The Indian military action carried to remove militant religious leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers from the buildings of the holy Golden Temple, Amritsar is also known as “OPERATION BLUE STAR”. This operation was carried in between 1 June 1984 to 8 June 1984. The president of Akali Dal Party Harchand Singh Longowal in 1982, invited Bindrawale to stay at the sacred temple to evade his arrest. The dark times of the history began with when Bindrawale made the holy temple arsenal and headquarters.
RAW, Indian intelligence bureau reported that CIA and ISI together are working with Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale against the government in the favor of Khalistan Movement. The intelligence agencies claimed that Weapons training was provided in the gurudwaras of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to fight against Indian Government for the Republic of Punjab. Pakistani Smugglers were caught in the routes of Kashmir and Gujarat who had relations with Khalistani Movement. After knowing all what is going in Golden temple, On Januray 1984, RAW(Research and analysis wing) prepared a plan to abduct Bhindrawale from the Golden Temple Complex. Everything was on point, but the operation never proceeded due to Gandhi’s rejection.
Many leaders went to Bhindrawale to convince him to surrender, but he declined all the proposals. Indira tried to convince Akali Dal to help her arrest bhindrawale, these things ended up futile among government and Akali’s. By 26May, the officials declared that they have failed to convince Bhindrawale and he is out of everyone’s control. Even Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Harchand Singh abandoned him where he declared,“This bird is alone. There are many hunters after it”.Giving his last interview he stated that,”Sikhs can neither live in India nor with India.”
On 1 June 1984, After the failure of Clinch between Indian Government and militants the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi ordered Indian army to launch OPERATION BLUE STAR. By June 3 1984, The Indian Army surrounded the holy temple encouraging militants to surrender but all went in vain. However, no one surrendered till 7 pm on 5 June. Taking the situation under consideration, Indira Gandhi ordered the paramilitary and Indian army to open fire at the temple. Without removing shoes, the Indian army and paramilitary entered the temple and started firing at the militants. The battle last till three long days, ending on 8 June. During the fight, 83 army men died leaving 249 injured. According to the reports, 1,592 militants were apprehended.
Sikhs from all over the world criticized the act by the Indian Government hurting their sacred believes. Many Sikh officials resigned their posts, returned their medals given by Indian government. On 31 October,1984 Indira Gandhi was assassinated by the two most trusted bodyguards Satwant Singh and Beant Singh as the revenge of OPERATION BLUE STAR. After the death of Indira Gandhi, Over 3000 sikhs were killed all over the country. This lead to alot of blood shed among Hindu and Sikhs. This was against 1984 Sikh-riots.
It’s been 36 years since Blue Star, Still the wounds are fresh.Surely,this is an unforgettable time.Healing takes time,We can heal it with love,affection and empathy among each other. Everyone has suffered in these dark times.Living in the same country with Brotherhood is the best ointment on this wound.
Eduindex News 