Pro-Khalistan Slogans Raised At Golden Temple On 40th Anniversary Of Operation Blue Star: WATCH

In the demonstration, led by radical outfit Dal Khalsa, some Sikh youths were seen carrying 'Khalistan flags' and photographs of damage inflicted to Akal Takht during Operation Blue Star.

Activists from various Sikh organisations hold placards as they offer prayers on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar

Source : Getty

Pro-khalistan slogans were raised at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Thursday, as the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star is observed.

A video released by ANI showed people carrying placards bearing the portraits of slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Canada last year. Some carried banners and placards reading 'Khalistan Zindabad'.

#WATCH | Punjab: On the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, members of the Sikh community raise slogans inside the Golden Temple premises in Amritsar.

Posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale also seen during the demonstration. Pro-Khalistan slogans also raised. pic.twitter.com/QTrrpnekCq

— ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2024

According to a PTI report, former MP Simranjit Singh Mann of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), a vocal proponent of a separate Sikh State, and Dhian Singh Mand, another former MP from the party, were seen among those who sloganeered at the Golden Temple. Mann recently lost the Lok Sabha poll from the Sangrur seat.

#WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann also seen among the people raising slogans and displaying posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale at the Golden Temple premises, on the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. pic.twitter.com/uiczSnrQHw

— ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2024

In the demonstration, which was led by radical outfit Dal Khalsa, some Sikh youths were seen carrying 'Khalistan flags' and photographs of damage inflicted to the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, during Operation Blue Star.

Security Arrangements

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Amritsar as the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star is observed.

"Security arrangements have been made here. Forces have been deployed and barricading has been done. Any untoward incident will be monitored," Senior Superintendent of Police S.S. Randhawa Singh told ANI.

Operation Blue Star

The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had ordered the Indian Army to storm the Golden Temple to flush out Sikh militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in Punjab. He had taken shelter there and it was reported that large quantities of arms had been stashed on the premises.

The operation, which also led to civilian and military fatalities, was heavily criticised. It also led to the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in October 1984. The assassination then set the stage for anti-Sikh riots, especially in Delhi, which saw the community brutally targeted by mobs. Official estimates peg the death toll of the riots at over 2,700.