The operation Blue Star is the only event in the history of independent India when state declared was on holiest of holy Sikh shrines in the name of eliminating opposition to its policies.

1. Why did it happen ?
Before and After
Operation Blue Star
(01-06 June 1984)
Was it avoidable?

2. Unrest in Punjab
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of
Independent India where the state went into war with its own
people. Even after about 35 years it is not clear if it was
culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political
game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic
setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to
denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle
since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to
militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and
civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of
innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated
with this movement.

3. The role of Punjab in the freedom struggle was recognized by great
leaders who from time to time had assured them of a special status.
However, politicians made no such effort rather their policies for
Punjab looked like neglecting them. Some of the great leaders had
assured them as under:
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.

4. Cont :-
• Mahatma Gandhi (1931) while addressing a Sikh congregation at Gurdwara Sis Ganj,
New Delhi assured Sikh that they have no reason to fear as Congress will never betray
Sikh. If they do the party will be doomed.
• Pandit Nehru followed up the same assurance in 1946 and said “The brave Sikhs of
Punjab are entitled to a special consideration and they shall also experience the glow of
freedom”.
• Sikh leaders despite Jinnah’s call to give a free homeland to Sikhs with-in Pakistan
rejected going with them and insisted on joining India. Congress in its party session in
Lahore (1929) had resolved that India’s constitution will not be adopted without the
satisfaction of Sikhs. However, when the constitution was adopted, the Sikh
representative S.Hukam Singh refused to sign as it fell short of the assurance given to
Sikhs.

5. Punjab was divided

6. Punjabi Suba movement - 01 Nov 1966
• Punjab has seen a period of divide among major political parties i.e. Congress
and Akali’s since Independence. This game of political uncertainty pushed
Punjab into turmoil on a number of occasion.
• The Punjabi Suba movement was started in 1950. It was aimed at creation of
a Punjabi speaking state. In this about 12000 and in 1955 and later during
1961-62 about 24000 Akali’s court arrested. The movement had support of
Akal Takhat.
• Mrs. Indra Gandhi who became the Prime Minister on January 24th 1966
conceded their demand on April 23rd 1966. The Punjabi Suba was formed on
01 Nov 1966.

7. Did the movement do any good to Punjab or Sikhs ?
• Punjab was a truncated state. Punjab lost all important proximity to Delhi,
Industrial belt of Ghaziabad and Panipat to Haryana. A large beautiful Hill
area was named Himachal Pradesh. Chandigarh was made joint capital of
Punjab and Haryana to be governed as Union territory.
• It gave a new problem of sharing river water and Chandigarh.
• A section of society under the influence of “Jan sang” in 1965 declared
“Hindi” as their mother tongue resulting in breaking harmonic relationship
of Hindus and Sikhs. It is important to know that RSS leader both Madhok
and Golwalkar have been advising Hindu to retain their mother tongue as
Punjabi since 1960.
• It was political one up man ship of (Sant) Fateh Singh which succeeded in
decimating Master Tara Singh and did no good to Punjab and Sikhs.

8. • A long struggle to have a Punjabi linguistic speaking state fell short of its
goal and was disappointing to all the residents of Punjab.
• This remained as one of the main reason for people to feel deprived and
neglected. It was followed by a long period of unrest which gave rise to
many problems.
• It is believed that If that struggle of people for recognition and self
determination was handled properly by the Government of India, today’s
Punjab might have been a shining star of Indian states.
Did this movement do any good to Punjab or Sikhs ? Cont.

9. Anti people decision by the Government:
Some other anti people decision which impacted society are as under:
• On March 14 ,1974 Central Govt cut employment in Defense for Punjab to
2.2% from 20% till then. This created unemployment in rural area’s.
• Post green revolution by 1975, the agricultural income started declining.
There was little industrial activity to provide meaningful employment.
Political / Social unrest was building up in Punjab due to various events which
resulted in continued opposition to the policies of Center Government. Some
of those are highlighted in the subsequent slides:

10. State of Emergency declared by
Indira Gandhi (1975-77)
• Prime Minister Indira Gandhi after her electoral defat imposed Emergency in
India on 25th March 1975. Print media , News channels were subjected to
censorship. A dictatorial form of system full of fear for was created. It was
withdrawn on 21 March 1977. During the Emergency period , most of
Gandhi's political opponents were imprisoned.
• Several other atrocities were reported from the time, including a forced mass
sterilisation campaign spearheaded by Sanjay Gandhi, the Prime Minister's
son.
• The Sikh leadership convened meetings in Amritsar where they resolved to
oppose the "fascist tendency of the Congress".

