PATIALA; The SGPC president, Mr. Gurcharan Singh Tohra, said that a panel of five retired Sikh judges should be constituted to identify those responsible for Operation Bluestar in June 1984.
Addressing a meeting held in memory of Mr. Hardial Singh Rajla, a former MLA who was killed in a militant attack while traveling with Mr. Tohra near Ludhiana the SGPC chief said if he was found guilty in any way regarding the storming of the Golden Temple by the Army, he would face any punishment suggested by the Sangat and retire from politics.
He was referring to the allegation by militants that he had a hand in Operation Bluestar. Indirectly referring to rumors that the Punjab Assembly was being revived, Mr. Tohra scoffed at reports that he would be installed as Chief Minister.
He criticized the Prime Minister, Mr. VP Singh for saying in his Independence Day address that the government would vanquish the militants with “hathiar” (arms). Mr. Tohra said “piar” (love) should be used to win over the militants.
He pleaded for the implementation of the Anandpur Sahib resolution for meeting the people’s regional aspirations.
Among the others who spoke were Mr, Jagdev Singh Sandhu, Mr. Sardara Singh Kohli, Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajara, all former Ministers, Principal Satbir Singh, Mr. Baldev Singh Sibia, Mr. Shanti Kumar Jain and Sant Hardev Singh Dulowal.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 7, 1990
