Punjab Turmoil and Operation Blue Star – Anti-Sikh Riots – UPSC Post-Independence

The Indian state of Punjab, known for its rich cultural heritage and agricultural prosperity, found itself engulfed in a vortex of turmoil during the early 1980s. Tensions between the central government and Sikh separatists, fueled by political, economic, and religious grievances, escalated to a critical point culminating in Operation Blue Star. This military operation, conducted in June 1984, aimed to flush out armed militants holed up in the Golden Temple complex, the holiest Sikh shrine in Amritsar. However, the operation’s execution led to catastrophic consequences, triggering widespread unrest among the Sikh community and igniting the flames of communal violence. The aftermath of Operation Blue Star saw a dark chapter in Indian history unfold with the Anti-Sikh Riots of 1984, characterized by targeted violence, mass killings, and systematic destruction of Sikh lives and property in various parts of the country. These events left an indelible scar on the collective consciousness of India, underscoring the complexities of religious identity, political autonomy, and the challenges of maintaining unity in a diverse nation.

Revival of Congress and the Punjab Crisis:

1. Congress (I) Resurgence:
   • In the state assembly elections of 1978, Congress (I) made a strong comeback, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This resurgence can be attributed to several factors:
     • Backlash against the Janata government’s attempts to exact revenge on Indira Gandhi for the Emergency.
     • Establishment of commissions of inquiry, including the Shah Commission, which sought to uncover excesses and abuses during the Emergency.
     • Public perception that Indira Gandhi had already faced punishment through electoral defeat.
2. Janata Party’s Governance Issues:
   • The Janata government faced challenges related to governance, vision, and internal conflicts. This led to public dissatisfaction with the party’s performance.
3. Congress (I) Mandate in 1980 Elections:
   • In the 1980 elections, Congress (I) received a resounding mandate, securing 353 out of 529 seats. This mandate transcended caste, religion, and geographical divisions, giving the party a two-thirds majority.
4. Janata Party Division:
   • Post-elections, the Janata Party witnessed further fragmentation, with the original Jan Sangh leaders breaking away to form the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
5. Militarization of the Separatist Movement:
   • In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Sikh separatist movement in Punjab took a more militant turn. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a prominent Sikh religious leader associated with Damdami Taksal, became increasingly involved in Punjab’s political landscape.

These developments set the stage for the escalating tensions and violence that would define the Punjab crisis in the years to come. The resurgence of Congress (I) under Indira Gandhi’s leadership, coupled with the growing militancy in Punjab, would profoundly impact the socio-political landscape of the region.

The Emergence of Communalism in Punjab (Post-1947)

After the partition of British India in 1947, communal tensions and issues emerged in Punjab, particularly among different linguistic and religious groups. Here are some key developments:

1. Linguistic Issue:
   • Hindu Communalists: Advocated for Hindi to be recognized as a state language.
   • Sikh Communalists: Demanded Punjabi in Gurmukhi script to be recognized as a state language.
   • Government Response: To address this issue, the government divided Punjab into two language zones – Punjabi and Hindi.
2. Controversy over Language Policies:
   • Compulsory Punjabi Education: The government’s decision to make Punjabi, along with Hindi, a compulsory subject in all schools faced opposition from Hindu communalists.
   • Official Language for District Administration: Making Punjabi the sole official language for district administration in the Punjabi linguistic zone was another contentious issue.
3. Punjabi Suba Movement (1966):
   • The demand for the creation of a Punjabi-speaking state, known as ‘Punjabi Suba’, gained momentum.
   • This movement sought to establish a separate state of Punjab with Punjabi as its official language.

The linguistic and administrative policies became focal points for communal tensions, with various groups advocating for their respective languages. The demand for Punjabi Suba was a significant development in Punjab’s political landscape, eventually leading to the linguistic reorganization of the state in 1966. This period laid the foundation for future communal tensions and demands for regional autonomy.

Politics of Akali Dal and Rise in Communalism in Punjab

After the formation of Punjabi Suba, the Akali Dal faced several political challenges:

1. Fulfillment of Demands: The Akali Dal had successfully achieved most of its concrete demands through the creation of Punjabi Suba. This left them with a dilemma of identifying new significant demands to sustain their political momentum.
2. Electoral Challenges: Despite the formation of Punjabi Suba, the Akali Dal struggled to secure a majority in elections. Several factors contributed to this:
   • Sikhs constituted less than 60% of Punjab’s population, impacting the party’s demographic advantage.
   • The Scheduled Caste Sikhs, constituting a significant portion of the Sikh community, had conflicting interests with the Akali Dal’s core base of rich and middle-class peasants.
3. Increasing Sectarian Content: After losing the 1980 elections, the Akali Dal began to infuse more religious and communal elements into their politics. This was aimed at broadening their support base among Sikhs, with moderate leaders aligning with more extremist factions.
4. List of Demands (1981): The main Akali Dal, led by Sant Longowal, presented a list of 45 demands to the prime minister in 1981. These demands covered religious, political, economic, and social issues. Key demands included:
   • Sharing of river waters between Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
   • Transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab.
5. Anandpur Sahib Resolution (ASR): The implementation of the ASR, adopted in 1973, became a central demand. This resolution, in its various iterations, had separatist and communal undertones. Some factions believed that violent means were the only solution to address their perceived grievances and unmet demands.