11. State of Emergency declared by
Indira Gandhi (1975-77) - cont 02
• The first mass protest in the country, known as the "Campaign to Save
Democracy" was launched in Amritsar, 9 July 1995 by the Akali Dal.
• During the entire period of emergency (about 21 months) Akali’s continued
their protest. Every day a group of workers gave their arrest opposing
emergency. A large numbers of Akali and SGPC leadership and workers
remained behind the bars during the period.
• According to Amnesty International, 140,000 people had been arrested
without trial during the emergency. S Jasjit Singh Grewal estimates that
40,000 of them came from Punjab alone from Punjab’s Sikh minority.

12. Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal:
• The very name Punjab, the land of five rivers, affirms its riparian rights, its
economy’s depends on agriculture. It shall be born in mind that the water
table in Punjab will fall below an uneconomic extraction level by 2037 (GOI
report 2017).
• The Punjab reorganisation act, 1966, had provided sharing of waters between
Punjab and Haryana. On 27th March 1976 (Indira’s emergency period) Indira
intervened and awarded 3.5 MAF to Punjab and Haryana, 8MAF was given to
Rajasthan and 0.2 MAF was given to Delhi.
• Before it could be implemented, Indira lost election in 1977 and Morarji Desai
them the PM found it discriminatory. The matter was taken to court by
Haryana and Punjab followed.

13. Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal: cont-
• Indira returned to power and in Feb 1980, she dismissed Akali government
in Punjab, Congress under S Darbara Singh won the election. With both
Punjab and Haryana now having congress governments were asked to
withdraw their appeal in court which they did.
• She gave assurance to an Akali delegation on 05th April for not taking up
this issue in future. However on 08th April 1982 she inaugurated digging of
SYL canal at Kapoori.
• On 24th April 1982 Akali Dal launched Morcha from Kapoori against SYL
canal that was to carry water the Haryana and other places.

14. Sikh-Sant Nirankari conflict - 01
• The roots of Sikh-Sant Nirankari conflict go back to many decades. In 19th century Baba
Dyal Das (1783-1855) has set Nirankari samprda. They followed tenants of Sikhism.
Later two followers of Dyal Das namely Buta Singh (1973-1944) and Avtar Singh (1899-
1969) broke off and set up their separate sect in 1929.
• After independence Baba Dyal Das shifted to Amritsar and Chandigarh. Avtar Singh
shifted his base to Delhi and registered themselves as Sant Nirankari Mandal. His son
Gurbachan Singh succeeded him.
• 13 April 1978. The administration gave a permission to the Nirankaris to hold a
national level meet on a very important and sacrosanct date to the Sikhs, knowing fully
that Sikhs congregate at Amritsar sahib in very large number.

15. Sikh-Sant Nirankari conflict -02
• The Nirankari’s held the procession in the streets of Amritsar, a large number of their
volunteers were armed. This was opposed by two main Sikhs organization namely Akhand
Kirtani Jatha and Damdami Taksal. They decided to march (unarmed) to the venue to register
their gathering.
• Fauja Singh led the protest march. In the afternoon as the jatha reached near their
congregation site. The armed Nirankaris opened fire and killed 13 Sikhs. This led to chain of
clashes between Sikhs and Nirankari’s at Kanpur, Delhi and a few other cities in Madhya
Pradesh.
• 24th April 1980 – Gurbachan Singh, head of Nirankari Mandal was shot dead inside a well-
secured prescient of Nirankari Bhawan in New Delhi. CBI suspected Bhindranwale to have
conspired this murder. Ranjit Singh the main accused of the murder surrendered in 1983 and
convicted for life in 1993. His sentence was later remitted by the president in 1997. He was
appointed Jathedar of Akal Thakat by SGPC much before his release.

