Operation Blue Star- A brief history of Punjab.pdf

Operation
Blue Star
(01-10th June 1984)
A brief history of Punjab
(Before and after Operation Blue Star)

Operation Blue Star
• Operation Blue Star was the code name for a military attack carried out by the Indian
Army on the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, Punjab, from June 1 to 10,
1984.
• The operation was ordered by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to weaken the Dharam Yudh
Morcha, this protest was started by the Akali Party with the support of the Akal Takht to
secure Punjab’s social, economic, religious, and political rights.
• In this article, I have brought out major events form the history of Punjab which led to
the feeling of betrayal and discontentment among the people of Punjab resulting in a
decade long period of Militancy and economical erosion of wealth of Punjab. and who
felt betrayed by the suppressive politics of Central Government.

People of Punjab have been in the forefront to fight with Britishers for the control of Gurdwaras and Independence of
country. Post independent their struggle for economical, religious and political demands were dragged for a very long
period by the central government. Rise of militancy and unrest in Punjab in 1970 may be attributed to failure to
address public issues in time.
I will be discussing some of the politically important events in this article:
1. Role of Punjab in the freedom struggle.
2. Punjabi Suba Movement (1950-66)
3. Emergency Declared by Indira Gandhi (1975-77)
4. Satluj-Yamuna link canal (1976)
5. Sikh-Sant Nirankari conflict (1978-80)
6. Assination of Assassination of Gurbachan Singh, Nirankari Head (1980)
7. Assassination of Lala Jagat Narain (1981)
8. Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973-78)
9. Dharam Yudh Morcha (1982)
10. Operation Blue Star (1984)
11. by Indira Gandhi (1975-77)

Role of Punjab in the Freedom Struggle
Punjab played a vital role in India's freedom movement. Its people showed immense courage, patriotism, and
sacrifice in the struggle against British colonial rule. The state produced many prominent revolutionaries, they
participated actively in national movements, and was the site of major uprisings.
1. Ghadar Movement (1913–1917): The Ghadar Movement was launched by Indian immigrants, mainly
Punjabis, in the USA and Canada, to overthrow British rule through armed revolution.
• Founded in 1913 by Lala Har Dayal, Sohan Singh Bhakna, and others in San Francisco.
• The Ghadar Party published literature urging Indians to rise against the British.
• During World War I, many Ghadarites returned to India to incite revolt, but most were arrested, and many
were executed or imprisoned in the famous Lahore Conspiracy Case.
2. Gurdwara Reform Movement (1920s): The Gurdwara Reform Movement aimed to free Sikh gurdwaras
(places of worship) from corrupt mahants (priests) who were often supported by the British.
• The movement was led by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Akali Dal.
• It was largely non-violent and sought community control over gurdwaras.
• The struggle led to the passing of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, which granted management of gurdwaras to
the SGPC.

Cont:-
Akali Lehar (Akali Movement) : The Akali Lehar refers to the broader Sikh political and religious movement that
emerged during the Gurdwara Reform Movement.
• It also represented the Sikh response to British interference in religious matters.
• The Akali's not only fought for gurdwara reforms but also joined national movements like Non-Cooperation
and later aligned with wider anti-colonial struggles.
• The movement laid the foundation for the Akali Dal’s future role in both religious and political spheres in
Punjab and India.
There contribution and commitments to the freedom struggle were not only recognized but commitments were
given for a distinct and favorable treatment to them in independent India. A few comments are given below:
• Pandit Moti Lal Nehru: I salute the Akali's who have started the struggle for freedom and are fighting for it.
• Pandi Madan Mohan Malviya: Guru Ka Bagh Morcha has given birth to the freedom movement which must
lead us to Swaraj.
• Lala Lajpat Rai: Freedom is our birthright. The Akali's are the legitimate sons of Mother India who are fighting
for her.
• Dadabhai Naoroji: The Sikh brothers have shown us the way to freedom; no one can keep us slaves any more.

