The Sikh community will accept Khalistan, a separate state for Sikhs, if the government offers it, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said on Saturday.

The Jathedar (head priest) of Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat of Sikhs) was talking to the media on the 36th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, which was carried out in 1984 to flush out heavily-armed terrorists holed up in the Golden Temple.

Asked if the demand for Khalistan was justified, Singh said, “If we get it, then what else do we need?”

“If the Government of India offers us, then we will accept it,” he noted.

“Which Sikh in the world does not want it?” Singh added.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Gobind Singh Longowal also endorsed the views of the Akal Takht jathedar and said if Khalistan is given to the community, it would be acceptable to Sikhs.

To a question on pro-Khalistan slogans raised at the Golden Temple complex, Harpreet Singh said, “There was nothing wrong in it. But they should have done it after the conclusion of the religious programme which was in progress at the Akal Takht.”

Earlier in the day, pro-Khalistan slogans were raised in the premises of the Golden Temple here to mark the 36th anniversary of Operation Bluestar.

Around a hundred Sikh activists led by Imaan Singh Mann, son of President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and former MP Simranjit Singh Mann, raised pro-Khalistan slogans at the Akal Takht in the premises of the Golden Temple on Saturday.

'Parallel Jathedar' of Akal Takht Dhian Singh Mand, who entered the premises with the Mann-led group, addressed the gathering.

Members of Sikh hardliner outfit Damdami Taksal along with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee officials honoured the families of those who were killed during Operation Blue Star, which was carried out in 1984 to flush out heavily-armed terrorists holed up in the Golden Temple.

The main programme to honour such families was organised by the Akal Takht.

Addressing the gathering, Giani Harpreet Singh said the Sikh community will always remember the unhealed wounds of Operation Blue Star.

There was heavy barricading by police around all entry points to the Golden Temple.

Due to entry restrictions in view of the coronavirus pandemic, not more than 1,000 people gathered at the shrine.

Usually more than one lakh people visit the shrine on this day every year.

Earlier in the day, there was a minor scuffle between policemen and the group led by Maan as they were initially denied entry inside the Golden Temple.

Maan sustained a foot injury during the scuffle.

Later, the group was allowed entry following intervention of senior police officers present on the spot.