16. Sikh-Sant Nirankari conflict -03
• 09 Sept 1981. Lala Jagat Narain, Proprietor of Hind Samachar group who was to
address the annual meet of Nirankari’s on 13 April 1978 and has given pro Nirankari
evidence as witness in the court was shot dead.
• 12-20 Sept 1981: Darbara Singh then the CM of Punjab was adamant in arresting
Bhindeanwale. He got a warrant issued against his name. The arrest was planned to at
Chando Kalan in Hissar, it is said Bhajan Lal then CM and Zail Singh sounded him and he
evaded arrest.
• Later he surrendered himself on 20th Sept at Chok Mehta. He was released
unconditionally on 15 Oct 1981 as police could not submit any proof of his involvement
in the murder.

17. Political game of dismissing
elected government during 70-90
Even after formation of Punjabi Suba, Akali party could not remain in power for
full term. The successive Akali Govts fell due to infighting or dismissed by India
Government.
Chief Minister belonging to Akali Dal post 1965
• Gurnam Singh (8 March 1967 – 25 November 1967) - 8 months
• Gurnam Singh ( 17 February 1969 – 27 March 1970) - 1 month
• Lachman Singh Gill (25 November 1967 – 23 August 1968) - 9 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

18. Anandpur Sahib Resolution
• Akali’s always had strained relationship with Central Govt. As a result it
gave birth to an issue of Center – State relation.
• On 11 Dec 1973 party outlined a vision document on long term
perspective for the party which included look into more powers to the
state governments.
• The vision statement of more power to state was unfolded on 29 Oct 1978
in the form of “Anandpur Sahib Resolution”. It contain some religious
and other demands for socio-economic development of Punjab.

19. Anandpur Sahib resolution
It referred to following points of interest to the people of Punjab and few religious
Demands:
1. Inclusion of Punjabi speaking area and Chandigarh to Punjab.
2. Fair share of Ravi- Beas water.
3. Transfer of Bhakra- Nangal head-works to Punjab.
4. No displacement of Sikhs from Tarai region.
5. Establishment of Dry Port at Amritsar.
6. Permission to open a Bank in line with P&SB.
7. Review of Center- State relationship.
8. Permission for transmitting Gurbani from Darbar Sahib.
9. Renaming a train as Golden temple express.
10. Enactment of All India Gurdwara Act.

20. Response of Central Govt.
• Mrs. Indira Gandhi, PM always gave cold shoulder to very basic demands of Sikhs.
She perused politics of electoral gains and Akali’s perused politics of keeping their
mass base intact.
• The situation was getting out of hand of Punjab politicians to manage and this
disgruntled feeling saw a long period of struggle from 1981- 84.
• Akali’s started “Dharamyudh morcha” to seek attention of the Government. It
reached its peak by Oct 1982 , Over 60,000 people had court arrested. Jails were
overflowing and becoming unmanageable. Mrs Indira Gandhi PM released all
detained Sikhs on 15 Oct 1982 with out accepting any of the demands. This
considerably weakened the position of Akali’s position.
• On 18 Nov 1982, a settlement was arrived between two parties, Indira Gandhi back
tracked again. Bhajan Lal, then CM of Haryana started humiliating Sikhs passing
through Haryana.

21. Cont-2
• Peaceful movement by the Sikhs was loosing steam as an honorable settlement of their demands
was not in sight. The main stream politicians were decimated by repeated betrayed by the
negotiating teams of center and slowly lost control on the agitation.
• This gave rise to militancy, there were many active groups advocating armed struggle. Sant Jarnail
Singh Bhinderwale of Damdami Taksal became pivot and took center stage . A number of Killing of
peaceful citizen were reported during the period. What happened during this period was not at
all legitimate but a result of lost opportunities for peaceful solution.
• 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.
• The “Dharam Yudh Morcha” failed to get justice from the central Government headed by of Indira
Gandhi. The center government was always backtracking on the issues of Punjab, It is on record
that Indira Gandhi then decided to deal Punjab differently with brutal power to silence their most
vociferous critics and opposition. According to retired General S. K. Singh Indira Gandhi had been
considering a military operation for more than 18 months prior to launching operation Blue Star,
long before any insurgents were in the complex.

