On the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star and the death of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, pro-Khalistan slogans echoed at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, reflecting ongoing tensions tied to the historic military operation. During the solemn occasion, supporters of the Khalistan movement expressed their demands, highlighting persistent calls for a separate Sikh state. This event, marked by political undertones and controversial sentiments, underscores the continuing sensitivity surrounding the Golden Temple and its significance in Sikh history.
Pro-Khalistan Voices at a Historic Site
The slogans, including chants of “Khalistan zindabad,” were captured in a video released by news agency ANI as Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann faction) leader Simranjit Singh Mann arrived at the Golden Temple. Jasbir Singh Rode, former Jathedar of Akal Takht, noted that such slogans have been raised repeatedly both within India and globally, asserting that this expression of sentiment is not new. Rode further emphasized the unresolved questions about Operation Blue Star, criticizing the government for failing to adequately explain why the sacred Sikh shrine was attacked without warning, despite Sikhs only demanding their rights and not initiating any attack on the Indian government.
Operation Blue Star, conducted from June 1 to June 10, 1984, was a decisive military action aimed at removing heavily armed militants led by Bhindranwale from the Golden Temple complex. These militants were advocating for Khalistan, a separate Sikh state, which escalated the conflict. The operation, ordered by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, sought to restore law and order but left deep scars in the Sikh community, which still resonates today.
Recent Pro-Khalistan Activities and Incidents
Recent years have witnessed several incidents that suggest a revival of pro-Khalistan sentiments in Punjab. In February 2023, supporters of Amritpal Singh, a prominent pro-Khalistan leader and newly elected MP in 2024, attacked a police station in Ajnala, Amritsar, injuring officers in retaliation to the arrest of Singh’s associate. Additionally, an individual from Tarn Taran was arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive Indian Army information with Pakistan, reportedly through contacts with pro-Khalistan operatives abroad.
Ahead of the anniversary, tensions further escalated when a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Nangal village was defaced with black paint and marked with symbols of the banned Sikh militant group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which claimed responsibility for the act and released footage supporting a campaign to vandalize Ambedkar statues.
These events highlight the persistent undercurrents of unrest and the complex socio-political challenges surrounding Sikh separatism and the legacy of Operation Blue Star in Punjab and beyond.
