The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Sikh hardliners were on the same page when they paid tributes to Harjinder Singh Jinda and Sukhdev Singh Sukha, assassins of former Army General AS Vaidya at a function organised by the SGPC at Akal Takht.
While almost the entire leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) stayed away from the 21st death anniversary of the assassins of Gen Vaidya, the hardliners slammed Akali moderates for “not attending” the function due to perceived fear of backlash from Hindu voters and the national media.
The function was organized in the Gurdwara ‘Jandey Bhungey’ near Akal Takhat in the premises of Golden Temple.Harpal Singh Cheema of Akali Dal Panch Pardhani, while paying tributes to “Bhai Sukha and Bhai Jinda” said both of them made the “Sikh quam” proud.Another function to mark the occasion was also held at Gadli, a native village of Jinda.
Priest of Golden Temple, Rewail Singh and Manager Darbar Sahib bestowed siropa (robe of honour) upon Nirbhai Singh and Bhupinder Singh brothers of Harjinder Singh Jinda, and cousin sister of Sukhdev Singh Sukha the assassins of General Vaidya.
Speaking on the occasion, Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh said “we gathered here to pay tributes to them as they are our quami martyrs who embraced martyrdom to avenge the sacrilege of Darbar Sahib and Akal Takht”.He described them as martyrs of Khalistan struggle.
Describing the assassination of General Vaidya as an act of bravery, Dal Khalsa head H S Dhami praised Sukha and Jinda for the exemplary courage shown during the trial of the case. “Instead of appealing for mercy they went to the gallows with smiling faces,” he said.
Damdami Taksal leader Mohkam Singh said the assassins of General Vaidya brought laurels to “Sikh quam”.Harpal Singh Cheema of Akali Dal Panch Pardhani, while paying tributes to “Bhai Sukha and Bhai Jinda” said both of them made the “Sikh quam” proud.