Interlinking the Complexities: Operation Blue Star, Khalistan, and the Golden Temple

PWOnlyIAS October 30, 2023 07:27 2810 0

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Context: October 31st marks the 39th death Anniversary of the former Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

Interlinking the Complexities: Operation Blue Star, Khalistan, and the Golden Temple

Remembering Indira Gandhi: The Legacy of Operation Blue Star and its Tragic Aftermath:

Indira Gandhi, was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by two of her bodyguards in response to the military operation conducted at the Golden Temple, known as Operation Blue Star.

Golden Temple: A Spiritual Haven and Architectural Marvel in Amritsar

Located in: Sri Harmandir Sahib is also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple located in Amritsar, Punjab.
Founded by: Golden Temple was founded in 1574 by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das and was completed in 1604.
Design: Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Nanak, conceived the idea of creating a central place of worship for the Sikhs and he himself designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib.

Golden Temple

Architecture:
- The temple is built on the lower level and unlike Hindu Temples having only one gate for the entrance and exit, it is open from all four sides.
- It opens on to the causeway or bridge that leads to the main building. The bridge is connected with the 13 feet wide ‘Pardakshna’ (circumambulatory path).
- The ceiling of the temple is made with gold and precious stones.
- On the top of this room stands the low fluted ‘Gumbaz’ (dome) having lotus petal motif in relief at the base inverted lotus at the top which supports the “Kalash” having a beautiful “Chhatri” at the end.
- The Temple organises the largest ‘langar sewa’ (or community kitchen) in the world.
- The temple has been renovated many times, adding features such as the marble inlays along the floor.
- Maharaja Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire of India (1799-1849) had the temple’s upper floors covered in 750 kilos of pure gold.
Sikh Scripture housed: The Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, is housed within the golden temple of Harmandir Sahib.

Operation Blue Star: The Controversial Military Mission in the Heart of the Golden Temple

Indian Army Operation:
- Where was it carried out? Operation Bluestar was an Indian Army operation carried out in June 1984 in the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.
- Mission Objective: The mission aimed to eliminate militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a former leader of the Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal and a prominent figure in the escalating Khalistan separatist movement during that period.
- Contentious Outcome:
  - Although it achieved its planned goals, the operation stirred controversy among certain members of the Sikh community.
  - They viewed the military action in their sacred shrine as an assault on their faith.
  - Even after 39 years, this event continues to be a contentious chapter in Indian history.

Origins of Khalistan: Unrest, Division, and the Rise of a Separatist Movement

Idea of Khalistan: The idea of Khalistan was born in the aftermath of the Partition of India into West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
Unrest in Punjab: Punjab, the home of most members of the Sikh community, was also divided into two because of the newly-created border.
- This led to a sense of loss among Indian Sikhs, with culturally and religiously important cities, such as Lahore and Nankana Sahib, going to Pakistan.
- Added to this, there was some discontent over a few administrative issues, like river water sharing with other states, which led to demands for autonomy and then eventually for a sovereign Sikh state.
Aid from Pakistan: It is also believed that Pakistan aided the movement with arms and funds.
Response to Autonomy:
- In response to demands for autonomy, in 1966, the erstwhile Punjab state was divided into the Hindi-speaking, Hindu-majority states of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, and the Punjabi-speaking, Sikh-majority Punjab.
- However, by the 1970s, the separatist Khalistan movement was in full swing in India and abroad.

Emergence of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale & Operation Blue star:

Jarnail Singh as the voice of the Sikhs: During a period of political uncertainty, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale emerged as a charismatic preacher, positioning himself as the voice of the Sikhs.
Supported by the Congress: Initially, Bhindranwale was supported by the Congress party to counter the influence of the Shiromani Akali Dal in the state.
Increased Youth following: However, by the early 1980s, he became a significant issue.
- He gained a following among the youth, his followers’ activities turned increasingly violent, and he himself adopted an aggressive rhetoric.
Shelter in the Temple: In 1982, he joined a civil disobedience movement initiated by the Akalis called the Dharam Yudh Morcha. To evade arrest, he sought refuge in the Akal Takht inside the Golden Temple complex.
Incidents that led up to the arrest:
- The situation worsened in 1983 when the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, was shot dead after praying at the Golden Temple.
- Following these, mutilated bodies kept appearing mysteriously in the sewers and gutters around the Temple.
- By 1984, the government decided to intervene decisively, sending in armed forces to remove Bhindranwale and his followers from their sanctuary inside the Golden Temple.

