“Operation Blue
Star”, only the name represented the pleasant color. The result of the
Operation Blue Star was the bitter part of the Indian history. Born in the
violent year of 1947, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was the unfortunate spark of
the biggest communal riots seen in India.
The khalisthan movement for a better and
republic state for Punjab was still going on, opposing this were the Indian congress
party, which was dominated by Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi. In 1977,
Indira asked Sanjay to break the khalidad in the province of Punjab.
Sanjay looked
upon someone, who could have set up rival fashion. In the list of 20 names, he
was given, the new leader of the Akal Takht, Jarnal Singh Bhindranwale, in fact
the strongest of them.
He was a saint,
who was dedicated to his religion. When there was political turmoil, he was
forced to be a revolutionary and a potential terrorist. He gradually became
well known to his community, and people came to see him along with their kids
seeking his blessings. He made Amritsar his strong hold and he turned out to be
an intractable for the central and state government. The local police force
never tried to take an action on him. He was out of their league.
When his authority was overwhelming, Rajiv Gandhi told him to surrender in an interview. As a reply
Bhindranwale challenged Rajiv and government to take any measures possible on
him. The reply for Rajiv Gandhi itself indicated that he was well equipped and
looking forward for a combat.
The proceedings
at Punjab provinces were seemingly dangerous for the Indira’s congress
government. She gave the order to Commander General Kuldip Singh Brar to start "Operation Blue Star", which was to neutralize
Bhindranwale and his militants. Bhindranwale was accused for storing a huge amount
of weapons at Gurudwara in order to start a major armed uprising.
On June 1st,
1984, the Indian army started its conflict with Bhindranwale and other
khalisthan militants. The army was first surprised by the firing from
khalisthan militants with machine guns and militants had the upper hand because
of the well known architecture of golden temple. The surprise package for Indian
army continued when they came to encounter an attack from a rocket propelled
grenade. Commander General Mr.Brar, had no idea these militants could have been
so well equipped. After the incident, he came up with a dramatic plan and ordered
his troop to enter the temple with tanks.
The most
historical place for Sikhs was ransomed by both the sides. On 8th June
1984, Indian army was succeeded in their operation. The potential terrorist Bhindranwale
was a martyr for the Sikhs.
The holiest
place for Sikhs was wrecked, many innocents lost their lives. For a Sikh, it
was an inexcusable incident, which shattered their religious faith and holy
place. Beant Singh heard about the disaster. He swore himself to take life of Indira
Gandhi. Beant Singh was one of the Gandhi’s favorite guards, whom she had known
for ten years.
Despite of the
opposition from many leaders of the same party to keep Sikhs as body guards, Indira
chose Satwant Singh and Beant Singh to continue as her bodyguards. She wanted
to display there was no hatred on Sikhs and somehow wanted to convince the
community.
The tables were
ready to turndown; Satwant Singh ensured to switch his shift and managed to be
with Beant Singh during the assassination of the Indian prime minister.
On 31st
October 1984, Indira was on her way to be interviewed by British Reporter. In the middle of the walking path, Beant Singh
shot her with 3 bullets from his 0.38 pistol and Satwant Singh joined the
action with firing 30 bullets from his Sten gun into her.
The series of
tragedy didn’t come to an end. The worst
part was about to hit, the revolt against Sikhs all over India started. There were
more than 8000 deaths, including 3000 in Delhi. It is also said that Delhi
police kept their eyes close, since it was pre-planned. All the Sikh men were
killed brutishly.
There are many
eye witnesses, who are still alive mourning for losing their family, kids, husbands
etc., But, the accused have not got punished. Just for the sake, there has been
lot of committees and commissions, which seemed like they were trying to
provide justice for the Sikhs.
The CBI recently
told the court that during the riot, Sajjan Kumar had said that “not a single
Sikh should survive.” The 2011 WiKiLeaks
cable leaks revealed that the United States was convinced about the complicity
of the Indian government ruled by the Indian National Congress in the riots,
and termed it as “opportunism” and “hatred” of the Congress government against
Sikhs.
Let’s pray for
all those, who lost their life and for a placid INDIA.