The rise in communalism and the increasing sectarian content in Akali Dal’s politics marked a shift in the political landscape of Punjab. These developments set the stage for the emergence of more radical elements within Sikh politics, ultimately contributing to the complex Punjab crisis of the 1980s.

Terrorism in Punjab

1. Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale: Bhindranwale emerged in the late 1970s as a fervent supporter of Sikh orthodoxy and became a key figure in the terrorism movement in Punjab.
2. Political Backing: Initially, Bhindranwale had implicit support from the Punjab Congress, led by Giani Zail Singh, who aimed to weaken the Akali Dal. However, Bhindranwale eventually turned against his former allies.
3. Outset of Terrorism (1980): The terrorist campaign led by Bhindranwale and the All-India Sikh Students Federation, led by Amrik Singh, commenced with the assassination of the Nirankari sect’s leader on April 24, 1980. This was followed by a series of targeted killings of Nirankaris, dissident Akalis, and Congress workers.
4. Escalation of Violence (1981-1983): The situation escalated when Lala Jagat Narain, an editor critical of Bhindranwale, was assassinated in September 1981. Bhindranwale took refuge in the Guru Nanak Niwas within the Golden Temple complex in July 1982, using it as a base for coordinating terrorist operations.
5. Targeting Hindus: From September 1983, Bhindranwale’s group began targeting Hindus on a larger scale, leading to indiscriminate violence. The Punjab administration and police were in disarray, and the Indian government was initially hesitant to take strong action against the terrorism.
6. Call for Khalistan: Bhindranwale advocated for Sikh independence and sovereignty, with extremist elements demanding the establishment of ‘Khalistan’ as a separate Sikh state.
7. Golden Temple Complex as a Sanctuary: In December 1983, fearing arrest, Bhindranwale moved into the Akal Takht within the Golden Temple, establishing it as his headquarters and a sanctuary for his followers, many of whom had criminal backgrounds.

Support from Pakistan:

1. Pakistan’s Role: Pakistan played a significant role in the Punjab crisis, providing support to terrorist organizations. This included training, ammunition, ideological indoctrination, safe havens, and military assistance as part of Pakistan’s strategy of low-intensity warfare against India.
2. External Support: Extremist Sikh groups in other countries also supported secessionist movements in Punjab, offering financial aid and weaponry to the separatists.

The terrorism in Punjab was marked by escalating violence, targeting of specific communities, and the involvement of external actors like Pakistan, making it a highly complex and volatile situation.

Operation Bluestar (1984)

1. Background: The government estimated that Bhindranwale’s militants had killed 165 Hindus and Nirankaris in the twenty-two months following the inception of the Akali Dharma Yudh Morcha till June 1984.
2. Government’s Attempt at Dialogue: The government, led by Indira Gandhi, initially attempted to persuade Bhindranwale to de-escalate the situation. A team led by Narasimha Rao was sent for negotiations, but Bhindranwale remained steadfast in his demands.
3. Failed Negotiations: Indira Gandhi also sought the cooperation of the Akalis in the peaceful apprehension of Bhindranwale. However, due to local political considerations and the fear of public backlash, the Akalis refused to comply, rendering the talks ineffective.
4. Bhindranwale’s Declaration: Bhindranwale declared in his final interview that Sikhs could not coexist within India.
5. Launch of Operation Bluestar: Given the declared intentions and reports of an armament gathering at the Golden Temple, the government decided to launch Operation Bluestar based on the recommendation of the Army Chief.
6. Military Operation: Operation Bluestar was an Indian military operation conducted between June 1 to 8, 1984, under the leadership of Major General Kuldeep Singh Brar.
7. Surrounding the Golden Temple: Troops surrounded the Golden Temple on June 3rd, and on June 5, they entered the temple complex.
8. Unanticipated Resistance: The operation faced unexpected resistance as the militants were more numerous and better armed than anticipated. What was initially intended to be a brief operation escalated into a full-scale conflict, necessitating the deployment of tanks.
9. Trapped Devotees: Over a thousand devotees and temple employees were trapped inside the temple complex during the operation. Many of them lost their lives in the crossfire.
10. Destruction of the Temple Complex: The buildings within the temple complex, including the significant Akal Takht, suffered substantial damage, with the latter being completely razed.

Operation Bluestar was a significant and controversial military action that aimed to neutralize the militant threat within the Golden Temple complex. However, the operation resulted in substantial casualties and damage to the holy site, leading to deep-seated resentment and anger among the Sikh community.