22. Operation Blue Star
Operation Blue Star was the code name of an Indian military action
which was carried out between 1 and 10 June 1984, in the operation
Indian Army attacked Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex
in Amritsar Sahib, Punjab to weaken “Daram Yudh Morcha” for the
religious and political demands of Sikhs in the garb to eliminate
militancy.
Gen S. K. Singh Retd had written that the decision to launch the attack
rested with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She was considering about
such an operation for more than 18 months before it happened.

23. Chronology of events leading to Attack on
Harmandir Sahib Complex.
• 01st June 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.
• Joint forces of Indian Army’s various units , BSF, CRPF, STF and others under the
command of Gen Sundarji were controlling Punjab . There were 6 Lakhs personnel
deployed all over Punjab and about 1.33 Lakhs personnel were available for operation
Blue Star. In additional about 2 Lakhs personnel were stationed with in 25 KM
distance from Amritsar.
• All cities of Punjab were put in the control of Army and various other historic
Gurdwara’s were cordoned off.
• 02 June: 1700 Army personnel entered the complex giving cover to other 2200
soldiers in the attack formation, As per Gen KS Brar, there was heavy causality
suffered without any gain to control the complex.
• On 3rd June : Army over loudspeaker at 2 AM asked Bhinderwale for cease fire to
remove their 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.

24. Chronology of events leading to Attack on
Harmandir Sahib Complex.
• 04th June: A detachment of NSG commando was added to the Army fire
power. Another attempt to enter failed.
• 05th June: Bunga’s and water tank with in the complex were razed by small
gun fire. In the night at about 10.30 four battle tanks were pressed in
service. They fired and demolish main building of Akal Takhat.
• Fire from Bhinderwale side got neutralised and area was cleared by Army
late in the night of 6th June. It took more than six days for clearing the area
against planned operation of a few hours by the army.

25. Akal Thakhat
06 June 1984

26. Golden Temple Complex
06 June 1984

27. Attack on other Gurdwara’s
• 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 standing up for their demands and sustained
opposition during the Emergency period and their after.

28. Human cost of operation
• There is no correct information available on causality suffered by Army.
Casualties were much more than reported. Lt Gen KS Brar while on duty
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)
• 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 more valuable lives were also lost of Sikhs soldiers who raised flag
of revolt, left their barracks and were heading towards Amritsar.

29. Aftermath
of
Operation Blue Star

30. Indira Gandhi was killed by her bodyguards

31. Nov - 1984
.

32. Innocent Sikhs were targeted

33. Properties were looted and burned

34. Anti Sikh riots
Date : 31 October 1984 − 3 November 1984
Sikhs Deaths
Government Estimate about 2800.
Independent Estimate about 8000.

35. 24th July 1985- “Rajiv – Longowal accord”
• An 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 considered
rationally by Indira Gandhi in 1882 the loss to the nation, Punjab, lives of
innocent Sikhs could have been avoided.

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

37. Punjab kept Burning
1985- 1991

38. Lets remember
Our History
if we forget
it will happen again

39. Post 1984 Period Punjab is still Burning and solution
to many of its problem are still unanswered.
• Invasion of Drugs.
• Uneconomical Agriculture sector.
• Issues of MSP still hangs.
• Privatization of Mandi systems as new threat to agriculture.
• Invasion of spurious Pesticides.
• Fall in Rural literacy and Commercialisation of Education.
• Shifting of Industrial units from Punjab due to skewed policies of Government.
• Widespread Unemployment.
• Lack of Interest in developing Tech skills of rural population.

40. References:
1. Operation Blue Star by Lt Gen Kuldip Singh Brar (2009)
2. Tragedy of Punjab (operation Blue Star and after) by Kuldip Nater
and Khuswant Singh.
3. Turmoil in Punjab (Before and after Blue star an Indian story by
Ramesh Inder Singh

41. This is a short story of betrayal of Punjab
and its people. It still continues.............
Cdr Balvir Singh – balvir57@gmail.com
Your suggestions for improving this article are welcome.