In the surcharged atmosphere of Lok Sabha elections, even a visit to a religious place is not free from politics.

Ruling Congress in Punjab and the Akali Dal engaged in a bitter war of words on Saturday over Rahul Gandhi's visit to the Golden Temple, with the latter demanding an apology from the ruling party's president for Operation Blue Star and the former accusing Akalis of indulging in "shallow" politics.

Gandhi, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, visited the Golden Temple late on Friday night, soon after his arrival in Amritsar to mark the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

"Rahul's visit is just to gain political mileage. He should have tendered an apology for Operation Blue Star of 1984," Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said in Bathinda.

The Indian Army had carried out Operation Blue Star in June 1984 to flush out militants hiding in the Golden Temple complex.  Badal held the Congress responsible for the "attack" on the Sikh shrine, also known as Harmandir Sahib.

"Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh should have asked Rahul to tender an apology for the attack on Harmandir Sahib in 1984," she said.

Earlier, she said in a tweet, "Pb CM @capt_amarinder took @RahulGandhi to Sri Akal Takht Sahib but lacked courage to ask him admit the @INCIndia's sin of demolishing Sikhs' highest religio-temporal seat with tanks & mortars. What a contrast with demand for British apology for #JallianwalaBaghMassacre!"

The Union minister's comments drew sharp reactions from the Congress.

"Did you, your husband @officeofssbadal or his father, Parkash Singh Badal, ever apologise for your great grandfather, Sardar Sunder Singh Majithia's lavish dinner to Gen Dyer on the day of Jallianwala Bagh massacre? He was later knighted in 1926 for his loyalty and his deeds," Singh tweeted.

Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar also attacked the Akalis. He alleged that the SAD had a "small thinking" and was indulging in "shallow" politics.

The massacre took place in Jallianwala Bagh during the Baisakhi festival in April 1919. The British Indian Army, under the command of Colonel Dyer, fired machine guns at a crowd holding a pro-independence demonstration, leaving hundreds dead.

RAHUL GANDHI, BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER VISIT JALLIANWALA BAGH, PAY HOMAGE TO MARTYRS

Amritsar: Congress president Rahul Gandhi paid floral tributes at the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial on Saturday to mark the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and said the cost of freedom must never be forgotten.

Accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, state minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and some other Congress leaders, Rahul paid floral tributes at the memorial inside the Jallianwala Bagh in the morning. They also observed a two-minute silence to remember those who were massacred in the tragic incident on April 13, 1919.

"The cost of freedom must never ever be forgotten. We salute the people of India who gave everything they had for it," the Congress chief wrote in the visitors' book.

British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith also visited the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial separately on Saturday.  In the visitors' book, Asquith wrote, "The events of Jallianwala Bagh 100 years ago today reflect a shameful act in British Indian history. We deeply regret what happened and the suffering caused."

He also wrote, "I am pleased today that the UK and India have and remain committed to developing further a thriving 21st century partnership."

Gandhi arrived at Amritsar late on Friday night. Upon his arrival, the Congress chief, accompanied by Singh, went straight to the Golden Temple and paid obeisance at the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs.

SUKHBIR INDISPOSED DIDN'T ATTEND JALLIANWALA BAGH FUNCTION

Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal cancelled all his engagements for Saturday following medical advice after he complained of fever and severe stomach ache, his advisor said.

The programmes of the SAD chief for Saturday, including visit to Amritsar to pay respects to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre victims, had to be cancelled following his indisposition Friday night, his advisor H S Bains said.

All his election-related engagements have also been postponed, he added.

Bains said the new schedule of the Akali president's programmes, including his election rallies, would be recast and announced after he gets well.