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.

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.

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.

• 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

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