New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has described Operation Blue Star as a “mistake” that ultimately cost then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi her life. Speaking at a public event, Chidambaram said the military operation carried out in 1984 at the Golden Temple in Amritsar had far-reaching consequences for the nation.
“It was a decision that led to severe consequences, including the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. History has shown us the dangers of such actions, and we must learn from it”, Chidambaram added.
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The minister clarified that he did not intend any disrespect toward military officials, but he emphasized that Operation Blue Star was not the correct approach to reclaim the Golden Temple. He stated that the Army should not have been deployed for the operation.
“No disrespect to any military officers here, but Operation Blue Star was the wrong way to retrieve the Golden Temple. A few years later, we demonstrated the correct approach by reclaiming it without involving the Army,” he said.
Former Union Minister P Chidambaram.
Chidambaram also highlighted that the underlying issue in Punjab today is its economic situation rather than separatist movements. “From my visits to Punjab, I have observed that the political demand for Khalistan and separatism has largely faded. The real challenge is the state’s economic condition… and most illegal migrants originate from Punjab,” he added.
Operation Blue Star, carried out in June 1984, involved the Indian Army entering the Golden Temple complex to flush out Sikh militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The operation aimed to curb the growing insurgency in Punjab but resulted in significant civilian casualties and extensive damage to the sacred shrine, triggering outrage across the Sikh community.
His comments have reignited debates about the political and historical legacy of Operation Blue Star. Analysts note that the operation, though aimed at maintaining law and order, exacerbated tensions in Punjab and had lasting political ramifications, shaping India’s security policies and discourse on civil-military. interventions in sensitive religious sites.
Chidambaram’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions on lessons from India’s past internal security challenges. He urged political leaders to learn from history and prioritize dialogue and reconciliation over military interventions in religious or communal matters.
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The legacy of Operation Blue Star remains a sensitive topic in Indian politics, highlighting the complex intersection of security, religion, and governance in the country’s modern history.
Following the operation, on October 31, 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for the attack on the Golden Temple. Her assassination sparked anti-Sikh riots across India, particularly in Delhi, resulting in thousands of deaths and leaving a lasting scar on the country’s social and political fabric.
