SGPC Pays Tribute to Indira Gandhi's Assassin Beant Singh
The SGPC has offered "crores of salutations" to Beant Singh, the assassin of Indira Gandhi, marking his death anniversary with a video tribute.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has sparked conversation by posting a public tribute to Beant Singh, the man who assassinated former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, on the anniversary of his death.
"Crores of Salutations" to Beant Singh
Taking to the social media platform X, the SGPC shared a message marking the death anniversary of Beant Singh. The committee referred to him as a martyr, stating, "On the martyrdom day of Martyr Brother Beant Singh Ji, we offer him crores of salutations."
The Context: Operation Blue Star
Accompanying the post was a video message that delved into the grievances leading up to the assassination. The SGPC highlighted the events of June 1984, specifically Operation Blue Star, which saw the Indian Army enter the Sri Darbar Sahib complex.
The committee described the military action at the center of Sikh spirituality—Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib—and the seat of power, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, as a calculated attempt by the rulers of that era to undermine the dignity and sanctity of the Sikh faith. The video explicitly stated that this attack was launched under the orders of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The Act of Revenge
The SGPC's tribute framed the assassination as a response to the "atrocity" of the military operation. According to the video message, Bhai Beant Singh, along with Satwant Singh and Bhai Kehar Singh, decided to take revenge to uphold the honor and sanctity of the Harmandir Sahib.
The narrative provided by the committee asserts that on October 31, 1984, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh carried out the assassination of Indira Gandhi. The SGPC further noted that Beant Singh "attained martyrdom" during the retaliatory action that followed the shooting.
The Events of October 31, 1984
Historical records indicate that Beant Singh and Satwant Singh were serving as bodyguards to Indira Gandhi. On the morning of October 31, 1984, they shot the Prime Minister at her residence in New Delhi. In the immediate aftermath, Beant Singh was killed by security personnel at the scene, while Satwant Singh was subsequently convicted and executed by hanging.