Latest news with #SantJarnailSinghBhindranwale
India Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
A brief political history of Operation Bluestar
News: On June 5, 1984, the Indian Army launched Operation Bluestar to remove Sikh militants from Amritsar's Golden Temple. The militants, led by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, were spearheading an armed movement for a separate Sikh state, called Khalistan (the land of the pure).Pre-Independence RootsBefore India's independence, Sikhs had explored the idea of a separate nation. When the British government's Cripps Mission visited India in 1942 to negotiate self-governance, the Akali Dal, led by figures like Baba Kharak Singh, met at Amritsar, accepting the inevitability of partition and arguing for a Sikh state from the River Jhelum to the River Sutlej. The British dismissed the of a DiasporaIn 1971, Jagjit Singh Chauhan, a former Punjab finance minister, revived the Sikh Home Rule Movement in the UK, renaming it Khalistan. He set up a self-styled embassy, printing stamps, currency, and passports. Allegedly supported by elements in Pakistan, he rallied the Sikh diaspora. On October 12, 1971, a half-page advertisement in The New York Times, reportedly authored by Chauhan and allegedly funded by Pakistan's ISI, called for a buffer state, Khalistan, as 'the only guarantee for peace in the subcontinent.' Few took it seriously.A Silent BurialIn 1966, responding to Sikh demands, the government reorganised Punjab on linguistic lines, creating today's Punjab. It comprised Jullundur (Jalandhar), Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Amritsar, Patiala, Bhatinda, Kapurthala, and parts of Gurdaspur, Ambala, and Sangrur. The new state, with a Sikh majority and Punjabi as the primary language, housed most of India's Sikhs. With the Centre acquiescing to the demand for a Punjabi suba (state), the clamour for a state for the Sikhs Singh and a Sacred HorseadvertisementIn 1972, Giani Zail Singh, later President of India, became Punjab's Chief Minister. To appeal to Sikh voters, he launched initiatives rooted in Sikh religious sentiment, including symbolically bringing a horse from Britain, claimed as a descendant of one ridden by Guru Gobind Akali Dal, self-anointed political representatives of the Sikhs, countered by gathering at Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa tradition began, issuing demands for Punjab's greater Anandpur Sahib ResolutionSirdar Kapur Singh, a former Indian Civil Service officer dismissed after Independence, helped draft the 1973 Anandpur Sahib Resolution. It sought greater autonomy for Punjab, proposing to limit the Centre's role to defence, external affairs, and currency, though its scope remains debated. Later modified, it focused on demands like more water and the transfer of Chandigarh-–a Union Territory– to Punjab. The resolution faded when the Akalis won the 1977 Punjab elections but was revived after their 1980 loss to Congress. It was bolstered by Bhindranwale's rise as jathedar (leader) of the Damdami Taksal, a seminary near BhindranwaleThe Sikh preacher highlighted concerns among Sikhs about demographic changes and the erosion of their distinct identity. He played on the fear among Sikhs that Hindus would soon outnumber them, and their independent identity would be erased. Publicly ambiguous on Khalistan, he said he was neither for nor against it, yet claimed Sikhs could no longer live in of his followers, Balbir Singh Sandhu, called himself secretary-general of a self-proclaimed national council of Khalistan. He kept a handwritten Constitution of Khalistan, which he read out to anyone who cared to listen. In Sandhu's mind, Khalistan was a religious state with communist ideals—a kind of Communist Israel for the political rivalries between Congress and the Akalis deepened Hindu-Sikh tensions, fracturing decades of Yudh MorchaOn April 24, 1982, the Akalis launched an agitation against the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal, a project to supply water to neighbouring states. The project was launched by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi herself at a place called Kapuri (the agitation was also called Kapuri Morcha). At the start of June, the protest against the canal turned into a civil disobedience movement. By June, it became a civil disobedience Bhindranwale launched his Front from the Golden Temple, demanding the release of arrested All India Sikh Students' Federation members. On August 4, 1982, he and the Akalis united under the Dharam Yudh Morcha (religious struggle), courting arrest to press for the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. Bhindranwale moved to Guru Nanak Niwas, a hostel near the Golden Bhindranwale shifted to Guru Nanak Niwas, a hostel behind the east gate of the Golden Temple. Hundreds of followers joined him. Most of them were members of the All India Sikh Students' Federation, and Nihangs baptised by him at his seminary. His guardsmen were drawn from former army and police personnel. Taking advantage of the chaos, some hardened criminals and smugglers operating in Punjab also took refuge in the BluestarOn December 15, 1983, fearing arrest, Bhindranwale shifted to the Golden Temple complex. By late 1983, turf wars between rival Sikh militant groups turned its corridors into followers were linked to a wave of violence in Punjab, spreading fear amid rumours of hit lists and an imminent Khalistan declaration, allegedly backed by Punjab spiraling and her 'Iron Lady' image at stake, Indira Gandhi ordered the Army into the Golden June 5, 1984, Operation Bluestar unfolded as tanks rolled in, culminating in a tragic confrontation that left deep scars on the Sikh community and India's Watch
India Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
News Menu, June 5: Bengaluru stampede; Kamal Haasan film released amid Kannada row
