A fresh controversy has erupted within Sikh circles regarding the venue of the annual Ghallughara Remembrance Day, with Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann and Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhuma exchanging sharp remarks publicly.
Dispute Over Venue
The dispute centers on the annual event held at the Damdami Taksal headquarters in Mehta Chowk to commemorate the events of June 1984. Recently, Mann criticized Dhuma, stating that the June 6 observance should be held only at Akal Takht, where Sikhs from across the world gather to collectively remember the day. Mann urged Dhuma to hold the Mehta Chowk programme on June 7 instead, saying he would have no objection to such an arrangement. He also criticized Dhuma for participating in rituals such as bathing in the Ganges and offering prayers to a Shivling.
Dhuma's Response
Responding during a gathering, Dhuma, without directly naming Mann, said some individuals continuously criticize the Damdami Taksal despite having benefited from the institution’s support in the past. Referring to Mann, he remarked that the organization had helped him become a Member of Parliament and attain other positions of prominence, and advised him to “keep his mouth shut” on the issue. Dhuma defended the continuation of the annual programme at Mehta Chowk, arguing that the event has been held there since the tenure of Baba Thakur Singh, who led the Taksal after Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He asserted that no force in the world could stop these commemorative gatherings.
Further Reactions
The exchange did not end there. Following Dhuma’s remarks, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) national general secretary Mahinder Pal Singh countered that Dhuma had participated in the June 6 programmes at Akal Takht until around 2012-13. He alleged that it was only afterwards, at the behest of certain forces, that Dhuma began organizing a separate event at Mehta Chowk.
This controversy highlights ongoing tensions within the Sikh community over the appropriate location for remembering the tragic events of June 1984, which include Operation Blue Star and the subsequent pogroms. The Ghallughara Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion for Sikhs worldwide, and the debate over its venue reflects deeper divisions over religious authority and historical memory.