Impact of Operation Bluestar

1. Sikh Resentment and Outrage: Operation Bluestar was met with widespread anger and outrage among Sikhs across the country. Many viewed it as a sacrilegious act and an affront to the Sikh community, rather than a necessary but unpleasant effort to deal with Bhindranwale and the terrorists.
2. Positive Aspects:
   • Demonstration of State Strength: The operation demonstrated that the Indian state was capable of dealing with secessionist movements and terrorism, establishing the authority of the central government.
   • End of Bhindranwale’s Influence: The operation effectively put an end to the influence of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his militant followers, who had gained significant traction within the Sikh community.
   • Restoration of Law and Order: It helped establish a minimum level of law and order, which allowed secular political parties like the Congress, CPI, and CPM to engage with the disgruntled populace. They could counter communal politics by explaining that the responsibility for the Punjab situation lay with Bhindranwale, the terrorists, and the Akali communalists.

Operation Bluestar, while achieving certain objectives, also left a lasting scar on the Sikh community and had far-reaching consequences for the political landscape of Punjab. The operation remains a contentious and deeply emotive subject in Indian history.

After Operation Bluestar:

1. Assassination of Indira Gandhi (1984): Bhindranwale’s supporters pledged vengeance against Indira Gandhi and her family for the operation. In October 1984, two Sikh members of her security team assassinated Indira Gandhi, leading to widespread shock, terror, and communal outrage.
2. Anti-Sikh Riots: Indira Gandhi’s assassination triggered violent anti-Sikh riots, particularly in Delhi and North India. The riots were fueled by rumors that Sikhs were celebrating the tragedy. This resulted in a tragic loss of life and property among the Sikh community.
3. Rajiv Gandhi Becomes Prime Minister: Rajiv Gandhi succeeded his mother as Prime Minister on November 1, 1984. He swiftly moved to address the Punjab issue, which included the release of arrested officials, including Akali Dal president H.S. Longowal.
4. Punjab Accord (1985): In August 1985, Rajiv Gandhi and Longowal signed the Punjab Accord, agreeing to key Akali demands. This included the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, resolution of linguistic disputes, and adjudication of river water issues.
5. Akali Electoral Victory (1985): In September 1985, elections were scheduled for both the state assembly and national parliament. Despite the assassination of Longowal, the Akalis participated and won an absolute majority in the state assembly for the first time.
6. Factionalism and Terrorism Resurgence: The Akali government led by Surjit Singh Barnala was plagued by factionalism, leading to an ineffective administration. The release of many accused of terrorist offenses resulted in a boost to terrorism.
7. Occupation of Golden Temple (1986): In January 1986, militants once again occupied the Golden Temple, passing a resolution in favor of Khalistan. Later that year, Sikh militants attacked a bus, killing Hindus.
8. President’s Rule (1987-1991): From 1987 to 1991, Punjab was under President’s rule, administered from Delhi. Sikh terrorists targeted those with opposing views, further eroding public support.
9. Operation Black Thunder: This was a series of operations in the late 1980s to flush out the last Sikh activists from the Golden Temple, conducted by the National Security Guards’ ‘Black Cat’ commandos.
10. Return of Peace (Mid-1990s): By the mid-1990s, peace returned to Punjab. In 1997, a coalition of the Akali Dal and the BJP achieved a significant victory in the state’s first normal elections since the militancy era.

These events mark a turbulent period in Punjab’s history, characterized by violence, political maneuvering, and attempts at reconciliation. The scars of this era continue to shape the socio-political landscape of the region.

FAQs

Q: What was the Punjab turmoil in the 1980s?

A: The Punjab turmoil refers to a period of significant unrest and violence that occurred in the Indian state of Punjab during the 1980s. It was primarily fueled by demands for Sikh autonomy and grievances against the Indian government. The turmoil escalated due to various factors including economic disparities, political marginalization, and religious tensions.

Q: What was Operation Blue Star?

A: Operation Blue Star was a military operation carried out by the Indian Army in June 1984. It aimed to remove Sikh militants who had fortified the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab. The operation was ordered by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to suppress the Khalistan movement and apprehend militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who had taken refuge in the temple.

Q: What were the consequences of Operation Blue Star?

A: Operation Blue Star had profound and lasting consequences. While it succeeded in removing the militants from the Golden Temple, it also resulted in significant collateral damage and casualties, including civilian deaths. The operation deeply hurt Sikh sentiments, leading to widespread outrage and further radicalization. It also intensified the divide between the Sikh community and the Indian government, fueling separatist sentiments in Punjab.

Q: What were the anti-Sikh riots of 1984?

A: The anti-Sikh riots of 1984 were a series of organized pogroms that occurred in various parts of India, primarily in Delhi, following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for Operation Blue Star. Mobs, allegedly instigated by political figures, targeted Sikh individuals, homes, businesses, and Sikh places of worship. Thousands of Sikhs were killed, and many more were displaced and traumatized during the violence.

Q: What was the aftermath of the anti-Sikh riots?

A: The aftermath of the anti-Sikh riots was marked by a profound sense of injustice and trauma within the Sikh community. Despite widespread evidence of organized violence and complicity of certain political leaders, justice was often delayed or denied to the victims and survivors. The riots further strained communal relations in India and highlighted issues of impunity and communalism within the country’s political and judicial systems.

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