The experiences bestowed by Kanchi-Mahaswami — Part 49 : Khalistan, over my dead body
https://www.thuglak.com/thuglak/main.php?x=curissue/ninaithu_paarkiraen_06_10_2021.php
Author : Sri S.Gurumurthy
Translator : C.Rangarajan
Operation Blue Star
In 1981–82, Sikh terrorism started by Bhindranwale had drastic consequences. Similar to the separation of Pakistan demanded by the Muslims, the main motive of the Khalistani movement was to separate Punjab from the Indian territory and make it a separate country. Its creation is attributed to Sanjay’s selfish act for survival. It had attracted many Sikh youths and created fear amongst the patriotic Sikhs about the possibility of Khalistan. The terrorists had taken over the golden temple at Amritsar and created a huge force for combat. The military-like setup was done by two ex-army officers. They acquired a huge cache of arms including rocket launchers & AK47 guns. Before the entry of the army, a plan was created by RAW (Intelligence unit) to hijack Bhindranwale and flush him out of the temple. This detailed plan was submitted to Indira. Since she did not get the approximate figures of the casualties, she did not approve the plan. In the hindsight, this plan sounded better.
Sikh terrorism was at its worst. Many murders including the police force were committed. Eventually, Indira had decided to send the army to flush out the terrorists in the temple. She took the decision very hesitatingly. On 5th Jun 1984, the army entered the golden temple in the night and continued the night-long raid until the next day morning. On the one side, the famous golden temple is located and on the other side, Akal Takht, where Bhindranwale & other terrorists were hosted. The fight had happened between the two holy landmarks.
The terrorists were adequately prepared and killed the 1st set of twenty soldiers. Subsequently, the army started taking war-like measures including the usage of tanks. A huge cache of arms was recovered. They were having the Chinese marks and were supplied by Pakistan. On 6th June, the then defense minister, K.P.Singh Deo briefed Indira about the casualties and it has upset her. Twenty soldiers and 712 people including terrorists, civilians were dead. This operation had weakened the Indira, considerably (India Today, 30-Nov-1999)
Due to this operation, there was significant damage to the temple and Akal Takht was almost destroyed. Later, it was reconstructed. Both England & Israel had helped in the planning. Many journals were not published in Punjab. Is it possible to enact an operation of such nature, today? Not possible, since the media cannot be shut down. I hope that we all remember the role of media in the terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008.
This operation had shaken the entire nation. Army’s entry into the temple had enraged the Sikh community and they resorted to riots. Before the commencement of the operation the entire state of Punjab was handed over to the Army. The collateral damage across the state was also felt. Most of the Sikhs were nationalists but the army’s entry had enraged them too. Khuswant Singh, who was close to Indira had also opposed the entry. She got support from the few Sikh leaders in the Congress.
Hindu-Sikh Unity, the role of RSS
Outside of the political arena, this operation had created a rift between the Sikhs & the Hindus in the society. RSS alone played the mediator role between the two communities. The terrorists targeted the nationalistic people on both sides to create differences between them. Their game plan was to destroy the joint family of Sikhs & Hindus. Many RSS shakhas were attacked and swayamsevaks were killed.
But without losing patience, RSS toured the villages and campaigned for the Sikh-Hindu unity. Some Hindus who were affected by the terrorists were not happy with RSS. So too the Sikhs. The role of RSS was highlighted in the media. This endeared them to their hardcore detractors like Khushwant Singh.
Khushwant Singh’s meet
Khushwant Singh who had opposed Sikh terrorism and Khalistan separatism was not happy with the entry of the army into the temple. He was very upset. He was a friend of Indira and became her detractor, after the operation. Khushwant Singh, as the editor of “The Illustrated Weekly magazine had praised the role of RSS, before & after the operation. He had interviewed Guruji Golwalkar and published. Guruji had replied to the questions very patiently. After the interview, when Khushwant wanted to do his pranams to Guruji, he was not allowed. Khushwant mentioned that he was attracted by the magnetic persona of Sri Guruji.
RSS embarked to soothe the burns of Sikhs. In the next episode, I will write about the task that was given to me by Kanchi Mahaswami. I wanted to invite Khushwant Singh to the Guru pooja celebrations that were planned in Chennai. I went along with Balbir Punj, who was a close acquaintance of Singh. My fame was yet to soar but still, I was a known name in the Delhi media circles. Singh hugged me and gave me a warm welcome. It was an indicator of his mindset. We placed the invitation. He wanted to know the successor Guruji after Guruji Golwalkar. Then, I had explained how the Guruji got his name (he was addressed by his students in BHU) and the supremacy of the saffron flag, the only Guru in Sangha. He confirmed his participation and the message was passed on to the RSS leadership. They could not believe it.
Good news to the Nation
His participation in the Guru pooja that was held on 5th Aug 1984 at Chennai became news by itself. It warmed the hearts of the Nationalists, who were working for the Hindu-Sikh unity. Many important people of Chennai like Cho, eye specialist Dr.Badrinath had came for the meeting. Since he was universally acclaimed, his participation in an RSS meeting reached out to the different parts of the world. His famous roar, “Khalistan will be formed over my dead body” became the National headlines. Many in the meeting wept. This meeting greatly helped.
The whole nation was struggling to cope up with Sikh’s seething anger. At that time, Khushwant Singh, who was a multi-faceted personality — a famous Sikh, writer, journalist & intellectual condemning the Khalistan movement was a major shot in the arm for the struggling Nation. It gave immense satisfaction to me and still, I cherish those lovely memories
His speech appeared in the RSS magazine, