Question

What is “Operation Blue Star” ? Why was it launched ?

Hint:

For this topic, remember the key elements: the year (1984), the place (Golden Temple, Amritsar), the target (Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers), and the purpose (to counter the Khalistan militant movement).

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Operation Blue Star was a significant and controversial Indian military operation that took place in 1984 in Punjab.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
What was Operation Blue Star ?
Operation Blue Star was the codename for a military action carried out by the Indian Army between 1 and 10 June 1984, inside the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) complex in Amritsar, Punjab.
Why was it launched ?
It was launched to remove militant Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his heavily armed followers who had occupied the Akal Takht within the Golden Temple complex. The militants were using the sacred shrine as a headquarters and an armoury to wage a violent secessionist campaign for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan. The government launched the operation to crush the armed militancy, restore law and order, and uphold the territorial integrity of India.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Operation Blue Star was an Indian military operation in June 1984 to flush out Sikh militants, led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who had fortified the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It was launched to end their secessionist activities and re-establish the authority of the state.