Amid tight security arrangements, members of various Sikh organizations participated in the 41st Operation Blue Star anniversary observed peacefully at the Akal Takht (Eternal Throne, AT) on 6 Jun. Officiating AT Jathedar (leader) Kuldeep Singh Gargajj neither delivered an address nor felicitated the families whose near and dear ones were killed during the Army operation in 1984, as done historically. However, Giani Gargajj performed the ardas (prayers) in which he raised several issues, including the 'targeting of Sikhs in India and abroad,' the concept of a 'Sikh homeland,' and 'discrimination against Sikhs.' Dal Khalsa activists, and supporters of former Member of Parliament Simranjit Singh Mann-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and former MP Dhyan Singh Mand raised pro-Khalistan slogans. Dal Khalsa activists also carried placards bearing portraits of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who was once the head of Damdami Taksal (Sikh seminary, DT). Current DT head Harnam Singh Dhuma had earlier objected to Gargajj delivering an address to the Sikh community and felicitating the families. Dhuma’s reason for objecting was that Giani Gargajj’s appointment violated Sikh maryada (religious protocol). Upon Giani Gargajj’s refraining from making the speech, Dhuma said he 'felt relieved.' At the root of the conflict is a contest between Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and DT for control over Sikh institutions and religious affairs. On the same day, DT made it a point to invite two Takht (Throne) Patna Sahib representatives—Patna Sahib head granthi (hymns’ reciter) Giani Baldev Singh and granthi Gurdial Singh—and gave them prominence at a function held at its Mehta Chowk headquarters. Both representatives were barred by AT on 21 May from community services. During the tenure of former SAD head Parkash Singh Badal, Dhuma was close to the party. But now DT seems to have drifted towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In November 2024, Dhuma had supported the BJP in the Maharashtra elections. In February 2025, Dhuma participated in Hindu rituals while taking a holy dip in river Ganges at the Hindu religious Maha Kumbh Mela (huge gathering) (earlier coverage).
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