JALANDHAR: Much to the embarrassment of the ruling Congress, Sikh leaders conferred the honorific of “great martyr” on Beant Singh, an assassin of Congress leader Indira Gandhi, at a function organized by the Dal Khalsa, and hailed his act to mark his 22nd "martyrdom" day at Jalandhar on Oct 31.

Significantly, Jathedar of the Takht Damdama Sahib Balwant Singh Nandgarh accorded the status of "martyr" to Beant Singh and observed that his sacrifice was in accordance with the greatest Sikh traditions.

Jathedar Nandgarh honoured Bibi Amrit Kaur daughter of Shaheed Beant Singh by presenting her with siropa (robe of honour) and shawl. Mr Amrik Singh, the father of Avtar Singh Gola who was shot dead by cat turned police inspector Gurmit Singh Pinki 5 years ago, was also honoured by the organizers. Jathedar Nandgarh equated the sacrifice of Beant Singh with those of martyrs who had restored the honour of the Sikhs in history. He said Beant Singh embraced martyrdom to avenge the desecration of Sikh religious places. He said had Beant Singh not punished Indira Gandhi, none would have believed in heroic deeds of Sikhs of 18th and 19th century .A large number of political activists representing different factions and groups participated in the convention held to pay tributes to Beant Singh, who was shot dead by security guards of the slain PM minutes after he assassinated Mrs Gandhi at her residence on this day 22 years ago.

The resolution was adopted stating that Beant Singh has attained the status of a 'martyr' as per Sikh tradition and concept of 'martyrdom'. His name will always shine in the galaxy of martyrs that are remembered by all Sikhs in their daily prayer (Ardas).

Eulogizing the sacrifice of Beant Singh, the party president Satnam Singh Paonta sahib said it was not in the Sikh temperament to give in to repression. He said Mrs Gandhi committed a sin by ordering the army to storm Darbar Sahib in June 1984. While speaking on the occasion, the former president of the organization H S Dhami said his party (Dal Khalsa) would always place community's interest first. "Sikh interest and principles are supreme. There cannot be any compromise on that. We will try to protect national interest of Sikhs to the utmost". Others who paid tributes to Beant Singh included Dr Manjinder Singh & veteran Akali leader Jagjit Singh Gaba