Operation Blue Star was a military operation conducted by the Indian armed forces to remove Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale and his supporters from Akal Takht (Holy site for Sikh Religion) who were leading the Khalistan Movement.
Khalistan Movement is a Sikh Nationalist Movement which seeks to create a separate country in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. The word Khalistan means 'The land of pure'.
Sikhism and Sikh community holds a important place in India's history. The city of Amritsar, Punjab, India was founded by the 4th Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. Guru Arjan Dev (5th Guru) constructed the Harmandar Sahib (popularly known as Golden Temple) in the year 1605. Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh used to rule the Punjab region with Lahore (present day - Pakistan) as their capital.
In 1920, Akali Dal is formed. It was the political arm of Sikh religious body. It is the second oldest political party in India after Indian National Congress. In 1947, Punjab state is divided between India and Pakistan. A large area of Punjab including Lahore goes to Pakistan. At that time, Sikh groups demanded a Sikh majority state, but the proposal was rejected by the State Reorganization Committee in 1956. In 1966, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh separate from Punjab through Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966.
Jagjit Singh Chauhan, in 1969 moved to the United Kingdom where he started the Khalistan Movement demanding a separate country. He was previously elected as member of Punjab assembly in 1967 and later served as the Deputy Speaker and Finance Minister. He was invited by the Sikh diaspora across the globe and gathered a huge support.
In 1973, Anandpur Sahib Resolution was taken up by Akali Dal which had objectives like transfer of Chandigarh city to Punjab, enactment of All India Gurudwara act, Transfer of Punjabi speaking areas of neighboring state to Punjab etc. Akali Dal never demanded a separate country but some autonomy in Punjab state. This resolution was not taken up much seriously and was later raised by people like Bhindrawale in 1987. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India called this resolution as 'Secessionist Document'.
After the emergency was over in 1977, Indira Gandhi led government lost the next election in Centre as well as in Punjab. Janta Dal formed the government in Centre and Akali Dal in Punjab. The Congress government wanted a leader with charismatic personality who could once again bring Sikh votes towards Congress. Here rises the religious scholar, Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale.
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was a Sikh religious scholar who was head of Damdami Taksal (Sikh cultural and educational organization) in 1977. He came to limelight when he first opposed Nirankari Sikhs and was a part of deadly clashes with Nirankaris in 1978. The difference between Nirankari Sikhs and Orthodox Sikhs is that Orthodox Sikhs believe that Guru Grant Sahib (Religious book of Sikhs) is the last Guru of Sikhism but Nirankari Sikhs believe that Guru can be present there in any human form as well.
Giani Zail Singh (later became the President of India) advised Sanjay Gandhi (son of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who used to hold a very important place in Indian mainstream) to fund and support Bhindranwale to counter Akali Dal's hold over Sikh shrines. Later, Bhindranwale came to popularly known as Saint Soldier.
In 1980, Indian National Congress wins the Punjab election and Darbara Singh was made the Chief Minister. He did not used to endorse the ideology of Bhindranwale. In the same year, Baba Gurubachan Singh, third guru of Sant Nirankari sect was killed in Delhi and Bhindranwale and his supporters were accused of this act. In 1981, census of India started. Lala Jagat Narain, editor of Punjab Kesari newspaper was murdered as paper had espoused the cause of Hindi language in Punjab state. Bhindrawale was arrested but was soon released as violence erupted in Punjab in his support.
In 1982, Akali Dal under leadership of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal in partnership with Bhindranwale started Dharam Yudh Morcha which aimed at fulfilling the objectives of Anandpur Sahib Resolution. In response, there was a heavy crackdown by Congress government. Same year, Asian Games was set to take place in Delhi. There was a threat of protest during the Asian games which could ruin the image of India. This lead to frisking of Sikhs at Punjab border.
On 25 April 1983, DIG of Police, Jalandhar Range, A.S.Atwal was shot dead at the stairs of Golden Temple. His corpse remained on temple steps for hours as Police force feared further firing from the militants. In October 1983, 6 Hindu bus passengers were killed. President's rule was imposed in Punjab and state emergency was called. Till then militants had gathered arms and weapons inside Harmandar Sahib.
On 15 December 1983, Bhindranwale and his supporters took control over Akal Takht. Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi sent P.V. Narasimha Rao to negotiate with Akali Dal who in turn will talk to Bhindranwale but he rejected all the proposals. During 1983-84, tenisons among Hindus and Sikhs arose which lead to killing of people from both the communities in nearby states like Haryana.
Curfew was announced in Punjab state on 1 June 1984. Communication was blocked and army and paramilitary took over. News reporters were asked to leave Amritsar. Operation Blue Star was started on 3 June to 6 June 1984 which aimed to finish out militants led by Bhidranwale hiding inside Akal Takht. 3 June was the anniversary of martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev and there was army blockade on Golden Temple the same day. Pilgrims inside were stopped from leaving by Bhindranwale's men.
Major General Kuldeep Singh Brar was leading the army operations. Militants inside Akal Takht were led by Major General Shahbeg Singh who was a retired army officer and participated in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
In the evening of 5 June, heavy firing took place between both the sides. Army took heavy casualties as they underestimated the firepower of the militants. They had rocket launchers, machine guns, positioned snipers and anti tank guns.
Objective of military was achieved but it was a big political blunder for Indira Gandhi led government and this operation faced a huge criticism. Religious feelings of Sikhs all over the globe were hurt. 83 Army soldiers died and 248 were injured and 500 militants were killed during the operation. Right after Operation Blue Star there was heavy crackdown in rural Punjab to crush remaining militants.
The outcome of this operation was not good. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated on 31 October 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards. In 1985, Air India flight named 'Kanishka' from Montreal to Delhi was bombed and 329 passengers were killed. The same year, on 20 August Harchand Singh Longwal of Akali Dal was murdered for negotiating with Rajiv Gandhi over major issues and signing the Punjab Accord. General A.S. Vaidya, former Army Chief was assassinated in Pune in 1986.
Indira Gandhi's assassination led to Anti Sikh riots in 1984. Delhi was very adversely affected due to this. Around 3000 Sikhs were killed. Congress politicians Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler were also charged for their roles in the riots.
Militancy was still not over in Punjab. Operation Black Thunder was carried out twice - in 1986 and 1988. It aimed to flush out extremists who had taken shelter inside Harmandar Sahib once again. IPS officer K.P.S. Gill was given the charge and NSG (National Security Guard) was called. Media was not restricted this time and there was no harm to the religious buildings.
Note : There is no intention to hurt any religious or political sentiments. Article is for educational purposes only
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