In a surprising incident, slogans of 'Khalistan Zindabad' were raised at the Golden Temple during the visit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann faction) leader Simranjit Singh Mann on the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star on Friday.

The operation anniversary also marks the death anniversary of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed during the operation.

Earlier on Thursday, Mann also joined a march organised by the radical outfit Dal Khalsa in Amritsar. The pro-Khalistan slogans were also hurled in the march on the eve of Op Blue Star.

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Operation Blue Star was carried out by the Army between June 1 and June 10, 1984, to flush out armed militants from the Golden Temple.

Apart from Mann, Panth Sewak Jatha leader Daljit Singh also joined the Amritsar march. The march began from the Burj Akali Phoola Singh area and concluded at the Golden Temple.

Akal Takht former Jathedar, Jasbir Singh Rode, said, "... The government to this day doesn't have the answer to why such a holy place of Sikhs was attacked. Sikhs were demanding their rights. They had not announced an attack against the Indian government. Then, without any notice or warning, we were attacked as enemy countries are attacked... People are celebrating today across the seven seas. People have come here across the country to pay their respect to those who laid down their lives for the sake of our religion for us..."

On people raising slogans of 'Khalistan zindabad', he said "These slogans have always been raised here and across the world. There is nothing new in this."

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Meanwhile, Dal Khalsa also called for a bandh in Amritsar on Friday. Last year, similar slogans were raised at the Golden Temple complex during the 40th anniversary of Blue Star. Most of the shops, educational institutions and other commercial establishments were closed on the call given by the radical outfits to commemorate the day.

(With ANI Inputs)