Commitment by leaders to Punjab’s population
during freedom struggle.
• Sikh leaders despite Jinnah’s offer of an independent homeland in Pakistan rejected the
proposal and chose to align with India. Indian National Congress at its Lahore session in
1929 gave a commitment, that India’s Constitution would be adopted only after
ensuring the satisfaction of the Sikh community.
• In 1931, Mahatma Gandhi, while addressing a Sikh congregation at Gurdwara Sis-Ganj in
New Delhi, assured the Sikhs that they had no reason to fear, declaring that the
Congress would never betray them. He added that if it ever did, the party would be
doomed.
• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru reiterated this assurance in 1946, stating, “The brave Sikhs of
Punjab are entitled to special consideration, and they shall also experience the glow of
freedom.”
• However, when the Constitution was finally adopted it fell short assurances given to the
Sikhs and their representative S Hukam Singh refused to sign in the final document.

Cost of Independence - Punjab was divided

Punjabi Suba movement – (1950-66)
• Post Independence Indian states were reorganized and divided based on linguistic basis. However,
Punjab was left as a united Punjab since the commission argued that Hindi and Punjabi can be
understood by each other and the Punjab is a single economic unit, therefore it shall be left as it is.
(Report of the state reorganization commission 1955:141-53)
• In the united Punjab the Congress and Akali Dal were two main political rivals. Congress party
always had an electoral advantage leaving Akali’s to always look for an alliance to form the
government. Political parties in the constant political maneuvering state to form a ruling alliances
often sidelined the basic needs of the people.
• The Punjabi Suba Movement was a brainchild of Akali’s to get division of Punjab on the linguistic
basis to get an electoral advantage. This movement was started in the 1950s. It was a long struggle
before it was accepted in 1966.
• During this movement, approximately 12,000 Akali workers courted arrest in 1955, and around
24,000 more did so during 1961–62. This movement received support from the Akal Takht.
• Mrs. Indira Gandhi, who became the Prime Minister on January 24, 1966, accepted their demand on
April 23, 1966. As a result, the Punjabi Suba was officially formed on November 1, 1966.

Did the Punjabi Suba movement do any good to Punjab or Sikhs ?
• Punjab was a truncated state after the reorganization. It lost its strategic proximity to Delhi,
as well as important industrial regions of Ghaziabad and Panipat, which became part of
Haryana.
• The scenic hill areas were carved out to form Himachal Pradesh.
• Chandigarh was designated as the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana and was placed
under Union Territory administration.
• This reorganization introduced new challenges, particularly disputes over the sharing of
river waters and the governance of Chandigarh.
• In 1965, under the influence of the Jan Sangh, a section of society declared Hindi as their
mother tongue. This declaration disrupted the previously harmonious relationship
between Hindus and Sikhs. It is important to note that RSS leaders such as Balraj Madhok
and M.S. Golwalkar had been advising Hindus since 1960 to retain Punjabi as their mother
tongue.
Cont-

• The long struggle to create a Punjabi-speaking linguistic state ultimately fell short of its
goals, leaving the people of Punjab deeply disappointed.
• This unfulfilled aspiration has remained a major reason for the persistent sense of
deprivation and neglect felt by many in the state, continuing to this day. It also
contributed to the period of unrest that followed.
• The political maneuvering of (Sant) Fateh Singh, which led to the sidelining of Master
Tara Singh, ultimately did little good for either Punjab or the Sikh community.
• Even after reorganization of Punjab in 1961, Akali’s did not gain as their fight for
governance continued which can be seen in the next slide.
Cont:

Political game of changing power
Even after formation of Punjabi Suba, Akali party could not remain in power for
its full term. The four successive Akali Govts fell due to their infighting orwere
dismissed by the Indian Government by imposing Presidential powers.
Chief Minister belonging to Akali Dal post 1965
• Gurnam Singh (8 March 1967 – 25 November 1967) - 08 months
• Gurnam Singh ( 17 February 1969 – 27 March 1970) - 01 month
• Lachman Singh Gill (25 November 1967 – 23 August 1968) - 09 months
• Parkash Singh Badal (27 March 1970 – 14 June 1971) - 15 months
• Parkash Singh Badal ( 20 June 1977 – 17 February 1980) - 32 months
• Surjit Singh Barnala (29 September 1985 – 11 June 1987 - 20 months

