Only few people know about what happened between 3rd June and 8th June, 1984 at the Harmandir Sahib complex, famously known as The Golden Temple, in Amritsar, Punjab. The event changed the lives of Sikhs all over the world drastically.
Reason for the Operation Blue Star:
Jarnail Singh bhindranwale, head of Damdami Taksal, was a very influential leader among the sikh youths. He propagated original values of sikhism and urged people to follow it.
Bhindranwale, along with other sikhs demanded for a separate state for sikhs. It is called the Khalistan Movement. The movement originally started in 1940s but was in the picture in 1980s with Bhindranwale and others demanding for a separate state.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Bhindranwale started accumulating armed weapons and established a strong military group. He accumulated machine guns, rifles, rocket launchers and other deadly weapons. He had his headquarters inside the Golden Temple. The temple, being a religious place was less interfered by the police and military. Bhindranwale always opposed Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India.
The Doom Day:
Indira Gandhi planned to attack Bhindranwale and his associates. She asked General Officer Commander SK Sinha to plan the attacks on which he had some opposite proposals. He was then replaced with Arun Shridhar Vaidya as the chief of India Army.
The operation started on 1st june with military personnel attacking "Guru Ram Das Langar" building, killing 10 people. A 36 hours sudden curfew was announced on 3rd June, which coincidentally is a religious day for sikhs.
A total media blackout was exercised, no transportation facilities and water and electricity supplies being cut off.
The operation had two components- Operation Metal which was confined to Harmandir Sahib complex and Operation Shop, which included raiding Punjab to capture suspects. Following this, Operation Woodrose was launched which targeted sikhs, especially who carried Kirpan, a type of sword carried by the sikhs.
Indian Army, led by Kuldip Singh Brar, attacked the people in and around the temple, killing almost everyone coming in the way.
On the other hand, Bhindranwale was not a weak side. Men armed with semi-automatic rifles and rocket launchers and led by Ex Major General Shabeg Singh, this side did not accept defeat easily.
Firing continued from both sides with hundreds of people dying everyday. Soon, tanks were used by Indian Army on Akal Takth. The building was damaged but stood strongly. On 7th June, Indian Army had gained control on the Harmandir Sahib Complex.
Casualties:
The Indian Army confirmed the death of 493 people and 136 military personnel and 220 wounded. Some unofficial sources stated the figures at 20000 people. Later, Rajiv Gandhi stated the toll to 700 military personnel.
Aftermath:
It led to widespread protests by Sikhs, some at large scale.
This operation also led to the assassination of the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi on 31st October, 1984. She was killed by two of her sikh bodyguards. 33 bullets were fired at her.
The assassination in turn led to Anti-Sikh Riots in 1984 killing around 2800 Sikhs all over India.
Operation Black Thunder:
On 9 May, 1986, Operation Black Thunder was launched. It was a far better, well prepared operation led by the DGP of Punjab Police. Around 200 militants surrendered and 41 were killed. Full media coverage was allowed. Minimal damage occurred to The Golden Temple.
Criticisms:
Indira Gandhi was highly criticised for this operation with some stating that she wanted to become a hero in order to win the forthcoming elections.
Indian Army was criticised for violations of Human Rights.
Reason for the Operation Blue Star:
Jarnail Singh bhindranwale, head of Damdami Taksal, was a very influential leader among the sikh youths. He propagated original values of sikhism and urged people to follow it.
Bhindranwale, along with other sikhs demanded for a separate state for sikhs. It is called the Khalistan Movement. The movement originally started in 1940s but was in the picture in 1980s with Bhindranwale and others demanding for a separate state.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Bhindranwale started accumulating armed weapons and established a strong military group. He accumulated machine guns, rifles, rocket launchers and other deadly weapons. He had his headquarters inside the Golden Temple. The temple, being a religious place was less interfered by the police and military. Bhindranwale always opposed Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India.
The Doom Day:
Indira Gandhi planned to attack Bhindranwale and his associates. She asked General Officer Commander SK Sinha to plan the attacks on which he had some opposite proposals. He was then replaced with Arun Shridhar Vaidya as the chief of India Army.
The operation started on 1st june with military personnel attacking "Guru Ram Das Langar" building, killing 10 people. A 36 hours sudden curfew was announced on 3rd June, which coincidentally is a religious day for sikhs.
A total media blackout was exercised, no transportation facilities and water and electricity supplies being cut off.
The operation had two components- Operation Metal which was confined to Harmandir Sahib complex and Operation Shop, which included raiding Punjab to capture suspects. Following this, Operation Woodrose was launched which targeted sikhs, especially who carried Kirpan, a type of sword carried by the sikhs.
Indian Army, led by Kuldip Singh Brar, attacked the people in and around the temple, killing almost everyone coming in the way.
On the other hand, Bhindranwale was not a weak side. Men armed with semi-automatic rifles and rocket launchers and led by Ex Major General Shabeg Singh, this side did not accept defeat easily.
Firing continued from both sides with hundreds of people dying everyday. Soon, tanks were used by Indian Army on Akal Takth. The building was damaged but stood strongly. On 7th June, Indian Army had gained control on the Harmandir Sahib Complex.
Casualties:
The Indian Army confirmed the death of 493 people and 136 military personnel and 220 wounded. Some unofficial sources stated the figures at 20000 people. Later, Rajiv Gandhi stated the toll to 700 military personnel.
Aftermath:
It led to widespread protests by Sikhs, some at large scale.
This operation also led to the assassination of the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi on 31st October, 1984. She was killed by two of her sikh bodyguards. 33 bullets were fired at her.
The assassination in turn led to Anti-Sikh Riots in 1984 killing around 2800 Sikhs all over India.
Operation Black Thunder:
On 9 May, 1986, Operation Black Thunder was launched. It was a far better, well prepared operation led by the DGP of Punjab Police. Around 200 militants surrendered and 41 were killed. Full media coverage was allowed. Minimal damage occurred to The Golden Temple.
Criticisms:
Indira Gandhi was highly criticised for this operation with some stating that she wanted to become a hero in order to win the forthcoming elections.
Indian Army was criticised for violations of Human Rights.
