A fresh controversy has emerged within Sikh circles over the venue for the annual commemoration of the June 1984 military action, with Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann and Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhuma publicly exchanging sharp remarks.
The dispute centres on the annual event held at the Damdami Taksal headquarters in Mehta Chowk to mark the events of June 1984. Recently, Mann criticised Dhuma, stating that the June 6 observance should be held only at Akal Takht, where Sikhs from around the world gather to remember the day collectively.
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 criticised Dhuma over his participation in rituals such as bathing in the Ganges and offering prayers at a Shivling.
Responding at a gathering, Dhuma, without directly naming Mann, said some individuals continuously criticise Damdami Taksal despite having benefited from the institution’s support in the past. Referring to Mann, he remarked that the organisation had helped him become a Member of Parliament and attain other positions of respect, and advised him to “keep his mouth shut” on the issue.
Dhuma defended holding 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 Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He asserted that no force in the world could stop these commemorative gatherings.
The exchange did not end there. Following Dhuma’s remarks, SAD (Amritsar) national general secretary Mahinder Pal Singh countered that Dhuma had participated in the June 6 programmes at Akal Takht until around 2012-2013. He alleged that it was only afterwards, at the behest of certain forces, that Dhuma began organising a separate event at Mehta Chowk.
With both sides standing firm, the disagreement has once again highlighted differences within sections of the radical Sikh leadership over how and where the June 1984 anniversary should be observed.
