Indira’s assassins eulogised as ‘martyrs’

Held under the aegis of the Sikh Student’s Federation at Moti Bagh Gurdwara, the event saw a ‘bhog’ being organised “in the memory” of Gandhi’s killers — Kehar Singh, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh — and recitation of the Akhand Path.

The ceremony witnessed the assassins of the former PM being described as “martyrs of the Sikh Panth”. Head granthi or priests of the gurdrawa later presented “siropas” (robe of honour) to the widow of Kehar Singh, who resides in Delhi.

Present at the bhog was former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief Avtar Singh Hit, chairman of “Dharam Prachar committee” of DSGMC Paramjit Singh and Sikh Students Federation president Gurmeet Singh.

“The Akali Takht, which is the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, has already declared Beant Singh, Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh as ‘shaheeds’ (martyrs) and we are only commemorating their death anniversary,” Gurmeet Singh said.

Parminder Pal Singh, spokesperson of Delhi unit of Shiromani Akali Dal and DSGMC said, “The speakers at the bhog ceremony eulogised Kehar Singh, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh for their supreme sacrifice for the Sikh panth. People also

said if Nathuram Godse’s anniversary can be celebrated by Hindu Mahasabha why can’t the Sikhs mark the death anniversary” of the three.

Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh were hanged on January 6 for Gandhi’s death. Beant Singh was shot dead at the time of assassination on October 31.