"This is most shameful for UK government since it has now admitted having advised the Indian government on killing of innocent devotees. Its head should tender unconditional apology at the Golden Temple," Akal Takht chief Gurbachan Singh told TOI.
According to reports, UK's foreign secretary William Hague on Tuesday informed his parliament that they had advised India in planning Operation Bluestar. However, Hague maintained that the then PM Margret Thatcher's government had limited itself in purely advising its Indian counterpart and that too at an early stage of operation. "It had limited impact on the tragic events that unfolded at the temple three months later," said the report quoting Hague.
Avtar Singh Makkar, president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), said, "It is condemnable that world's known democracy had advised Indian government on attacking the Golden Temple with lethal weapons." He said the admission of UK government about its role behind
Operation Bluestar has left the Sikhs feel cheated for which it should seek pardon. Makkar said, "The UK Prime Minister should visit the holy place, which was ruined by his government's advice, to tender apology."
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) chief Manjit
Singh GK said, "Besides tendering apology, the UK government should provide details of advice given by it to the then Indian government for carrying out the attack on the Golden Temple."
GK said Sikhs had historical ties with UK and had contributed to its development. "But now, we are deeply hurt to know its role in the Operation Bluestar," he said.
Chief of Sikhs' prominent seminary Damdami Taksal and head of Gurmat Sidhant Parcharak Sant Samaj, Harnam Singh Khalsa, said at least UK showed the courage to admit its role in the Operation Bluestar. "An unconditional apology by the UK Prime Minister will help soothe the hurt feelings of Sikhs," he said.
Sikh radical organization Dal Khalsa's spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh said, "Hundreds of innocent pilgrims were killed during the assault. UK government will have to share its responsibility in the killings of innocent Sikhs."
Founder president Sikh Foundation, Switzerland, Karan Singh said, "The admission by UK government means that it was co-partner in the killing of Sikhs". Demanding apology would not serve the purpose or put balm on the wounds of Sikhs but it would at least make the international community aware of UK's intentions towards Sikh.
"It is a matter of shame that a sovereign country sought help from UK to attack Sikhs," said American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee convener Pritpal Singh.
President of Center for Sikh Studies, Switzerland, Gurdeep Singh said, "It is sad that UK government who with the help of Sikhs had conquered half of the world had betrayed the Sikhs". He said not only UK but there might be other countries also involved in Operation Bluestar.
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