The Sikhs last week remembered thousands of martyrs who laid down their lives in the operation “Blue Star” in June 1984 and during its aftermath, Lakhs of Indian forces had taken control of Punjab, imposed the curfew and had launched a full scale aggression against the community. The historic shrine, Akal Takhat, had ‘been reduced to rubble while other gurdwaras had suffered extensive loss, Thousands of Sikhs including Sant Jamail Singh Bhindranwale had been killed, some in fights against the Indian state and others in cold blood. The incident shocked the world while Sikhs all over the globe were up in anger against India, Nevertheless, the Indian massacre continues for a decade now. The Indian aim was to terrorize Sikhs into submission so that the freedom struggle was defeated. India knew that the separation of Punjab alone would mean disintegration of India as a whole. It’s stakes in Punjab, thus, were high and the amount of force and brutality used was commensurate with that aim, True, India succeeded in achieving its aim. But the success is partial and temporary.
‘The Sikh struggle will rise once again not in too distant future, ‘The Indian state today is not stronger than what it was a decade ago. ‘There is an air of crisis in Delhi. The ruling party is split. The train of events starting with 1984 has led to unrest in several parts of India including Kashmir. Despite support from the US administration, the Indian state might be heading for trouble in the years to come.
Within the country not only regional forces have been regrouping, but the society’s polarization along the caste lines is continuing with Dalits, backward castes and Muslims emerging as powerful political factors, the root of the turmoil is clearly traceable to the operation “Blue Star.” Its aftermath for India cannot but be trying. The Sikh struggle for freedom cannot remain dormant for long.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 9, 1995
