INTRODUCTION
The beginning of Operation Blue star is traced with the Khalistan movement of Sikh nationalists who demanded for the creation of an independent state, inside the Republic of India. The operating Blue star movement was launched by Indira Gandhi which was a military operation to remove sikhs from Golden temple who were amassing weapons over there. Major motive of the movement was to gain control over Harminder Sahib by removing Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
OPERATION BLUE STAR MOVEMENT
On June 1, 1984 major gun firing was exchanged between Government and Sikh militants in Golden Temple. The Indian army took over the control of Golden Temple and the entire state was brought under curfew. The military operation which was expected for only a few hours lasted for three days and came to be known as Operation Blue Star movement. Sikh leaders such as Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala, retired Major General Subegh Singh and Bhai Amrik Singh lay dead and various others were arrested. The entire structure of Golden Temple suffered huge damage. The Akal Takht which is a religious symbol for Sikh was nearly destroyed.
IMAPCT OF OPERATION BLUE STAR
- ASSISNATION OF INDIRA GANDHI :- Indira Gandhi got assassinated on 1st October 1984 by two of her Sikh bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, after the four months of OPERATION BLUE Star. About 33 rounds of bullets were fired on her.
- DISCONTENT AMONG SIKHS :- The Akal Takht the religious symbol for sikh which was nearly destroyed made all sikh community grow out of anger. Sikh troops all over the country marched towards Amritsar to defend their faith, who were anticipated by authorities and were killed in large numbers which hurted deep 'sikh psyche'.
- OPERATION WOODROSE :- The Government conducted another operation as Woodrose where several sikh were arrested and tortured or killed including prominent leaders of Akali Dal. Large number of sikhs youth crossed borders into Pakistan , the state got sealed and martial law was imposed, complete censorship was announced in the press while Golden Temple was occupied by the military.
- ANTI- SIKH RIOTS :- Assisnation of Indira Gandhi gave birth to Anti sikh riots all over nation especially in New Delhi where more than 3000 sikh were killed. Sikhs were brutally killed, their shops were burned, destroyed. They were burnt with kerosene and others were stabbed with blade weapons.
- THE RAJIV LONGOWAL ACCORD :- After the Assisnation of Indira Gandhi, Ranjit Gandhi became Prime Minister of India and negotiated with moderate Akali Dal sikh led hy Harchand Singh Longowal to bring back peace in Punjab for which the Rajiv Longowal accord was signed on 24 July, 1985. However Longowal was declared as a traitor by extremists and got in August 1985, while the promised reforms were not fulfilled.
- OPERATION BLACK THUNDER :- The first Operation Black Thunder took place on 30 April, 1986 to throw out militants out of Golden Temple fur which 'Black Cat' commandos were sent. Second Operation took place on 9 May1988 which was headed by Kanwar Pal Singh Gill, DGP Punjab police. Under these operations little damage was inflicted on Golden Temple.
- DISMISSAL OF STATE GOVERNMENT :- The state government got dismissed in 1987 and President's rule was imposed which came to end during elections of 1992 which was won by Congress. After the long term violence the peace was returning in Punjab. In the 1999 general elections the Congress led in Punjab over its rival The Akali Dal.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it can be concluded that the Punjab suffered a huge loss and lawlessness and violence during the 1980s. Operation Blue Star movement led by Indira Gandhi led to her Assisnation and developed anger among non sikhs which resulted in anti sikh riots. However during the 1990s the peace was recovering in Punjab.
BOOK REFERENCE ( CLICK TO BUY )
The Sikhs of the Punjab (The New Cambridge History of India)