40 Years of Operation Bluestar
Kartavya Desk Staff
#### Syllabus: Post-Independent India
#### Source: HT
Context: Slogans advocating Khalistan were recently raised at the Golden Temple complex in Punjab’s Amritsar during the 40th anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar’.
What is the Khalistan Movement?
The Khalistan movement seeks to establish a sovereign Sikh state called Khalistan in the Punjab region. It traces its origins to India’s independence and Partition, with communal violence leading to the displacement of Sikhs. The movement gained momentum with the Punjabi Suba Movement for a Punjabi-speaking state, leading to the Anandpur Sahib Resolution in 1973. By the 1980s, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s influence (a radical leader of Sikhism) and violent tactics escalated tensions, culminating in the 1984 Operation Bluestar to remove him from the Golden Temple complex.
Factors responsible for the movement:
• Pre-partition origin: Stemming from India’s independence and Partition, the division of Punjab witnessed communal violence, leading to a desire for autonomy.
• Linguistic Reorganization of States (1966): The creation of a Sikh-majority Punjab, albeit smaller, fueled calls for greater autonomy and cultural rights.
• Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973): The demand for autonomy heightened tensions between Punjab and the central government.
• Religious Identity: The distinct Sikh identity fueled the movement, aiming to protect Sikh religious and cultural rights.
• Socio-economic Factors: Grievances over socio-economic disparities and unemployment in Punjab provided fertile ground for the movement.
• External Influences: Support from Sikh diaspora communities abroad, both ideological and financial, sustained the movement’s momentum.
What was Operation Bluestar?
Operation Blue Star, conducted by the Indian Army between 1st June and 6th June 1984, aimed to flush out militants from the Golden Temple and neutralize Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a key figure in the Khalistan movement. It was followed by Operation Black Thunder (1986 and 1988)
Aftermaths of Operation Blue Star:
• Following Operation Blue Star, PM Indira Gandhi’s assassination sparked widespread communal violence.
• Anti-Sikh Riots of 1984: Following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, large-scale anti-Sikh riots erupted in Delhi and other parts of India. The government was accused of not taking adequate measures to prevent the violence and failing to protect the lives and properties of Sikhs.
• The bombing of Air India: A year later, Sikh nationalists from Canada bombed an Air India flight, killing 329 people, claiming it was in retaliation for Bhindranwale’s death.
• Human Rights Violations: During and after the period of the Khalistan movement, there were reports of human rights abuses by security forces and terrorists, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and disappearances
• Lack of Political Dialogue: The government failed to engage in meaningful political dialogue with Sikh leaders and address their concerns regarding political representation, economic disparities, and cultural preservation
• Punjab endured a prolonged insurgency until 1995, allegedly supported by Pakistan.
Although the movement was crushed following Operation Blue Star (1984) and Operation Black Thunder (1986 and 1988), it continues to evoke sympathy and support among sections of the Sikh population, especially in the Sikh diaspora in countries such as Canada, the UK, and Australia.
What should be done:
• Recognising new challenges: Recognizing the challenge posed by traditional stakeholders and new social media recruits is necessary.
• Collaborate with foreign governments: The Indian security and intelligence forces need to collaborate with foreign governments to monitor anti-India activities carried out by the Khalistani forces and restrict their funding sources.
• Enhance security efforts: The Indian government must heighten security efforts to counteract the increase in Khalistani social media activity since the opening up of the Kartarpur Corridor.
• Promote economic and social development: At the domestic level, the Punjab and Union governments and security forces must collaborate to improve the economic condition of the state to again put the state on the path of development.
• Engage with the Sikh diaspora: Indian agencies, such as the missions established in those countries, must diplomatically engage with the Sikh diaspora to tackle the misinformation campaign being peddled by Khalistani organizations. Such engagements will facilitate a positive relationship between the Indian state and the Sikh diaspora.
• Beef up security: Indian security forces need to step up their preparedness to tackle the increase in drones used to deliver weapons and drugs to Punjab.
• Engage Pakistan: In addition to Western countries, India should not back away from exercising diplomacy with Pakistan and should work to extradite terrorists hiding in Pakistan.
Conclusion:
The Khalistan movement still resonates, fueled by factors like vote bank politics, social issues such as unemployment and drug abuse, and backing from non-state actors.
Insta Links:
• A brief history of the Khalistan movement