Wednesday Post

Today I am again going back to recent history. Now a days there has been much talk about terrorism/militancy etc. Today I am writing about a person who started his journey as a Missionary, but circumstances made him to take up the path of militancy, when he realized that the govt is not ready to give justice which his community demanded. The militancy practiced by him turned into terrorism, when people from across the border took advantage of this situation, and started  sending their people to support militants, and which ended in the demand of  separate nation for this community. Friends I am talking about the movement for Khalistan, and on whose name the misguided elements started the movement, and he is

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

Originally Bhindranwale was a Sikh Missionary, who preached to dis interested Sikh youths to live according to rule of Sikhism, and telling them to leave drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other vices. He also later became the head of most prestigious Sikh School of learning, Damdami Taksal in 1977.

He was neither in favour of Khalistan  and nor he opposed it.

On 13 April 1978, a group of Amritdhari Sikhs of Akhand kirtani Jatha went to protest against Nirankaris. The resulting violence led to the death of thirteen Sikhs. The death of the Sikhs shocked the Sikh community. The case was filed against Nirankari Chief, but he was later acquitted. Punjab Govt never appealed against the acquittal. After this Sikh started looking outside to fulfill their aspirations. This led to formation of Dal Khalsa, which put up a demand of new Sikh State.

In the summer of August 1982, Bhindranwale and the Akali Dal launched the Dharam Yudh Morchaa (battle for righteousness), with its stated aims being the fulfillment of a list of demands based on the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. Thousands of people joined the movement in the hopes of acquiring a larger share of irrigation water and the return of Chandigarh to Punjab.

He was also implicated in the death of Lala Jagat Narayan of Punjab Kesari, but was later acquitted as no direct evidence was found against him, and this was stated by then Home Minister Giani Zail Singh.

In the mean while insurgency and violence continued in the state of Punjab.As there were too many factions in Sikhs, who were  directing this moment, Govt found it difficult  to negotiate with any of them.

During July 1982, Longowal requested Bhindranwale to reside inside the Golden Temple complex. He subsequently took shelter in Golden Temple with large group of his armed followers.

Despite the objections of Giani Kirpal Singh, the Head Priest, Bhindranwale  shifted to Akal Takth, and with the blessings of Gurucharan Singh Tohra, the President of SGPC, he started fortifying the Golden Temple Complex. By this time Bhindranwale and his men had become above the law.

On June 3, 1984 then PM indira Gandhi ordered the Operation Blue Star and instructed the Indian Army to free the Golden Templex from Militants. Bhindranwale did not survive in this operation

Many expert had a belief that Bhindranwale was creation of Indira Gandhi & Giani Zail Singh. As during those days Akali Dal was getting very much popular and Congress leaders were feeling jittery, because they felt as a political  force  Akali Dal may upset Congress in Punjab, therefore they initially backed Bhindranwale, but it so happened that he became so powerful that Congress could not contain him. The main reason being the masses were fed up with congress, and they started believing in Bhindranwale.

The Harbans Singh’s Encyclopedia of Sikhism describes him as phenomenal figure of modern Sikhism, and the person who revived the glory of Sikhism and ushered a movement for religious and spiritual values

Awaiting your comments/feed backs/views.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India,

27^th May, 2019.