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Operation Blue Star

Operation Blue Star was a major military operation carried out by the Indian government in June 1984. Its primary objective was to remove Sikh militant leader Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed followers from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab.

  • Operation Blue Star was a major military operation carried out by the Indian government in June 1984. Its primary objective was to remove Sikh militant leader Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed followers from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab.
  • The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest shrine in Sikhism and holds immense religious and cultural significance for Sikhs worldwide. In the early 1980s, Bhindranwale and his followers fortified themselves inside the temple complex, using it as a base for their separatist activities and advocating for the creation of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.
  • The situation in Punjab had escalated into a crisis, with widespread violence, civil unrest, and armed clashes between the militants and security forces. The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, decided to take decisive action to quell the growing unrest and restore law and order.
  • On June 3, 1984, Operation Blue Star was launched. The operation involved the Indian Army surrounding the Golden Temple complex and engaging in armed conflict with Bhindranwale’s armed supporters who were inside. The operation lasted for several days and resulted in heavy casualties and significant damage to the Golden Temple.
  • The decision to launch the military operation in such a revered religious place was highly controversial and had widespread consequences. Following Operation Blue Star, there were massive protests and outrage within the Sikh community, leading to increased tensions and violence across India.
  • Tragically, Operation Blue Star also triggered a chain of events, including the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in October 1984. This assassination led to anti-Sikh riots in Delhi and other parts of the country, resulting in the loss of thousands of Sikh lives and causing significant trauma within the Sikh community.
  • Operation Blue Star remains a deeply sensitive and contentious chapter in India’s history, and its legacy continues to be a subject of debate and reflection. It had a profound impact on the relationship between the Indian government and the Sikh community, shaping the political landscape of Punjab and India as a whole.