Harnam Singh Dhumma assumes title of Bhindranwale
By K S Chawla-
AMRITSAR: Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma alias Khalsa, head of the Damdami Taksal has assumed the title of Bhindranwale. The founder of the Damdami Taksal Baba Sunder Singh was from village Bhindranwale in Moga district and since then the head of the Damdami Taksal which has its headquarters at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash, Chowk Mehta is known as Bhindranwale.
The function was held at Chowk Mehta to observe the ‘Ghalughara Diwas’ genocide day in memory of those killed during the operation blue star. Baba Sunder Singh of Bhindranwale was succeeded by Sant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. After the death of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Baba Thakar Singh acted as head of the Taksal.
Bhai Ram was succeeded as head of the Damdami Taksal and the SGPC and Akal Takht had even recognized him as head of the Damdami Taksal and presented him a ‘Dastar’ turban in recognition of the same. But later the Shiromani Akali Dal led by Sukhbir Singh Badal recognized Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma as head of the Taksal. Amarjit Singh Chawla and Rajinder Singh Mehta-members of the SGPC who were close to Sant Jarnail Singh and were detained in Jodhpur jail mediated and brought Dhumma close to the Akali Dal.
Bhai Ram Singh is heading a parallel Sant Samaj and has challenged the leadership of Baba Dhumma. He has also created problems for Baba Dhumma by demanding that all those who were killed during the militancy including the ‘martyrs’ of April 13, 1978 be included in the list at Shaheedi Yadgar constructed in memory of Sant Jarnail Singh at Harmandir Sahib complex. The matter is lying with the Sikh high priests for settlement who have kept it pending and are not likely to take a decision soon.
SGPC had entrusted the kar sewa to Damdami Taksal with a promise that no photograph of any slain leader would be put up nor any names be inscribed in the memorial. But the Taksal has inscribed some names and also put up pictures of Sant Jarnail Singh and some other leaders including that of Bhai Amrik Singh and Major General Shahbeg Singh of Bangladesh war. The picture of Bhindranwale was later removed by SGPC.
While observing ‘Ghalughara diwas’ at Akal Takht the Sikh high priests and SGPC president avoided the mention of the Shaheedi Yadgar but honoured the families of slain leaders.
However, Akal Takht Jathedar Gurcharan Singh while participating at a function in Chowk Mehta at Taksal headquarters stated that no change would be made in the structure of the Shaheedi Yadgar at Harmandir Sahib. What mediation would the jathedar Akal Takht do in the dispute after his statement at Chowk Mehta.
The core committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal has setup a three member committee comprising SGPC Chief Avtar Singh Makkar, Bikram Singh Majithia Revenue Minister and Maheshinder Singh Grewal, advisor to the Chief Minister to have dialogue with the Sikh priests and Damdami Taksal to find out a solution. The BJP has already protested against the constructed of the ‘shaheedi yadgar’ and installation of pictures of Sant Jarnail Singh and other leaders.
Durgiana Mandir Managing Committee has also decided to construct a memorial in memory of those killed during the militancy in Punjab. This would definitely create division among the two communities in Punjab.
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dhumma-assumes-title-of-bhindranwale/80697#sthash.GMpZezXW.dpuf