Employment and business opportunities
• Punjab’s economy was based on agricultural and a large number of youth proudly served Indian
Armed forces. Punjab contributed over 22% of uniformed men in Armed forces.
• On March 14, 1974, the Central Government's decision to restrict recruitment to the Armed
forces based on state-wise population as the criteria reduced Punjab’s share of induction in Armed
forces to just 2.2%. This significantly limited employment prospects of youth particularly from the
rural areas.
• The benefits of the Green Revolution by 1975 also started declining due to higher cost of inputs in
the agricultural sector. Consequently, the agricultural income also declined.
• Manufacturing Industry in Punjab was at a nascent stage and could not employ in large numbers
to give an alternative opportunity to the people.
• The Central Government's discriminatory policies led to growing social unrest and sustained
opposition to its decisions. These issues will be further discussed in the subsequent slides.

Emergency
declared by Indira Gandhi

Period of politically instability of Indira Gandhi (1969-1975)
It is important to discuss that the period of 1969-1975 was most challenging period for Indira Gandhi due to
continuous opposition to her on grounds of alleged electoral fraud.
In 1969 she was expelled from the Congress Party by Morarji Desai and other veteran leaders after infighting.
Two factions were formed: the Congress (O), led by Desai and the old guard, and the Congress (R), led by
Gandhi.
In the early 1970s socialist leaders Jayaprakash Narayan and George Fernandes organized strikes and protests
against Gandhi and her government. In May 1974 Fernandes organized a strike of railway workers that
immobilized the country’s train network for an unprecedented three weeks.
• In June 1975 the High Court of Allahabad ruled against Gandhi in an electoral fraud case filed by political
leader Raj Narain, whom Gandhi had defeated in the 1971 general election. Calls for her resignation became
louder and more frequent.

Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi (1975-77)
On June 25, 1975, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared a state of emergency throughout the
country on Gandhi’s advice.
Those days no News paper could be printed, It was the beginning of a period of severe censorship of
the press, which was largely critical of Gandhi’s assumption of emergency powers and her policies.
Sanjay Gandhi son of Indira Gandhi was allegedly responsible for executing some of the Emergency’s
worst excesses, such as forced sterilisation and clearing slums without any procedures.
Preventive detention laws were used to jail Indira Gandhi’s opponents, among them Desai, Narain,
Fernandes, and Narayan. Other jailed leaders included Charan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna
Advani, and Mulayam Singh Yadav, Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Parkash Singh Badal etc.

State of Emergency
• With the opposition in jail, the constitution was amended to expand legislative powers and limit
the judiciary's authority. Under these changes the Emergency could not be subject to a judicial reviews and
to the authority of Prime Minister.
• In January 1977 Gandhi called for a new general election and released several imprisoned political figures. It
is presumed that she was confident of winning election.
• She was soundly defeated by the Janata Party, an amalgam of opposition parties led by Desai, who became
the first non-Congress prime minister. Morarji Desai became Prime Minisrer of non-congress government.
• The Emergency was officially lifted on March 21, 1977.

Akali’s opposed Emergency declared by
Indira Gandhi (1975-77)
• The Sikh leadership opposed imposition of emergency by Indira Gandhi, what they
described as the "fascist tendencies of the Congress." The first mass protest in the country
against the Emergency—known as the "Campaign to Save Democracy"—was organized
by the Akali Dal and launched in Amritsar on July 9, 1975.
• Throughout the 21-month Emergency period, the Akali Dal continued their peaceful
protests. Every day, a group of workers voluntarily courted arrest in opposition to the
Emergency. A significant number of Akali Dal and SGPC leaders, along with workers, were
imprisoned during this time.
• According to Amnesty International report, approximately 1,40,000 people were arrested
without trial during the twenty months of Indira Gandhi’s Emergency across India.
Historian Jasjit Singh Grewal estimates that 40,000 of those arrested belonged to India's
Sikh community.

Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal:
• The very name "Punjab," meaning "land of five rivers," affirms its natural riparian rights
over the waters of these rivers. Punjab’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture,
making water resources critically important.
• The Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966 included provisions for the sharing of river waters
between Punjab and the newly created state of Haryana. However, during the Emergency
period, on March 27, 1976, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi overriding earlier arrangements
issued a new allocation of sharing of water amongst states. Under this decision, Punjab and
Haryana were allotted mere 3.5 MAF (Million Acre-Feet) of water each, while 8 MAF was
awarded to Rajasthan and 0.2 MAF to Delhi.
• Before this allocation could be implemented, Indira Gandhi lost the general elections in
1977. The new Prime Minister, Morarji Desai, found the decision to be discriminatory and
kept in abeyance. Subsequently, the matter was taken to court by Haryana, and later by
Punjab.

Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal: cont.
• Feb 1980: Indira Gandhi returned to power as Prime Minister of India. She dismissed the Akali Dal
government in Punjab, replacing it with a Congress government led by S.Darbara Singh. At the same time,
Haryana also had a Congress government.
• Both Punjab and Haryana Congress governments were directed to withdraw their appeals in court
regarding water disputes, which they complied with. This move suggested a centralization of control and
a push towards resolving the inter-state water sharing issue.
• 8 April 1982: Despite her assurances to the Akali Dal delegation that the central government would not
proceed any further, Indira Gandhi inaugurated the digging of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal at
Kapoori in Punjab. This canal was meant to divert water from Punjab’s Sutlej river to Haryana.
• This move seemed politically motivated to influence voters in the upcoming Haryana elections scheduled
for June 1982, signaling a prioritization of electoral considerations over regional assurances.
• 24 April 1982: In response, the Akali Dal launched a Morcha (protest movement) from Kapoori against
the SYL canal construction, opposing the canal that would transfer Punjab’s water to Haryana. This
agitation started after failure of talks between the Akali's and the central government. The Punjab was
betrayed yet again.

Sikh-Sant Nirankari conflict - 01
• The Nirankari movement was founded by Baba Dyal Das (1783–1855), who emphasized the
worship of the formless God (Nirankar) and sought to purify Sikh religious practices from
ritualism. They followed the basic tenets of Sikhism, which helped them gain acceptance
within the broader Sikh fold.
• However, by the early 20th century, ideological differences among them led to a split. Two
prominent followers of Baba Dyal Das, Buta Singh (1873–1944) and Avtar Singh (1899–1969),
broke away and established a separate sect in 1929.
• Avtar Singh moved to Delhi and formalized his group as the Sant Nirankari Mandal. This sect
introduced distinct beliefs, most notably the reverence of a living guru.
• After Avtar Singh, his son Gurbachan Singh took over leadership, expanding the Mandal’s
activities primarily in Delhi and other parts of northern India.

The 1978 Clash: A flashpoint
• On 13 April 1978, the administration granted Sant Nirankaris Mandal a permission to hold a
national congregation in Amritsar. This date coincided with Vaisakhi, one of the most sacred Sikh
festivals, when the Golden Temple attracts tens of thousands of Sikhs.
• The permission was seen by many Sikhs as a deliberate provocation, given the religious
sensitivities involved and the Nirankari's history opposing Sikh fundamentals.
• During this Nirankari gathering, a violent confrontation erupted between Nirankari followers and
Sikh protesters. The clash resulted in several deaths and injuries, leaving deep scars in the Sikh
community. This event intensified existing grievances and led to further polarization.
• The Sikh community saw the incident as not just a religious conflict but also an attack on Sikh
identity and autonomy. In the years that followed, the Sant Nirankari movement became a
symbol of external threats to Sikhism, fueling broader political unrest in Punjab during the 1980s.

