June 1984 is widely regarded as one of the most controversial and turbulent periods in India’s pre-Modi history. During this time, sections of the Sikh community experienced severe political unrest and a large-scale military operation, which many critics describe as a breakdown in state minority relations, which was remembered in history as a cruel action.
Between June 1 and June 10, the Indian government carried out a military action at the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar, Punjab, one of the most sacred sites in Sikhism. The significance of the Golden Temple for Sikhs is often compared to the importance of Mecca for Muslims. Despite its religious sanctity and deep emotional value for the Sikh community, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered the Indian Army to remove Sikh religious and political leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, along with his supporters, from the complex.
The operation, code-named Operation Blue Star, was led by Major General Kuldip Singh Brar (later promoted to Lieutenant General), who was himself a Sikh officer. The decision has remained highly controversial, with critics arguing that it has deepened divisions within the Sikh community and has had long-lasting political and social consequences.
The Sikh diaspora continues to protest the events of June 1984 and is persistently urging the international community to investigate what it describes as the Sikh genocide in India.
The operation also took place during a period when the temple complex was heavily crowded with devotees due to the commemoration of Guru Arjan’s martyrdom. June 2026 marks the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star, and even after nearly four decades, it continues to be remembered as a deeply sensitive and painful chapter in Sikh history.
Operation Blue Star was followed by Operation Wood Rose, which was reportedly aimed at arresting separatists moving through the rural areas of Punjab. However, during this period, Indian police, army, and other security forces faced serious allegations of violating basic human rights and civil liberties.
Many reports and survivor accounts suggest that these operations created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among civilians. An author, citing survivor Wassan Singh Zaffarwal, argued that the actions taken during this time deeply affected local communities and raised serious questions about the conduct of security forces and the treatment of innocent people.
In hindsight, many analysts argue that the events surrounding the Golden Temple operation (Operation Blue Star) reflected a deep political and security crisis that had long been building between the Indian state and sections of the Sikh community. While the government viewed the operation as a necessary security response, it has continued to be widely debated and criticised for its timing, scale, and impact on religious sentiment and community relations.
The aftermath of June 1984 also had far-reaching consequences. On 31 October 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, an event that further intensified tensions and led to widespread violence and loss of life in several parts of India. These developments are often seen as part of a tragic cycle of escalation, mistrust, and retaliation. Oppression and injustice often generate a reaction against cruelty.
The legacy of Operation Blue Star remains deeply contested. Its military leadership, including Lt. Gen. Kuldip Singh Brar, has faced both criticism and security threats in the years that followed, reflecting how strongly the event continues to resonate within certain sections of society. At the same time, official accounts and personal testimonies remain sharply divided, with no universally accepted interpretation of events.
Various Sikh political and advocacy movements have since continued to raise demands related to justice, rights, and greater autonomy within India’s constitutional framework. Some of these groups operate internationally and frequently draw attention to historical grievances and contemporary concerns.
Human rights organisations, both within India and abroad, have at times called for greater scrutiny of state actions during periods of internal conflict, emphasising the need for accountability, transparency, and protection of minority rights, including those of Sikhs, Muslims, and Dalits.
Overall, the events of 1984 remain a deeply sensitive and unresolved chapter in modern South Asian history, continuing to influence political discourse, identity, and state-community relations to this day.
The Sikh diaspora continues to protest the events of June 1984 and is persistently urging the international community to investigate what it describes as the Sikh genocide in India. The exiled Babbar Khalsa International is also reported to remain active in countries such as Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, Sikh farmers in India have faced challenging legislative conditions, and their protests across the country have attracted significant international media attention.
The writer is a journalist