Operation Blue Star: The Siege, Assault, and Aftermath at the Golden Temple

Fortification of the Golden Temple:
- In the months leading up to the operation, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s followers fortified the Golden Temple complex, smuggling in a substantial cache of arms and ammunition.
- Major General Shahbeg Singh, dismissed from the Indian Army over corruption charges, provided extensive military training to Bhindranwale’s men.
Preliminary Shots and Imposition of Curfew:
- On June 1, prior to the army’s entry, shots were fired at the temple by the CRPF to assess the militants’ strength.
- A 36-hour curfew was imposed on June 3, with communication suspended, electricity lines cut, and media censorship enforced.
Commencement of Operation:
- The army initiated the operation on the night of June 5.
- The initial objective was to neutralize the well-defended positions within the Golden Temple complex.
- The troops faced intense resistance from militants inside.
Fierce Resistance and Tank Support:
- Troops faced unexpected resistance as militants strategically engaged them, leading to commanders calling for tank support.
- Tanks entered the complex on June 5, shelling the Akal Takht, Bhindranwale’s stronghold.
- Although tanks were initially avoided due to concerns about structural damage, they proved highly effective in subduing the militants.
Neutralizing Defences and Bhindranwale’s Fate:
- By June 6, the main defences, including machine guns and RPGs, were largely neutralized.
- Militants attempted a desperate escape, but most were gunned down.
- Bhindranwale was found dead and the remaining militants either surrendered or were eliminated by June 10.

Operation Blue Star Aftermath: Unrest, Assassination, and Prolonged Sikh Conflict

After the operation, there were reported casualties.
The operation had serious consequences.
Some Sikhs were very angry about it. This anger peaked when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984.
After her death, there were violent riots where Sikhs were targeted and killed. Some government and Congress party members were accused of involvement in these anti-Sikh riots.
The violence in Punjab did not end after the operation.
There was a lot of violence between the militant Sikhs and the government well into the 1990s.
Some people believe the way the operation was carried out was that which made the situation worse, allowing the Sikh movement to continue even after Bhindranwale’s death.

National Security Guard

The National Security Guard is a counter-terrorism unit that formally came into existence in 1986 by an act of Parliament- ‘National Security Guard Act, 1986’.
Its headquarters is located in Manesar, Gurugram.
The idea behind raising such force came in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star, Akshardham Temple attack and the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi, for combating terrorist activities with a view to protect states against internal disturbances.

The Khalistan Movement: A Persistent Quest for Sikh Sovereignty

What is the Khalistan Movement?

Separatist Movement: The Khalistan movement is a Sikh separatist movement seeking to create a homeland for Sikhs by establishing a sovereign state, called Khalistan in the Punjab Region.

Golden Temple

Geographical Spread: The geographical area of the proposed state involves land that currently forms Indian Punjab, Chandigarh and some parts of the neighbouring Indian states, most particularly bordering Punjabi-speaking areas of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Survival over years: Over the years, the movement has survived in various forms, in various places and amongst different populations.
Operation Blue Star: The movement was crushed in India following Operation Blue Star (1984) and Operation Black Thunder (1986 and 1988), but it continues to evoke sympathy and support among sections of the Sikh population, especially in the Sikh diaspora in countries such as Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Historical Genesis of Khalistan movement

Before Independence

The Singh Sabha Movement: It was founded at Amritsar in 1873 with a two-fold objective, to make available modern western education to the Sikhs, and to counter the proselytizing activities of Christian missionaries as well as the Brahmo Samajists, Arya Samajists, and Muslim maulvis.
The Akali movement (also known as Gurudwara Reform Movement): It was an offshoot of the Singh Sabha Movement. It aimed at liberating the Sikh gurudwaras from the control of corrupt Udasi mahants.
The above two movements have risen Sikh nationalism.

After independence

1947 Partition of India: Partition left Sikhs in a lot of discontentment with regard to their traditional lands being lost to Pakistan and also a mass exodus of immigrants from Pakistan.
Punjabi Suba movement: It was initiated in 1955 under Akali Dal, a Sikh dominated political party. It sought re-organization of Punjab along linguistic lines, seeking division of the state into Punjabi and non-Punjabi speaking areas. After a series of violent protests movement resulted in the trifurcation of Punjab into Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
Anandpur Sahib Resolution: It reignited the passion of Sikhs and sowed the seeds of the Khalistan movement. The resolution demanded autonomy for the state of Punjab.
All the above events have strengthened the claim of Khalistan.

