On the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star, pro-Khalistan slogans were raised by a group of individuals at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Thursday, reigniting memories of one of the most controversial chapters in India’s post-independence history.
The slogans of “Khalistan Zindabad” were chanted as Simranjit Singh Mann, leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann faction), arrived at the sacred Sikh shrine to pay homage on the death anniversary of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the militant leader killed during the 1984 military operation.
Tight Security Amid Anniversary Observances
With the sensitive nature of the day, authorities had beefed up security in and around the Golden Temple. Despite this, crowds gathered in large numbers to commemorate what many consider a tragic assault on the Sikh faith.
Former Akal Takht Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode, also a relative of Bhindranwale, addressed the gathering, stating:
“The government still doesn’t have an answer for why such a holy place was attacked. Sikhs were merely demanding their rights. We were attacked like an enemy nation, without warning.”
On the pro-Khalistan slogans, Rode said:
“These slogans have always been raised here and across the world. There is nothing new in this.”
Background: What Was Operation Blue Star?
Operation Blue Star was a 10-day military operation from June 1 to June 10, 1984, launched by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to flush out Sikh militants from the Golden Temple complex. The operation culminated on June 6, when troops stormed the premises and killed Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, head of the radical Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal, along with hundreds of his armed followers.
Bhindranwale had allegedly stockpiled weapons inside the holy site. The move shocked the Sikh community worldwide and led to widespread anger and resentment.
Aftermath and Political Ripples
The consequences of Operation Blue Star were seismic:
- Indira Gandhi was assassinated months later, on October 31, 1984, by her Sikh bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh, as retaliation for the operation.
- The assassination triggered anti-Sikh riots across Delhi and other parts of India, in which thousands of Sikhs were killed.
Fast forward to 2024, the son of Beant Singh, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, made headlines by winning the Faridkot Lok Sabha seat by over 70,000 votes, defeating AAP’s Karamjit Singh Anmol. His victory reflected a significant undercurrent of regional sentiments tied to the legacy of Operation Blue Star.
A Continual Flashpoint
Even four decades later, the legacy of Operation Blue Star continues to evoke strong emotions in Punjab and among the global Sikh diaspora. While some see it as a necessary operation to curb militancy, others remember it as a deep wound inflicted on the Sikh psyche.
The annual observances at the Golden Temple — and the slogans that accompany them — serve as a reminder of unresolved grievances, contested narratives, and enduring scars in India’s socio-political fabric.