In a controversial action, the highest Sikh temporal seat on Sunday declared the assassins of former prime minister Indira Gandhi [Images] as martyrs of the community.

At a special religious function, organised at the Akal Takht  in Amritsar [Images] that was attended and headed by its Jathedar Gyani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh were hailed for targeting Indira  for "sending the Indian Army to the Golden Temple for Operation Blue Star [Get Quote] in 1984".

Satwant and Kehar were hanged to death.