Army Attack on the Golden Temple (June 1984)

In order to suppress peaceful political agitation named “Dharam Youth Morcha” initiated by Sikhs to secure their political rights, Indira Gandhi had launched an armed attack on various Sikh Gurudwaras in the northern states of Punjab and Haryana. Nearly 36 Sikh Gurudwaras were attacked by Indian army during this armed attack that was code-named as “Operation Blue Star”.

The attack had begun on June 4, 1984 – a day when Sikhs were observing martyrdom day of their Fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjun Sahib and Sikh pilgrims in large numbers had gathered in Gurudwaras.

During this attack thousands of Sikh pilgrims were killed by Indian Army. Sikh leader Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale along with about two hundred Sikh fighters attained martyrdom while defending Sri Darbar Sahib and Akal Takhat Sahib at Amritsar.

After this attack Indian army had initiated another activity that was code-named as “Operation Wood Rose” aimed at finishing away political dissent of Sikhs by physical elimination of Sikh youth from Punjab, the only Sikh majority state in India.

On October 31, 1984 Bhai Beant Singh and Bhai Satwant Singh, two Sikh bodyguards of Indira Gandhi shot her dead. Their act was stood as avowal to the fact that anyone who dared to attack Sri Darbar Sahib was brought to justice as per Sikh traditions.

Both Bhai Beant Singh and Bhai Satwant Singh were later shot at by other bodyguards of Indira Gandhi. There were reports that after shooting at Indira Gandhi Bhai Beant Singh and Satwant Singh had laid their weapons and they were shot at by other bodyguards of Indira Gandhi after being taken into custody.

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