Panchkula: A gurudwara in Haryana’s Panchkula has refused to hold a prayer meeting in the memory of Late Lt Gen Ranjit Singh Dyal by his family members citing that since the General had participated in Operation Blue Star in 1984.

Gen Dyal was Chief of Staff at Army's Western Command when Operation Blue Star took place and is better known for his exploits during Indo-Pak War 1965, when he as a Major captured Haji Pir Pass in Uri/Poonch Sector. He earned his Maha Vir Chakra for the particular operation.

In his lifetime he was known as the ‘Hero of Haji Pir Pass’.

The SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) has reportedly supported the decision of the Gurudwara with its President Avtar Singh Makkar lauding the gurudwara management.

Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal, has distanced himself from the whole episode.

“What a pity? A war hero and his widow are being treated so shabbily by Sikh clerics and politicians, just because they control gurudwaras. What is the take of SAD (Badal) and BJP who have their government in Punjab? Honouring Sikh terrorists and insulting nationalists has become a routine with Sikh clerics,” said Colonel Utkarsh S. Rathore.

In 2005, the Chandigarh police arrested two Babbar Khalsa militants recruited by Jagtar Singh Hawara to kill Ranjit Singh in retaliation for the Operation Blue Star.

Lt General Ranjit Singh Dyal, also died of natural causes earlier this year.