Sikh–Sant Nirankari Conflict (1980)
• Nirankari's organized a procession in the streets of Amritsar on 13th April 1980. Unlike the
earlier 1978 event, this time a significant number of Nirankari volunteers were armed,
escalating the tension dramatically.
• Two major Sikh organizations, the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and the Damdami Taksal, opposed
the Nirankari procession. In protest, they organized an unarmed march to the Nirankari
congregation site, aiming to peacefully register their opposition. The protest march was led by
Fauja Singh, a prominent Sikh leader respected for his courage and dedication.
• As the Sikh protestors neared the Nirankari venue, the armed Nirankari's opened fire, killing
13 Sikhs. This incident marked one of the bloodiest confrontations in the conflict, deeply
shocking the Sikh community.
• The shooting triggered widespread unrest and a series of violent clashes between Sikhs and
Nirankari’s were reported in Kanpur, Delhi, and some locations in Madhya Pradesh.

Assassination of Gurbachan Singh (Nirankari Head)
• On 24th April 1980, just eleven days after the Amritsar massacre, Gurbachan Singh, the head of
the Sant Nirankari Mandal, was assassinated inside the heavily guarded Nirankari Bhawan in New
Delhi.
• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) suspected that Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a rising Sikh
religious and political leader, had conspired to orchestrate the murder, due to his strong
opposition to the Nirankari's.
• The principal accused in the murder; Ranjit Singh surrendered in 1983. He was convicted and
sentenced to life imprisonment in 1993. However, his sentence was remitted by the President of
India in 1997.
• Ranjit Singh was appointed Jathedar of the Akal Takht by the SGPC before his release, highlighting
the deep divisions and political complexities within Sikh institutions.

Assassination of Lala Jagat Narain

Assassination of Lala Jagat Narain
• Lala Jagat Narain, the influential proprietor of the Hind Samachar group of
newspapers, was assassinated on 9th September 1981.
• Jagat Narain had previously played a controversial role by testifying in court in favor of
the Sant Nirankaris during the 1978 case, which created resentment among Sikhs.
• His murder intensified the already volatile atmosphere in Punjab.

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale
in the center stage of
political battle

Rising Tensions and Political Maneuvering
12–20 September 1981: The Hunt for Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale
• Darbara Singh, then Chief Minister of Punjab, was determined to arrest Jarnail Singh
Bhindranwale, a rising Sikh religious leader increasingly seen as a militant figure.
• An arrest warrant was issued for Bhindranwale, and plans were made to apprehend
him at Chando Kalan near Hissar.
• It is reported that Bhajan Lal (then Chief Minister of Haryana) and Zail Singh (Union
Home Minister) warned Bhindranwale about the impending arrest, enabling him to
initially evade capture. Bhindranwale eventually surrendered voluntarily on 20
September 1981 at Chok Mehta.
• He was later released unconditionally on 15 October 1981 due to the police’s failure to
provide any substantial evidence linking him to Jagat Narain’s assassination.

Analysis
• The assassination of Lala Jagat Narain, a media proprietor sympathetic to
the Sant Nirankaris, illustrates how deeply the conflict had infiltrated
Punjab’s public and political spheres.
• The political maneuvering around Bhindranwale’s arrest reflects the
complex and often contradictory roles played by state and central leaders,
who were caught between enforcing law and managing rising militancy and
their political goals.
• Bhindranwale’s release without charges emboldened his position,
contributing further to his rise as a prominent Sikh leader in Punjab.
• Rise of Bhindranwale to such a position of strength is also a matter of study.

Anandpur Sahib Resolution
• On 11 December 1973, the party outlined a vision document with a long-
term perspective, advocating for greater powers to be given to state
governments and redefining State-Center relationship.
• This vision was further finalised on 29 October 1978 through the
Anandpur Sahib Resolution, which included both religious and socio-
economic demands aimed at the development of Punjab.

