Operation Blue Star: UK govt faces backlash from Sikh residents

London, Feb 6: The

government is likely to face a severe electoral backlash from over 4,00,000

residing in Great Britain after investigations confirmed the involvement of a UK military adviser in the assault against terrorists taking shelter in the Golden Temple of Amritsar three decades ago.

The Indian government under the then prime minister, Indira Gandhi, had launched a massive offensive codenamed Operation Blue Star to flush out terrorists from the Sikh religious shrine, causing extensive damage, both physical and sentimental.

A high number of Sikhs in Britain, who are said to play key roles in the next election, felt being let down by the UK government's advice on the military campaign in India in 1984.

The Sikhs alleged that the UK government interfered in the Indian affair to save its trade agreement with New Delhi then. They also demanded an independent probe into the issue.

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister David Cameron told the Sikh community through a video messaging that he hoped that the investigations into the event would assure the Sikhs residing in Britain and elsewhere.

OneIndia News