Sikh war heroes’ portraits at Golden Temple museum: ‘Wars different from Op Bluestar’
AMRITSAR: Portraits of late Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Arora and Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh were put up at the Central Sikh museum in the Golden Temple on Tuesday.
Golden Temple head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh, along with Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Kirpal Singh Badungar and general secretary Amarjit Singh Chawla unveiled the portraits.
Prior to this, a brief religious function was also organised in the museum.
Relatives and other accomplices of the Sikh war heroes, who were present on the occasion, were given ‘siropas’ (robes of honour).
The museum houses portraits of some radical leaders as well, including Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who was killed by the army during Operation Bluestar.
Badungar said the SGPC has installed the portraits Sikh war heroes who fought wars against Pakistan.
“My point is that the Sikhs have always fought against the atrocities. During the 1965 and 1971 wars, the role of army was different from one it played during Operation Bluestar. All these three Sikh officers played a key role in defeating Pakistan,” he said, addressing the reported irony.
“The Sikhs are biggest patriots of this country, who sacrificed their lives for it,” he said, adding, “However, this is quite unfortunate that they have been denied the status to which they deserved for. They were suppressed time to time and deprived of Punjabi suba for long time.”
Point is that the Sikhs have always fought against atrocities. During the 1965 and 1971 wars, the role of army was different from one it played during Operation Bluestar. KIRPAL SINGH BADUNGAR, SGPC president