Khalra remembered as Takht holds 'ardas' at Harike Pattan
Amritsar, July 15 -- The Akal Takht, in collaboration with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Panthic organisations, on Tuesday held an ardas (prayer) at Harike Pattan in memory of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and others who disappeared during the turbulent era in Punjab. The event was organised in the wake of a ban on the 'Satluj' movie, based on the issue.
After recitation of Sukhmani Sahib and Gurbani kirtan, the concluding ardas was performed by Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, who alleged while addressing the gathering that "thousands of people, including women, children and Jaswant Singh Khalra, were murdered and their bodies disposed of in rivers".
He alleged that human rights were violated by declaring the bodies of Sikhs and Hindus as unclaimed.
He directed the SGPC to establish a "Shaheedi Pattan Memorial" at Harike Pattan with the support of the Panth.
"The site where Sikh youth were killed and their dismembered bodies thrown into the rivers will be known as the Sikh Shaheedi Pattan," he said.
Giani Gargaj also announced that the Akal Takht, through the SGPC, would comprehensively document the details of all Sikh victims from 1982 to 1995. He said these records would become part of the official archives of the Akal Takht.
Speaking to the media, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said, "Khalra fought to secure justice for the bodies of Sikhs who were cremated after being declared unclaimed."
Five Panthic organisations on Tuesday submitted memorandums to DCs across the state, addressed to Union home minister Amit Shah, seeking the constitution of a Truth and Accountability Commission to conduct an impartial probe into incidents that occurred in the state between 1980 and 1995.
The memorandum was jointly submitted by Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit), International Panthak Akali Dal, United Akali Dal, Begampura Khalsa Raj Party and the Panthak Azad Group....
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