Final Ardas for the Martyrs of Hondh Chillar, Who Were Killed During the 1984 Massacre, to Be Held on November 4: Mohri

Ambala, September 26:- In connection with the massacre in Hondh Chillar village of Rewari district on November 2, 1984, in which more than 32 Sikh families and around 79 Sikhs were killed, the final Ardas for the martyrs according to Sikh religious tradition has not been performed to date. Shiromani Akali Dal Badal state president Harkesh Singh Mohri said at a press conference in Kurukshetra today that the memory, honour and final Ardas for the innocent martyrs of Hondh Chillar remain very important for the Sikh community. Sikh families were targeted in the violence that took place at Hondh Chillar in November 1984. Available records and subsequent inquiries have documented killings and damage to Sikh homes and property at the site. The Haryana government constituted a commission of inquiry headed by Justice T.P. Garg in 2011 to investigate the incident.

Shiromani Akali Dal state president Harkesh Singh Mohri said that for nearly 42 years, the kind of “final Ardas” and collective religious tribute that should have been held in memory of the martyrs of Hondh Chillar had not been conducted. The Sikh community has now decided to begin Akhand Path Sahib at Hondh Chillar on November 2 this year, and the “final Ardas” for the martyrs will be held on November 4 after the Bhog. Mohri appealed to Sikh communities across the world to reach Hondh Chillar in large numbers from November 2 to 4, participate in the Akhand Path Sahib service and attend the “final Ardas” on November 4 to pay tribute to the martyrs of 1984. He said the event is being organised to fulfil the religious and social responsibility towards the martyrs and to make future generations aware of history. He expressed hope that the administration would ensure the safety of the Sangat during the Akhand Path Sahib and final Ardas and make necessary arrangements for the peaceful conduct of the religious programme.

Harkesh Singh Mohri appealed to the Sikh community to reach Hondh Chillar for three days to pay tribute to the martyrs. He said remembering the martyrs is the responsibility of the community. Shashi Kaur Panipat, Kuldeep Singh Multani, member of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, and Gurjant Singh Khalsa were present during the press conference.