Sikh Reference Library
The Sikh Reference Library was a repository of over 1,500 rare manuscripts in Amritsar, Punjab (India) which was destroyed during Operation Blue Star.[1]The destruction of the library is mired in controversy because of the suspicious actions of the Central Bureau of Investigation in relation to returning material.
Origin
The Sikh Reference Library was established by the SGPC with a resolution dated October 27, 1946.[2] The library had its roots in a meeting of the Sikh Historical Society under the presidentship of Princess Bamba on February 10, 1945 at Khalsa College, Amritsar which established the Central Sikh library.[3]The Central Sikh library was then folded into the Sikh Reference Library.
Historical materials
Before its destruction, the library contained rare books and manuscripts on Sikh religion, history, and culture. It also contained handwritten manuscripts of the Guru Granth Sahib and Hukmnamas containing signatures of Sikh Gurus.[4]
The library also held documents related to the Indian Independence Movement.
Destruction
According to the Indian Army white paper on Operation Bluestar, the library was destroyed on the night of June 5.[5] However, according to V. M. Tarkunde, the library was still intact on June 6 when the Army had gained control of the Golden Temple, and was in fact burned down by the army at some point between June 6 and June 14.[6] Although the Indian Army has maintained that the library's contents were completely destroyed on June 5, the SGPC has contradicted their version of events. By using witness accounts, the SGPC has alleged that material from the library was taken in gunny sacks on military truck to the Youth Hostel, Amritsar, a camp office of the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the empty library was burned by the army afterwards.[7]
References
- ^ Walia, Varinder (June 7, 2003). "Fire of controversy in Sikh library still smoulders". The Tribune. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
- ^ Walia, Varinder (June 7, 2003). "Fire of controversy in Sikh library still smoulders". The Tribune. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
- ^ Walia, Varinder (June 7, 2003). "Fire of controversy in Sikh library still smoulders". The Tribune. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
- ^ Walia, Varinder (June 7, 2003). "Fire of controversy in Sikh library still smoulders". The Tribune. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
- ^ Kaur, Jaskaran; Crossette, Barbara (2006). Twenty years of impunity: the November 1984 pogroms of Sikhs in India (PDF) (2nd ed.). Portland, OR: Ensaaf. p. 16. ISBN 0-9787073-0-3.
- ^ Kaur, Jaskaran; Crossette, Barbara (2006). Twenty years of impunity: the November 1984 pogroms of Sikhs in India (PDF) (2nd ed.). Portland, OR: Ensaaf. p. 16. ISBN 0-9787073-0-3.
- ^ Walia, Varinder (June 7, 2003). "Fire of controversy in Sikh library still smoulders". The Tribune. Retrieved 21 February 2011.