Punjab crisis averted during 1980's and fallouts

Punjab Polity and Governance

During the 1980s, Punjab was engulfed by a separatist movement (demand for Khalistan and Punjabi Suba) which was transformed into a campaign of terror, leading to low-intensity war and a dangerous crisis for the Indian nation.

The genesis of the problem lay in the growth of communalism in Punjab in the course of the twentieth century and, in particular, since 1947, and which erupted into extremism, separatism and terrorism after 1980.The fight for a separate Sikh state owes its origins to the Punjabi Suba Movement.

How Indira Gandhi administration averted this crisis ?

1980s was a critical phase in the evolution of Mrs. Gandhi’s leadership.
At earlier stage, instead of boldly confronting the communal and separatist challenge to the Indian polity, Indira Gandhi led administration tried to use tactical manoeuvring with policy of appeasement.
Indira Gandhi’s government refused to take strong action against terrorist killings for three long years, from 1981 to 1984, or to fight extreme communalism, ideologically and politically, and to counter communal propaganda effectively.Rather they carried on endless negotiations.
However, hostage to its own past handling of the crisis, hostage to the whims of the terrorists, hostage too to the absence of soft options, Indira Gandhi’s Government faced a huge dilemma.
However, Ms. Gandhi decided to impose President’s rule in 1983 and to go all out taking hard actions.
Operation Sundown involving Special Forces was planned to abduct Sikh extremist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from the Golden Temple complex. But, the operation was never materialized due to the Indira Gandhi’s rejection, as it could have caused numerous casualties.
Finally, Operation Blue Star was launched in which the Indian Army invaded the Golden Temple at Amritsar to flush out separatists lodged inside.

Fallouts :

Some of the structures surrounding the temple were destroyed in the firing.The temple complex was badly destroyed in the process. Many Sikh scriptures and books were damaged and ruined.
The unofficial death toll is much higher with some sources placing it at 20000.Many civilians were also caught in the crossfire and killed.
Many people have criticised the operation for its use of heavy artillery in the crowded streets of Amritsar. There have also been allegations of human rights violation by the army with eyewitnesses alleging that captured militants were shot dead.
The storming of the holiest shrine of Sikhism also drew widespread condemnation and protests by Sikhs across the world. Many Sikhs resigned from the army and government posts in protest.
The operation also led to the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 31 October 1984 by two of her Sikh bodyguards, triggering the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The genocide and anti-sikh riots are an unmatched blot to the Indian democracy,secularism and the very principles of our culture.
General and Chief of Army Staff at the time of Operation Blue Star were also assassinated later.

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