Gandhi and General Vaidya were killed by pro Khalistan elements as an aftermath of Operation Bluestar which was carried out from June 3rd to 6th by army to flush out armed militants who had taken seize of Golden Temple — Sikhs' holiest shrine.

Another function to 'honour' the killers of Indira Gandhi was held at Agwan — native village of Satwant Singh. Sukhwinder Singh, sarpanch of village and nephew of Satwant Singh informed that the function was held at Gurdwara Bhai Satwant Singh which was built in Indira's killers memory.

Among others who attended the function included chief of Damdami Taksal Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh , former Jathedar of Akal Takht Jasbir Singh Rode.