The story can also be named as Rise and Fall of Jarnail
Singh Bhindranwale who led a violent separatist movement,
demanding the creation of a
Sikh state by liberating Punjab
from India. There is a startling revelation that though
Pakistan assisted in violence it was a home made problem of
India born out of personal egos of her president and prime
ministers
Background: Sikh community though a miniscule percentage of
Indian population are hard working, courageous people,
widely represented in the Army and known for their
patriotic spirit. Originated from the Punjabi Hindus, they
were absolutely compatible with the Hindu community.
Profoundly religious the community contributed liberally to
the golden
temple and the Gurudwaras, the place of their
worship. Their highest religious body Shiromani Gurudwara
Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) sponsors a political
party Akali Dal –an organization led by secular Sikhs. Emergency
in 1975 had made people bitter to
congress. Once emergency
was lifted and election was held in 1977 congress was wiped
out from the Gangetic plains. Akali Dal and Janata Party
achieves power in Punjab state and a three party coalition
forms ministry at center.
Phase1. It started with ambitious Gandhi family trying to
regain power. Sanjay Gandhi-Indira’s younger son and Mr.
Zail Singh –an insider of Punjab politics took the lead. To
deprive them of SPGC money, they decided to potray Akali
Dal as an opportunistic party not concerned regarding the
interests of Sikh people and their religion. Congress
introduced a little known holy man Jarnail Singh
Bhindranwale and a fundamentalist Sikh party, Dal Khalsa
was formed with its patronage. Dal Khalsa fought SPGC
election but was defeated. To hog limelight the new party
unearths the dead issues of religious leadership and kills
the members of opponent factions.
Phase2: Inexperienced Janata rule ended premature and
Congress regained power. At Punjab state Mr.Darbara Singh
(CM) was the congress chief minister but the president of
India, Zail Singh did not like him. To embarrass the CM,
Bhindranwale was encouraged to continue terror. CM ordered
his arrest. Bhindranwale hid at Gurudwara for 5 days then
offered to surrender. The surrender turned violent.
Delivering fiery speeches against government he was taken
to custody. Only to be released after a month by Mrs Gandhi
who confirmed his innocence. Defeating the central
government, Bhindranwale.
achieved the status of Hero.
Phase 3. Akali Dal blundered. Losing power to congress,
they were searching issues to gain sympathy of public. They
joined Bhindranwale. Anandpur Sahib resolution that
included the old issues river water, Chandigarh {the
state capital) and demanded more autonomy for Punjab was
backed by both. Bhindranwale reigned supreme and began
disobeying his protector, the president. To create a sikh
state he started driving Hindus out. Coalition of Akali
congress failed to control the situation. The internal
fights of the Sikh leaders made the situation worse.
Presidents rule was imposed. Some important Sikh leaders
were arrested but Bhindranwale took shelter at Golden
temple.
Phase 4. From the golden temple premises he continued war
and gave commands for armed protests and sidelined the
Akali president Langowal. Terror reaches peak and Hindus
left Punjab in mass. Centre now sincerely wanted a
solution. The moderate leaders were released from jail.
Negotiations took place. Centre concedes Chandigarh to
Punjab. A coalition where an Akali would be the chief
minister was proposed. Tohra the proposed CM wanted
Bhindranwale to accept the formula but he rejected it. . He
wanted implementation of autonomy -- Anandpur Sahib
proposal. To flush the terrorists out of Golden temple,
military operation was taken up, which killed Bhindranwale.
Later her anguished Sikh bodyguard kkilled Mrs.Gandhi..
More reviews about the Amritsar: Mrs.Gandhi's last battle.