Amritsar, June 4:- In connection with the annual martyrdom commemoration ceremony scheduled for June 6—held to pay homage and respect to the Singhs, Singhnis, and children who attained martyrdom during the military assault launched by the then Congress government upon Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib in June 1984—a *Sri Akhand Path Sahib* (continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib) commenced today at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Present on the occasion of the commencement of the *Sri Akhand Path Sahib* were Shiromani Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, Jathedar Giani Tek Singh of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, and other prominent dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Shiromani Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that the first week of June is deeply painful for the Sikh psyche. He noted that in the first week of June 1984, the Congress government inflicted deep wounds upon the Sikh nation by launching a military assault on Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and other Gurdwaras—wounds that the community can never forget. During this *Ghallughara* (holocaust), not only did numerous individuals attain martyrdom, but even the sacred *Swaroops* (physical copies) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib sustained damage from bullet strikes. He added that, in remembrance of this *Ghallughara*, a commemorative ceremony is held annually at Sri Akal Takht Sahib to pay tribute to the martyrs.
While interacting with the media, Advocate Dhami also reiterated the demand for the release of *Bandi Singhs* (Sikh political prisoners). He stated that Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and other Singhs had embarked on a path of struggle against the atrocities committed against Sikhs, and they have now been incarcerated in prisons for nearly three decades. He urged the government to take an immediate decision regarding the commutation of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana's sentence and the release of the *Bandi Singhs*. Present on this occasion, in addition to Shiromani Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, were the Chief Granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Malkit Singh; Chief Secretary S. Kulwant Singh Mannan; Executive Member Jathedar Mangwinder Singh Khaparkheri; Members Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, Bhai Ajaib Singh Abhyasi, and Bhai Manjit Singh; Secretary S. Balwinder Singh Kahlwan; Manager of Sri Darbar Sahib, S. Major Singh; Superintendents S. Nishan Singh and S. Malkit Singh Baharwal; Manager S. Narinder Singh; Additional Manager S. Gurinder Singh Devidaspur; and Federation leader Bhai Kanwarcharat Singh, among others.
**Exhibition of Photographs Depicting the Tragic Aspects of the June 1984 Ghallughara (Holocaust)**
An exhibition of photographs—organized by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and displayed outside the Diwan Hall of Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib—depicts the tragedy that unfolded during the military assault launched by the then-Congress government in June 1984 upon Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib, specifically highlighting the devastation of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
The various photographs featured in the exhibition serve to narrate the atrocities perpetrated by the government. This exhibition will remain open until June 6, allowing the *Sangat* (congregation) to view it from morning till evening. The objective of this exhibition is to apprise the *Sangat*—and particularly the youth—of the assault launched against the Sikh nation by the then-Congress government in June 1984.