Intensification of movement

Although the above events have sown the seeds of Khalistan, the Khalistan movement was intensified by the following events:

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale: He travelled across Punjab advocating a return to the Khalsa or a more orthodox form of Sikhism.
- He was Inspired by the Khalistan ideology & led the Khalistan as an extremist movement (through violent protests and killings of high-profile persons in the Indian government) and turned against the Indian government.
Operation Blue star (1984): It was conducted to capture Bhindrawale in Golden Temple Complex, but the operation resulted in a strong anti-India sentiment.
The assassination of Indira Gandhi: The then PM Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh guards in 1984. Her killing was followed by wide-spread riots against the Sikhs in Delhi & other parts, the genocide of Sikhs across India fuelled more anti-India sentiment.
Radicalization of youth: Manifold extremist groups like the Khalistan Liberation Force, Khalistan Commando Force, Babbar Khalsa, and others gained prominence and roamed around freely across Punjab. Which led to more polarization and radicalization of youth by these groups.
Role of Pakistan: Pakistan’s ISI tried to foment the violence by providing support to extremist groups.
Referendum 2020: Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in its London Declaration has announced to hold the first-ever non-binding referendum among the global Sikh community with the goal of re-establishing Punjab as a nation-state.

Khalistan Movement Resurgence: Global Implications and Local Realities

At the present, Khalistan movement is a dormant movement in India. It does not hold much traction in the urban or local populace of Punjab.
However, the movement gets ideological support from Sikhs living in Canada, UK or USA. These people include many who remember the bad old days of the 1980s, and thus the support for Khalistan remains stronger there.
The recent surge in violence by Khalistani Outfits:
- In the recent past, several incidents of Khalistani extremists attacking Hindu temples in Australia and Canada have come to light.
- A parade organised by pro-Khalistani groups in Ontario’s Greater Toronto area on June 4 saw a tableau depicting former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
- The United Kingdom (UK) witnessed a violent protest by Khalistan extremists outside the Indian High Commission (HC), in March 2023.
- Before that, UK-based Khalistanis protested outside the Indian HC in 2018 and in October 2022.

Conclusion:

The events surrounding Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple remain a moving testament to the enduring complexities of the Khalistan movement, spanning from its historical origins to its present global implications. The repercussions of this tumultuous history continue to shape the socio-political landscape, emphasizing the need for continued understanding and reconciliation

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Golden Temple FAQs

Operation Blue Star was an Indian military operation conducted in 1984 to remove militants, led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab.

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was a Sikh preacher and leader who played a significant role in the Khalistan movement, advocating for a separate Sikh state.

Operation Blue Star was controversial because it led to civilian casualties and damage to a revered religious site, sparking anger and resentment among Sikhs.

After the operation, there were violent riots, especially in 1984, targeting Sikhs. The violence continued, leading to ongoing conflict between militants and the government into the 1990s.

Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India who was assassinated in 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for Operation Blue Star, which they perceived as an attack on their community.

The Golden Temple, or Sri Harmandir Sahib, is a revered Sikh religious site in Amritsar, Punjab, founded in 1574. It holds the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scripture.

The NSG is a counter-terrorism unit established in 1986 to combat terrorist activities. It was formed in response to incidents like Operation Blue Star and other attacks on India's security.

The Khalistan movement emerged due to the partition of India and the division of Punjab, leading to a sense of loss among Sikhs and demands for a separate Sikh state.

In response to autonomy demands, Punjab was divided in 1966 into Hindi-speaking Himachal Pradesh, Hindu-majority Haryana, and Punjabi-speaking, Sikh-majority Punjab.

Major General Shahbeg Singh, though dismissed from the army, provided military training to Bhindranwale's followers and played a role in fortifying the Golden Temple complex during Operation Blue Star.

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Interlinking the Complexities: Operation Blue Star, Khalistan, and the Golden Temple

Remembering Indira Gandhi: The Legacy of Operation Blue Star and its Tragic Aftermath:

Operation Blue Star: The Controversial Military Mission in the Heart of the Golden Temple

Origins of Khalistan: Unrest, Division, and the Rise of a Separatist Movement

Emergence of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale & Operation Blue star:

Operation Blue Star: The Siege, Assault, and Aftermath at the Golden Temple

Operation Blue Star Aftermath: Unrest, Assassination, and Prolonged Sikh Conflict

The Khalistan Movement: A Persistent Quest for Sikh Sovereignty

What is the Khalistan Movement?

Historical Genesis of Khalistan movement

Khalistan Movement Resurgence: Global Implications and Local Realities

Conclusion:

Golden Temple FAQs

What was Operation Blue Star?

Who was Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale?

Why was Operation Blue Star controversial?

What was the aftermath of Operation Blue Star?

Who was Indira Gandhi, and how was she connected to Operation Blue Star?

What is the Golden Temple, and why is it significant?

What is the role of the National Security Guard (NSG) in India?

Why did the Khalistan movement emerge?

How did the government respond to demands for autonomy in Punjab before Operation Blue Star?

What was the significance of Major General Shahbeg Singh in Operation Blue Star?

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