Good morning. On June 5, 1984, the Indian Army launched Operation Bluestar to remove Sikh militants from Amritsar's Golden Temple. The militants, led by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, were spearheading an armed movement for a separate Sikh state, called Khalistan (the land of the pure). This morning too we have a news menu stained with a Cup: Bengaluru Stampede TragedyadvertisementA stampede outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2025 victory celebration claimed 11 lives, including a child, and injured 47 fans. The chaos erupted as thousands, estimated at 2–3 lakh, converged on the 35,000-capacity stadium, overwhelming crowd control measures. CM Siddaramaiah announced Rs10 lakh ex-gratia for victims' families and ordered a magisterial inquiry, referencing past incidents like the Kumbh Mela stampede but denying slammed the Congress government for 'criminal negligence,' with leaders like Amit Malviya and Tejaswi Surya accusing CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar of prioritising photo-ops with cricketers over Kohli expressed grief, stating he was 'lost for words' over the tragedy. Eyewitnesses reported fans climbing walls and fences, with police struggling to manage the surge. Inside the stadium, the felicitation ceremony was cut short within 10 minutes. Bengaluru bureau to investigate responsibility, timeline, and case with Congress: Rahul's Haryana OverhaulRahul Gandhi continues his 'Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan' in Chandigarh on Thursday, meeting Haryana Congress leaders to strategise for state polls. After his Bhopal visit, Gandhi emphasised clearing out 'lame horses' to make way for new leadership, signalling a bold restructuring of the party. His focus is on post-poll recovery and energising the cadre, with no room for old warhorses like the Hoodas to disrupt the Pulse: Maharashtra's Sena SagaUddhav Thackeray's openness to alliances for Maharashtra's welfare puts the ball in Raj Thackeray's court ahead of BMC and local body elections. Uddhav's Shiv Sena (UBT) is ready to collaborate, but will Raj's MNS join hands, or will Shinde's Sena and BJP capitalise on the Marathi vote to counter UBT? India Today analyses the egos at Stew: Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' ReleaseKamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' releases worldwide, but Karnataka bans screenings amid controversy over his 'Kannada born of Tamil' remark. Tamil Nadu allows early morning shows. The linguistic row continues to fuel Karnataka-Tamil Nadu Mess: Northeast Flood CrisisNortheast India battles severe floods and landslides, with 36 deaths reported, including 11 in Assam. Arunachal Pradesh remains under a Red Alert as PM Modi reviews relief efforts in a high-level meeting in New Delhi, focusing on infrastructure support and Dal: Rafale's Missile DefenceIndian Air Force pilots used Rafale aircraft to jam and defuse Pakistan's PL-15 missiles during a recent attack, with none hitting their targets. India Today serves a detailed story on the operation, highlighting the IAF's strategic prowess amid heightened tensions post-Pahalgam Tonic: Ed-Tech Data LeakA cybersecurity firm uncovered a critical data leak at a major Indian ed-tech platform, exposing Aadhaar numbers, addresses, and academic details of millions, including children of defence personnel at sensitive locations. The breach raises national security and privacy Spice: Ram Darbar ConsecrationAyodhya hosts the Ram Darbar consecration on June 5, led by CM Yogi Adityanath, marking the second major ceremony since January 2024. The private event at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi includes deity worship and idol installation across 21 shrines, coinciding with Yogi's 53rd birthday and the Saryu River's Trayodashi Masala: Auto Driver's Lucrative HustleA Mumbai auto driver earns 5–8 lakh monthly by offering bag storage for US Consulate visitors, without driving his vehicle. Rahul Rupani's LinkedIn post highlights this innovative business model. India Today explores this story from Curry: Gill-Gambhir PresserIndia's cricket captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir address the media at 7:30 PM, discussing team strategies and upcoming Pulse: Operation Bluestar AnniversaryAmritsar braces for the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6, with Dal Khalsa's 'Genocide Remembrance March' and a planned shutdown on Thursday. Tensions rise over Akal Takht's potential address. India Today tracks the Sikh community Pill: Vaishnavi Hagawane CaseIPS officer Jalindar Supekar and Police Inspector Shashikant Chavan face scrutiny in the Vaishnavi Hagawane death case. Supekar has been transferred, and five arrests, including co-accused Nilesh Chavan, have been made. Evidence against Chavan, who was promoted despite serious charges, is under review. Omkar Wable to Ladle: Courtroom UpdatesadvertisementDPS Dwarka Expulsion: Delhi High Court to rule on parents' plea against the expulsion of 32 students for unpaid fees, questioning the school's fee hike and notice Ahmed Case: Rouse Avenue Court to deliver its order on CBI's closure report in the missing JNU student case, citing no evidence of Najeeb's hospital Scam: Rouse Avenue Court continues hearing ED's chargesheet naming Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, and Jain Case: Rouse Avenue Court hears CBI's corruption chargesheet against the former Delhi minister.M.F. Husain Paintings: Patiala House Court may rule on a plea seeking FIR against Delhi Art Gallery for exhibiting controversial M.F. Husain Sindoor Espionage: Accused Hasin and Qasim, arrested for spying for Pakistan, to be produced in Patiala House Court. Delhi Police presented evidence of Hasin's attempt to honeytrap a DRDO BiteThe Bengaluru stampede turned a moment of triumph into tragedy, exposing gaps in crowd management and sparking political blame games. As investigations unfold, the loss of 11 lives underscores the need for accountability and better planning to ensure celebrations don't cost lives.
