Operation Blue Star Wrong Approach, Says P Chidambaram; Indira Gandhi Sacrificed Her Life

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram described Operation Blue Star as a "mistake" and the "wrong way" to flush out terrorists from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, stating that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi paid with her life for that decision. He made these remarks on Saturday during a discussion on They Will Shoot You, Madam, a book by journalist Harinder Baweja, held at the Khushwant Singh Literature Festival in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh.

The 80-year-old former Union Home Minister emphasized that while the operation was carried out on Indira Gandhi's instruction, it was a cumulative decision involving the army, police, intelligence, and civil services, and therefore she alone cannot be blamed.

"There was a way to capture all the militants without causing the destruction that occurred. Operation Blue Star was the wrong approach, and I agree that Mrs. Gandhi paid with her life for that mistake. But it was a collective decision involving the army, police, intelligence, and civil officials. You cannot blame only Mrs. Gandhi," Chidambaram said, stressing he meant no disrespect to any military personnel.

He further noted that the Army should have been kept out of the operation to retrieve the Golden Temple. "No disrespect to any military officers here, but Operation Blue Star was not the correct way to retrieve the Golden Temple. A few years later, we demonstrated the right approach by keeping the Army out," he added.

Chidambaram also highlighted that the real issue in Punjab today is economic, not the separatist Khalistan movement. "My visits to Punjab have led me to believe that the political cry of Khalistan and separation has practically died down. The real problem is the economic situation... most illegal migrants are from Punjab," he said.

Operation Blue Star was launched on June 1, 1984, targeting Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was inside the Golden Temple. The operation continued until June 8, resulting in the neutralization of Bhindranwale but also causing significant damage to the Akal Takht, which sparked widespread anger within the Sikh community. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards months after the operation.