Chandigarh, July 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Punjab Legislative Assembly Speaker and Patron of Shiromani Akali Dal Punar-Surjit Ravi Inder Singh has questioned whether the Congress party has received forgiveness from Sri Akal Takht Sahib for its alleged role in the events of June and November 1984.
In a written statement issued to the media, Ravi Inder Singh said the attack on Sri Akal Takht Sahib during Operation Blue Star in June 1984 and the anti-Sikh violence of November 1984 remain among the most painful chapters in Sikh history. He said these issues continue to be remembered during annual commemorations, including the Ardas held on June 6, which refers to the attack by the then Congress-led government on the Sikh faith’s highest temporal seat.
Raising questions over recent developments, he said Congress MLAs were allowed to enter the Sri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat on June 29 and address the gathering. He questioned whether this amounted to the party being absolved of responsibility for the alleged actions of its governments in 1984.
Ravi Inder Singh referred to concerns raised by Sikh scholar Dr Bhagwan Singh, who had written to the Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib seeking a review of the matter. He said the letter highlighted historical examples where individuals associated with governments were required to appear before the Panj Singh Sahibans and undergo religious disciplinary proceedings before their views were considered.
Citing examples from Sikh history, he referred to Bhai Shahbeg Singh, Bhai Teja Singh Mastuana and Sunder Singh Majithia, saying past Sikh institutions had followed established traditions while dealing with individuals associated with authorities.
Ravi Inder Singh said that if Congress leaders were invited to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, they should have first undergone the traditional process of appearing before the Panj Singh Sahibans. He alleged that no such procedure was followed and that the platform was instead used to raise political issues.
He further questioned the decision to allow Congress MLAs to participate in the Punjab Assembly proceedings following their request, saying such developments had created confusion among Sikh circles.
Maintaining that Sri Akal Takht Sahib belongs to the entire Sikh community, Ravi Inder Singh urged the Jathedar Sahib to clarify whether political considerations had influenced recent decisions and whether the alleged actions of the Congress governments during 1984 had been forgiven.
He also appealed to Panthic organisations and Sikh scholars to express their views on the matter.
The statement was released to the media by Media In-charge Tajinder Singh Pannu.
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