Punjab — Beware The Ides of March
Context:
Three decades after sectarian warfare decimated Punjab, the radicalise threat appears to be resurfacing. Eddies of this are already obvious in places of the world where the Sikh diaspora is concentrated. Sectarian violence is not uncommon in India, but it is unclear why Sikh radicalism has recently found a fresh lease on life. The appearance of a self-styled Sikh extreme preacher, Amritpal Singh, who models himself on Bhindranwale of old, could thus be viewed as a cover for something with deeper origins.
Points to Ponder:
- The author observes that, after three decades of relative calm, Sikh extremism appears to be returning in countries with a sizable Sikh diaspora.
- The author feels that the recent rise of Amritpal Singh, a self-styled Sikh extreme preacher, is a cover for something with deeper roots.
- The author contends that the current security regime in India has failed to learn from past failures, particularly the Bhindranwale phenomena, which might have been contained well before 1984 if managed effectively.
- The author emphasizes the need for competent intelligence in dealing with the current scenario and says that intelligence agencies may have missed indicators of growing fear among parts of Sikh youth and discontent among the Sikh peasantry.
- The author contends that blaming the current violence on the drug mafia with ties to Pakistan is only a proximate explanation and that there may be deeper causes at work.
- The author urges introspection to evaluate whether there are early symptoms of a resurrection of the idea of Khalistan within the country and cautions against viewing current events as evidence of a foreign conspiracy.
- The author contends that blaming the current violence on the drug mafia with ties to Pakistan is only a proximate explanation and that there may be deeper causes at work.
- The author urges introspection to evaluate whether there are early symptoms of a resurrection of the idea of Khalistan within the country and cautions against viewing current events as evidence of a foreign conspiracy.
Background on Khalistan Issue
- The Khalistan issue is a Sikh separatist movement that seeks to establish an independent state in the Punjab region called Khalistan.
- Its roots can be seen in India’s independence and subsequent Partition, which resulted in communal violence and the relocation of millions of people, including Sikhs.
- The Punjabi Suba Movement and the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, which requested greater autonomy for Punjab, fueled the movement.
- Under the leadership of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who took up residence in the Golden Temple and founded the Dharam Yudh Morcha, the movement grew violent in the 1980s.
- In 1984, the Indian government began “Operation Blue Star” to clear out terrorists from the Golden Temple and bring Bhindranwale to justice. The raid caused significant damage to the Golden Temple and resulted in the deaths of several terrorists and bystanders.
- Following Operation Blue Star, there was communal violence and a long-running insurgency in Punjab that lasted until 1995.
- The movement failed to achieve its goal for a variety of reasons, including harsh police crackdowns, factional infighting, and Sikh disillusionment.
- Today, the movement is fuelled by vote bank politics, socioeconomic issues including unemployment and drug misuse in Punjab, and non-state actors’ backing.
- The movement continues to elicit sympathy and support from segments of the Sikh people, particularly the Sikh diaspora.
Operation Blue Star
- The Indian government began Operation Blue Star in 1984 to clear out extremists from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab.
- Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s growing influence and violent activities, including attacks on government officials and battles with police, prompted the operation.
- The Indian Army organized and carried out the operation, which included a multi-day siege of the Golden Temple complex.
- The operation caused extensive damage to the Golden Temple complex, including the desecration of the Akal Takht, a sacred Sikh monument.
- Many terrorists and civilians were slain in the raid, including Bhindranwale, who was murdered in the crossfire.
- Following Operation Blue Star, Punjab and other parts of India saw major riots and rioting, as well as a wave of killings of government officials and Sikh leaders.
The aftermath of Operation Blue Star
- Following Operation Blue Star, there were significant riots and violence in Punjab and other parts of India. The destruction of the Golden Temple complex, which is regarded as the holiest landmark in Sikhism, enraged Sikhs all over the world.
- The death of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by two of her Sikh bodyguards sparked an anti-Sikh pogrom in which hundreds of Sikhs were killed in Delhi and other regions of India. The violence lasted several days and is regarded as one of the deadliest instances of communal violence in Indian history.
- The Indian government cracked down on Sikh separatists in Punjab, resulting in a protracted insurgency in the state. Thousands of individuals, including militants, civilians, and security officers, were killed during the conflict, which lasted until the mid-1990s.
- Human rights organizations chastised the Indian government for its handling of the crisis in Punjab. There have been allegations of human rights breaches by security personnel, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and disappearances.
- The fallout from Operation Blue Star and the Punjab insurgency has long-term consequences for the relationship between Sikhs and the Indian state. Many Sikhs are still upset over the government’s conduct during this time.
- The Khalistan movement, which aspires to establish an independent Sikh country, is still active, though it has lost a lot of support and impetus in recent years. A variety of causes, including political and economic grievances among Sikhs in India and abroad, are fueling the movement.
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