Akal Takht Officiating Jathedar Meets Balwant Singh Rajoana Ahead of Operation Bluestar Anniversary
Patiala/Amritsar, June 4, 2025:
Akal Takht’s officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, met Balwant Singh Rajoana—convicted in the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh—at Patiala Central Jail on Tuesday. The meeting, held just days ahead of the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar, has added a new dimension to the ongoing debate within the Sikh community over the legitimacy of current Akal Takht leadership.
According to Giani Gargaj, Rajoana conveyed a clear message emphasizing the supremacy of the Akal Takht and the importance of maintaining its sanctity and decorum. “Rajoana has said that June 6 should be observed solemnly, in remembrance of the martyrs, and cautioned against any disruptions that could diminish the significance of the occasion,” Gargaj stated.
The meeting comes amid growing tensions surrounding the planned observance of the Bluestar anniversary. Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhuma had recently demanded that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) bar Giani Gargaj from delivering the customary address from the Akal Takht on June 6, claiming that he was not a widely accepted Jathedar of the Sikh Panth.
In response, Giani Gargaj cited Rajoana’s stance that all Jathedars throughout history, including the current one, have been appointed by the SGPC—a body recognized by Sikhs as their religious and representative institution. “Rajoana was clear that undermining the authority of the Akal Takht only weakens the community. Statements questioning the appointment process risk diminishing the Takht’s spiritual authority,” Gargaj said.
This development could potentially influence ongoing deliberations within the SGPC, which is under pressure to reach a consensus on whether Giani Gargaj should lead the June 6 ceremony. The statement from Rajoana, a figure revered by hardline Sikh factions, may shift the tone of the discourse as the community navigates a sensitive anniversary marked by deep historical trauma and internal divisions.
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