Pro-Khalistani slogans raised at Golden Temple in Amritsar on anniversary of ‘Operation Blue Star’

On Tuesday, June 6, the 39th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, a crowd gathered near the Golden Temple, raising pro-Khalistan slogans and waving Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale posters and swords. 

In a video shared by news agency ANI, pro-Khalistani supporters can be seen holding posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and raising slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’.

Simranjit Singh Mann, a leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and a member of parliament, address the masses. Meanwhile, Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh asked all Sikh organizations to get together and conduct an awareness campaign on Sikhism throughout the state’s villages.

According to the police, security measures were heightened in Amritsar to ensure the prevention of any untoward incidents. Arpit Shukla, the Special Director General of Police (law and order), personally inspected the security arrangements in Amritsar on Sunday prior to the anniversary of Operation Bluestar.

In response to potential security threats, local police and paramilitary forces have increased patrols and implemented stringent security measures. Arpit Shukla stated that 68 checkpoints have been established for round-the-clock monitoring, and patrolling teams have been deployed in key locations throughout the city.

Operation Bluestar, conducted in 1984, was a military operation carried out by the Indian government to flush out armed Sikh militants who had fortified themselves inside the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. The operation aimed to restore law and order, but it resulted in significant damage to the holy site and loss of lives. Bluestar remains a controversial event in Indian history, leading to broader repercussions in the years that followed.