Anandpur Sahib resolution
The Anandpur Sahib Resolution reflected the aspirations of the people of Punjab and
included several specific religious and political demands of the Sikh community. Key
demands included:
• Inclusion of Punjabi-speaking areas and Chandigarh into Punjab
• A fair share of the Ravi-Beas river waters for Punjab
• Transfer control of the Bhakra-Nangal headworks to Punjab
• Protection against the displacement of Sikhs from the Tarai region
• Establishment of a dry port at Amritsar
• Permission to establish a bank modeled after the Punjab & Sind Bank
• A review of Centre–State relations to grant more autonomy to states
• Approval to broadcast Gurbani from the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple)
• Naming of a train as the Golden Temple Express
• Enactment of an all-India Gurdwara Act

Dharam Yudh Morcha.
• Prime Minister Indira Gandhi consistently gave a cold shoulder to the basic demands of the Sikh
community. She pursued a politics driven by electoral gains in the neighboring states and all India basis.
• Akali Dal also focused on preserving its mass politely base and hold on the politics and influence in Punjab.
• By the early 1980s, tensions had risen between the central government (led by Indira Gandhi) and the
Akali Dal due to unresolved issues and increasing dissatisfaction among Sikhs.
• The Dharam Yudh Morcha (translated as "Righteous Campaign") was a significant political and religious
movement launched in Punjab, India on 4th August 1982 by the Shiromani Akali Dal under the leadership
of Harchand Singh Longowal, with support from Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. It was aimed at securing
greater autonomy for Punjab and addressing Sikh grievances outlined in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution.
• By October 1982, the movement had reached its peak, with over 60,000 people courting arrest. The jails
were overflowing and became increasingly difficult to manage. On 15 October 1982, Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi ordered the release of all detained Sikhs, but without accepting any of their demands. This
significantly weakened the Akali Dal's position and credibility.
• A settlement was reportedly reached between the two parties on 18 November 1982, but Indira Gandhi
later backtracked on the agreement. Meanwhile, Bhajan Lal, the then Chief Minister of Haryana, began
targeting and humiliating Sikhs who were traveling through Haryana, further deepening the resentment
and unrest.

Assessment
• Peaceful movement by the Sikhs failed to get the attention of Central Government. Any
honorable settlement of their just demands was not in sight. The main stream politicians
of Punjab were marginalized by the repeated betrayal by the negotiating teams of Central
Government. They were lost their grip on the movement.
• There were excesses on the protesters by the ruling governments. This gave rise to
militancy in Punjab. A group of people were advocating armed struggle. A number of
Killing of peaceful citizen were reported during the period.
• The period also saw worst ever state sponsored terrorism by the state machinery in the
history of India. A large number of Sikh youths were killed in the fake encounters. The
Government added an additional angle to call it a Khalistan movement and projected it
as a separatist movement.
• A great opportunity for a legitimate political solution was missed. but a result of lost
opportunities for peaceful solution by the state and central government.

Indira Gandi addressed Nation on 02 June 1084
On June 2, 1984, just days before the launch of Operation Blue Star, Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi addressed the nation via a televised broadcast. In her speech, she emphasized the
government's commitment to curbing terrorism and violence in Punjab.
She appealed to the Akali leaders to withdraw their planned agitation, which aimed to
halt the movement of grain, and outlined a framework for a potential settlement to the
Punjab crisis.
The operation itself, initiated shortly thereafter, involved the Indian Army entering the
Golden Temple complex to remove Sikh militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
According to retired Gen S. K. Singh Indira Gandhi had been considering a military
operation to silence people of Punjab for much before launching operation Blue Star.
It is also said that Indian Army asked her to review fall out of such operation. She
bypassed and directedly ordered Western command chief Sundarji to act.

