India, June 6 -- The 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar was observed peacefully at Golden Temple in Amritsar amid tight security on Friday, while the Akal Takht acting jathedar did not directly deliver the traditional 'sandesh (message)' to Sikhs for the first time since 1999 though he raised issues concerning the community in the 'ardas (prayer)'.

To avoid a confrontation with Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma and other radical leaders who had opposed his recent appointment as officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj performed the 'ardas', seeking the release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners in jails even after completion of their terms); the unity of ...