Operation Bluestar

On the 40th anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar,’ slogans in favor of Khalistan (a sovereign state for Sikhs) were raised on the premises of the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab.

Operation Bluestar:

1. What was Operation Bluestar?

   1. An Indian military operation ordered by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in June 1984.
   2. Aimed to remove a group of militant Sikh separatists who had occupied the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.

2. Why Was Operation Bluestar Carried Out?

   1. The leader of the separatist group, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, had fortified the Golden Temple, a holy site for Sikhs, and was using it as a base for his activities.
   2. The Indian government viewed Bhindranwale as a threat to national unity and decided to act.

3. How Did Operation Bluestar Unfold?

   1. The operation began on June 1, 1984, with the deployment of Indian Army troops around the Golden Temple complex.
   2. Fierce fighting ensued between the army and Bhindranwale's followers, resulting in extensive damage to the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority, and other parts of the Golden Temple.
   3. The operation officially concluded on June 6, 1984, with the Indian Army gaining control of the Golden Temple complex.

4. Aftermath of Operation Bluestar:

   1. While the army achieved its goal of removing Bhindranwale and his followers from the Golden Temple, the operation was controversial and sparked outrage among many Sikhs.
   2. Some Sikhs saw the operation as an attack on their faith, leading to increased tensions between the Sikh community and the Indian government.
   3. The assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi 5 months later by her Sikh bodyguards is believed to have been in retaliation for Operation Bluestar.

5. The Golden Temple: A Sacred Site

   1. The Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib, is the holiest shrine in Sikhism and a prominent religious and cultural landmark in India.
   2. Located in Amritsar, Punjab, it holds immense religious and historical significance for Sikhs and serves as the central religious and spiritual hub for Sikhs worldwide.
   3. The Golden Temple houses the Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious scripture of Sikhism.

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