Display of Manmohan’s portrait in Golden Temple museum on hold

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has deferred the installation of a portrait of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the Central Sikh Museum located in the Golden Temple complex.

The decision to install the late former PM’s portrait was taken at a meeting by the SGPC executive body on May 13. The move to defer the installation of the portrait came following opposition by hardliners as they hold the Congress, the party to which the former PM belonged, responsible for the anti-Sikh riots in 1984.

Partap Singh, the secretary of the Sikh body, said the decision to defer the installation of the portrait “for the time being” was taken by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami following objections by various groups. “The decision will be reviewed in the next meeting of the executive body. The SGPC respects the sentiments of the Sikh community and believes that a general consensus is essential on this matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, Randeep Singh Kohli, the grandson of Dr Singh, said his family was happy when the SGPC announced to install the former PM’s portrait in the museum. “Now, they have suspended the move. We don’t have any inkling of the religio-politics behind it,” he said.

He said Dr Singh’s achievements, despite all odds, were a source of inspiration for the younger generation.

“He was the first turbaned Sikh to assume PM role for the country and brought economic revolution due to his farsighted vision and expertise in diplomatic affairs. He is remembered worldwide till date,” said Kohli.

Earlier, Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is on death row for the assassination of former state CM Beant Singh, had expressed dissent over the SGPC decision. Seeking a review of the decision, he had blamed the Congress for the Operation Blue Star and the anti-Sikh riots.

Similarly, the radical Sikh organisation, Dal Khalsa, had opposed it.

Punjab