01st June 1984 (Friday)
.
• Punjab was placed under Curfew. All movements within and from outside states were stopped.
International borders in North India from Kashmir to Sri Ganga Nagar were sealed by 02 June 1984.
• There were 6 Lakhs military personnel deployed all over Punjab and about 1.33 Lakhs military
personnel were on standby duty for operation Blue Star in Amritsar. In additional about 2 Lakhs
personnel were available with in 25 KM distance from Amritsar.
• All cities of Punjab were put in the control of Army and various historic Gurdwara’s were cordoned off.
Joint forces of Indian Army’s various units , BSF, CRPF, STF and others under the command of Gen
Sundarji.
• First exchange of gunfire: Security forces (CRPF) fire into various buildings to assess militant readiness.
• Eyewitness accounts: Firing begins around 12:40 pm and continues until 8:40 pm, resulting in bullet
holes in the main shrine and the deaths of at least eight pilgrims, including women and children.
• Army surrounds the Golden Temple and over 40 other gurdwaras in Punjab.

02nd 03rd June 1984
.
02 June:
• 1700 Army personnel entered the complex giving cover to other 2200 soldiers in the
attack formation, As per Gen KS Brar, there were heavy causality suffered by Army.
• A BBC team is shown around the temple and shown bullet damage from the previous
day.
03rd June :
• Army over loudspeaker at 2 AM asked Bhinderwale for cease fire to remove
casualties, which he allowed. Later by 7 AM, 912 commandos were landed on the
rooftop. It is said 1 Lakh round were fired to give them cover to land.
• Thousands of pilgrims are present inside the complex for the religious festival on the
occasion of Martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev.
• No major military action is reported on this date, but the complex remains under
siege.

04th – 05th June 1984
04th June:
• A detachment of NSG commando was added to the Army fire power. Intense shelling begins. At
approximately 4 AM in the morning , Army uses 25 pounder artillery cannons, and automatic weapons
to fire inside complex.
• Another attempt by the Army to enter the complex failed.
• There was a heavy civilian presence inside since pilgrims were trapped in cross fire.Dead bodies of
women and children were seen in the Parikrama (walkway around the temple).
05th June:
• In the night at about 10.30 four battle tanks were pressed in service. They were used to fire
and demolish main building of Akal Takhat.
• Army used tanks and explosives to damages other sacred buildings in the complex. Bunga’s
and water tank with-in the complex were razed

06th June 1984
• After midnight, a major assault is launched, with tanks and heavy gunfire; the Akal
Takht was completely destroyed.
• Sikh militants begin to run out of ammunition.
• Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale is found dead in the basement of the ruined Akal
Takht the next day.
• Bodies of General Shabeg Singh (ex-Army officer), and Amrik Singh were found.

07-10th June 1984
• Fighting largely ceases by June 10 as the army gains full control of the complex.
• The Akal Takhat was badly damaged in the heavy bombardment by Indian Army.
• There is also no confirmed figure of civilian causality, however about 783 bodies were
cremated in Amritsar from 7-18 June 1984. Hoverer, it was much higher around 3000. (page
109 Tragedy of Punjab).
• Many valuable lives were also lost of Sikh soldiers who raised flag of revolt and left their
barracks and were heading towards Amritsar.
• There is no correct information available on causality suffered by Army. Casualties were much
more than reported.
• Lt Gen KS Brar informed about 83 casualties immediately after the operation, Gen PN Hoon
had reported 336 personnel killed in action and many hundred wounded.
• Lt Gen Brar after his retirement in his book put Army casualties as 3342 martyred and 5922
wounded. (page 59 Operation Blue star)

Golden Temple Complex
06 June 1984

Operation Blue Star- A brief history of Punjab.pdf

Inside Harimandir Sahib complex

Attack on other Gurdwara’s (5-7 June1984)
• From 5th to 7th June ,Gurdwara’s at other location in Punjab i.e. Patiala,
Ropar, Mukatsar and Moga etc. were also attacked by the army .
• All these actions just to satisfy ego of Prime Minster Indira Gandhi to
teach a lesson to Punjab for their sustained opposition during the
Emergency period and their after.

