Congress and BJP in Punjab on Sunday criticised the SGPC's move to set up a memorial for those killed during Operation Bluestar in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar.
"The memorial, if constructed, will affect socio-economic and communal fabric of the state and push it back to the dark days of terrorism...the situation would not benefit anyone and would create trouble and impede the development of the state," Congress leader Sunil Jakhar said.
He alleged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is giving the entire issue "a religious colour".
Meanwhile BJP leader J. P. Nadda said the move would affect communal harmony in the state.
"Such measures were unnecessary and BJP has taken up the matter with Badal," he said.
Bricks for the memorial were laid by the five Sikh head priests along with Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh and SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar on the 28th anniversary of 'Operation Bluestar' on June 6.
'Operation Bluestar' was launched by the army on June 6 in 1984 to flush out holed-up Sikh militants led by their leader Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, who was killed along with his associates in the Golden Temple.