Why June 1 Holds Historical Weight In Punjab Politics: Operation Blue Star and More

June 1, the day Punjab votes in the final phase of the Lok Sabha election, coincides with the anniversaries of two pivotal events that have shaped the state's recent history and politics. These events have been highlighted throughout the campaign, either as direct reminders to voters or as references in speeches by various candidates.

June 1 will mark the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. This military action aimed to remove militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation began on June 1, 1984, authorised by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It led to significant casualties and damaged the Akal Takht.

The operation caused the deaths of 554 people, including four officers and 79 soldiers. However, actual casualties were likely higher, with many pilgrims among the victims. The event triggered a series of violent incidents, including the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.

Indira's assassination on October 31, 1984, led to widespread violence, killing 2,146 people in Delhi alone. The political fallout from Operation Blue Star continues to affect Punjab's politics. The Akali Dal often references the damaged Akal Takht to criticise the Congress party.

Other parties like AAP and BJP also highlight the violence that followed Indira's assassination. Many Sikh voters do not hold the current Congress leadership responsible. Rahul Gandhi has performed sewa at the Golden Temple multiple times, hoping for a positive impact in elections.

The 2015 Sacrilege Incident

On June 1, 2015, a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib was stolen from a gurdwara in Faridkot. The theft led to widespread protests across Punjab. Despite extensive searches, the holy book was not found, escalating tensions in the state.

In October 2015, torn pages from the missing saroop were found near the Bargari gurdwara. This discovery intensified the unrest, leading to police firing and the deaths of two protesters at Behbal Kalan. Over 100 incidents of sacrilege have been reported since then, some resulting in lynchings.

The sacrilege issue has deeply influenced Punjab's politics. The Akali Dal, seen as lenient towards those responsible, faced a significant defeat in the 2017 elections, winning only 15 out of 117 seats. Congress Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh was replaced in 2021 due to internal dissent over handling the sacrilege cases.

Last December, Sukhbir Singh Badal apologised for the sacrilege incidents during his tenure. The issue remains sensitive, affecting political dynamics in Punjab. In 2022, the Punjab Assembly passed a Bill for life imprisonment for sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib and other religious texts.