Aftermath
of
Operation Blue Star

Indira is Killed by her Bodyguards

Nov - 1984
.
Anti Sikh riots in Delhi
and other part of
India

Delhi genocide
Date : 31 October 1984 − 3 November 1984
Sikhs Deaths
Government Estimate about 2800.
Independent Estimate about 8000.

24th July 1985- “Rajiv – Longowal accord”
“Rajiv – Longowal accord” was signed between Sant Harcharan Singh
Longowal and Rajiv Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India which addressed
some of the issues of Anandpur Sahib resolution.
• However, the accord failed by Mid 1987 on many counts like sharing of
river water, Territorial claim of Chandigarh and Center States relationship
etc.
• Historians have written that had the demand in charter were sympathically
and rationally looked by Indira Gandhi in 1882 and later in the Rajiv –
Longowal accord much loss to the Punjab, its people and Sikhs in particular
could have been avoided.

Balwant Singh, Sant Harcharan Singh Lonewal, Surjit Singh Barnala
Arjun Singh (Mediator), Rajiv Gandhi

Operation Black Thunder
Operation Black Thunder refers to two counter-insurgency
operations carried out by Indian security forces in Punjab in April
1986 and May 1987 to flush out militants from the Golden
Temple complex in Amritsar.

Operation Black Thunder I (April 1986):
• Surjit Singh Barnala of the Shiromani Akali Dal who became Chief Minister in September 1985 after the
Rajiv-Longowal Accord ordered this action.
• This operation was conducted on 30 April 1986 by the Punjab Police and paramilitary forces to evict
militants holed up in the Golden Temple complex.
• Outcome: The operation was not very successful. His government supported a law-and-order
approach to tackle militancy but faced criticism from both hardliners and the central government.
• President’s Rule was imposed again in May 1987, dissolving the Surjit Singh Barnala government.
• The state was being governed directly by the central government through the Governor of Punjab,
who at the time was S.S. Ray.

Operation Black Thunder II
Operation Black Thunder II conducted from 08-18 May 1988 was led by the National Security
Guard (NSG) and the Punjab Police, under the direction of K.P.S. Gill, the then Director General of
Police (DGP) of Punjab.
There are accusations that KPS Gill was responsible for "multiple cases of human rights violation“
in the name of" stamping out terrorism.
Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human right activist brought into public domain illegal killing of over
25000 people mostly youth from three border district of Punjab during this period.
Khalra's efforts to bring global attention to the illegal activities of the Punjab Police during the
insurgency led to his abduction on September 6, 1996 and named missing.

Post 1984-Punjab is still Burning and solution to most of its
problem are still unanswered.
• Issues of State- Center relationship is lost in between.
• Issue of States capital, SYL still keep haunting Punjab.
• Invasion of Drugs in Punjab has harmed its population.
• Revival of un-economical agriculture sector is not getting sufficient attention.
• Issues of MSP in the agricultural sector is still pending.
• Privatization of Mandi systems is a new threat to agriculture sector.
• Spurious Pesticides and Insecticide are flooding .
• Fall in Rural literacy and commercialization of Education is affecting employability of youth.
• Industrial units have moved away from Punjab due to skewed policies of Governments.
• Lack of action by the government in developing Tech skills of rural population is a concern.

References:
1. Operation Blue Star by Lt Gen Kuldip Singh Brar (2009)
2. Tragedy of Punjab (operation Blue Star and after) by Kuldip Nayyer and Khushwant Singh.
3. Turmoil in Punjab (Before and after Blue star) an Indian story by Ramesh Inder Singh
By: Commander Balvir Singh
balvir57@gmail.com
There are many more historical events from this period
which pulled Punjab form a once a prosperous state to
presently struggling to regain its glorious position
within India.
-----
Let's remember our History our martyrs
if we forget it will happen again.

Operation Blue Star- A brief history of Punjab.pdf

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Operation Blue Star- A brief history of Punjab.pdf