Clash in Golden Temple on 30th anniversary of Operation Bluestar

6 Jun 2014 8:46 PM IST

Two groups clashed inside the Golden Temple premises Friday morning leaving at least 12 persons injured, even as the temple city observed a bandh to mark the 30th anniversary of Operation Bluestar. Source: PTI/AP/AFP
Reacting to the incident, Akali Dal Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Gujral, said, "It is very unfortunate. I also saw it on TV. This is the holiest place for the Sikhs. It is shameful, if such activities take place."
In June, 1984, more than 1,000 people were killed in Operation Bluestar, the raid on Sikhism's holiest shrine to flush out Sikh extremists led by Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale from the Golden Temple. Bhindrawale and his associates were killed in the
Here, a woman shows her injury to the media after the clash that Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh said was started by "some unscrupulous elements."
Blaming Akalis for it, the Sangrur MP said, "Akali Dal has mixed religion with politics. Religion should be separated from politics."
"Today is very important day for us. But we are also sorry that today this incident happened. We condemn it. This should not have happened," Shiromani Akali Dal MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said.
In Delhi, Punjab MPs strongly condemned the incident and said that religion should be separated from politics. AAP MP Bhagawant Mann described the incident as "shameful and a black day" and sought religion to be separated from politics.
Mann accused the SGPC and the ruling Akali Dal government in Punjab of not addressing the issues faced by the Sikh community and also targeting groups seeking resolution of these problems.
Simranjeet Singh Mann was prevented from delivering his speech during the ceremony following which a clash broke out between his group Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and guards of Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC).
Amritsar Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh Police said personnel are not permitted inside the Golden temple premises where security and other issues are under the control of the task force.
The situation took an ugly turn when one of the Akali Dal factions led by former IPS officer Simranjeet Singh Mann along with his supporters tried to raise pro-Khalistani slogans from the rostrum of Akal Takht.
Brandishing swords, spears and sticks, video footages showed people clashing and chasing each other outside the Akal Takht building inside the complex. Some others were seen running for cover.

Two groups clashed inside the Golden Temple premises Friday morning leaving at least 12 persons injured, even as the temple city observed a bandh to mark the 30th anniversary of Operation Bluestar. Source: PTI/AP/AFP

Clash in Golden Temple on 30th anniversary of Operation Bluestar

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Clash in Golden Temple on 30th anniversary of Operation Bluestar

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