Amritsar: In preparation for Tuesday's 39th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, security has been beefed up at the Golden Temple and around the city.
DCP -Law and order- Parminder Singh Bhandal said that police in civil dress have been deployed as well. Enough police officers have been stationed at various locations throughout the city and that the city has been cordoned off to prevent any untoward incidents.
At Sri Darbar Sahib, prayers are continuing as usual.
Arpit Shukla, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), had earlier stated that security measures have been put in place throughout Punjab. She added that central forces had also been sent out. I urge the populace to preserve the state's calm, and I promise to take action against rumor-spreading individuals.
On June 6, 1984, the Indian Army attacked the Golden Temple as part of Operation Blue Star at the instructions of the time's prime minister, Indira Gandhi, in an effort to quell Sikh militancy in Punjab under the leadership of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. It was reported that Bhindranwale had hidden a significant number of weapons on the grounds of the Golden Temple. The Operation received harsh criticism. On October 31, 1984, at her home in New Delhi, two of Indira Gandhi's Sikh bodyguards shot and killed her.
About Golden Temple on Operation Blue Star anniversary: Operation Blue Star, also known as the Golden Temple massacre, was a controversial military operation carried out by the Indian government in June 1984. It took place at the Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, in Amritsar, Punjab. The operation was aimed at flushing out armed Sikh militants who had fortified themselves inside the temple complex.
The decision to undertake Operation Blue Star was made due to escalating tensions between the government and Sikh separatists demanding an independent Sikh state called Khalistan. The operation involved the Indian Army storming the Golden Temple complex with tanks, artillery, and infantry. The intense fighting resulted in significant damage to the temple and the loss of many lives, including both militants and innocent civilians.
The military action sparked widespread outrage and led to violent anti-Sikh riots in several parts of India. The aftermath of Operation Blue Star had far-reaching consequences for the Sikh community, with feelings of deep resentment and a loss of faith in the Indian government among many Sikhs.
Each year, the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, which falls on June 6, serves as a reminder of the tragic event and its impact on the Sikh community. It is a time for reflection, remembrance, and commemoration. The anniversary is marked with prayers, vigils, and peaceful demonstrations, where Sikhs gather to pay homage to the lives lost and express their continuing grievances over the operation.
Efforts have been made over the years to heal the wounds caused by Operation Blue Star and promote reconciliation. However, it remains a sensitive and highly emotive subject, representing a dark chapter in India's history that continues to shape the dynamics between the Sikh community and the Indian government.
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