Slogans of “Khalistan Zindabad” were raised at Amritsar’s Golden Temple on Friday as SAD (Mann faction) leader Simranjit Singh Mann visited the Sikh holy site to mark the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star.
Jasbir Singh Rode, former Jathedar of the Akal Takht, said these slogans “have always been raised here and across the world. There is nothing new in this.”
Security has been increased throughout Amritsar due to the anniversary of Operation Blue Star and the death anniversary of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Police set up checkpoints across the city to maintain law and order.
Speaking to reporters, Rode criticized the Indian government, saying it has never explained why it attacked such a sacred Sikh place. “Sikhs were demanding their rights. They had not declared war against the Indian government. Then, without any notice or warning, we were attacked as enemy countries are attacked,” he said.
He added, “People are celebrating today across the seven seas. Many have come from across the country to pay respects to those who laid down their lives for our religion and for us.”
On June 5, 1984, the Indian Army launched Operation Blue Star to remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The militants were led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was leading an armed movement seeking a separate Sikh state called Khalistan, meaning “land of the pure.”
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was a Sikh religious scholar who called for a return to Khalsa values and supported the Anandpur Sahib resolution. This resolution demanded an autonomous Sikh region in northern India, known as Khalistan.
Bhindranwale traveled throughout Punjab promoting his message and gained significant support. He eventually took control of the Golden Temple. In response, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered Operation Blue Star. The operation resulted in the deaths of 83 Indian Army soldiers and about 150 militants, including Bhindranwale.
