AMRITSAR: Prayers and samagam was organised today at Akal Takht, the top Sikh temporal seat, in memory of Dilawar Singh, the assassin of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
It was on this day ( Aug 31) in 1995 that Dilawar Singh blew himself up to kill Beant Singh within the premises of Punjab Secretariat in Chandigarh.
Representatives of pro-Khalistan groups namely Dal Khalsa, SAD ( Amritsar), Hawara Committee participated in the prayers and paid rich tributes to him.
Parents of Dilawar Singh didn’t participated as they have gone abroad. On their behalf, siropa ( robe of honour) was presented to Gurcharan Singh by Akal Takhat.
The message of parallel Jathedar Jagtar Singh Hawara was read out by his close confidant Gurcharan Singh. Pro-Khalistan Slogans were raised on the occasion.
Hawara in his message from Tihar jail asked the Sikhs to raise their voices against injustice and fight against New Delhi’s hegemony.
On the occasion, Sikh hardline groups demanded from the SGPC to install the portrait of Dilawar Singh in the Sikh Central Museum. The organizations reiterated their demand on 25th "anniversary" of Dilawar Singh.
Dal Khalsa Spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh while talking with media outside Akal Takhat secretariat said theirs demand is in the light of Akal Takht bestowing the status of "martyr" on Dilawar Singh on March 23, 2012.
He said in view of Dilawar Singh’s sacrifice to restore Sikh human rights, his portrait should also be installed in the museum, along with portraits of other martyrs of the recent Sikh struggle. He said it’s unfortunate that the SGPC has been cold shouldering this demand made by Panthic groups from the last few years.
Akal Federation convenor Narien Singh described Dilawar Singh as 'quami martyr' who sacrificed his life to end state brutalities on Sikh youth.
"His (Dilawar Singh's) contribution towards the Sikh cause should not be seen in isolation. He acted as per Sikh traditions”, said Paramjit Singh, a youth leader.
SGPC member Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Advocate Amar Singh Chahal and SAD ( Amritsar) General Secretary Jaskaran Singh Kahansinghwala also attended the samagam.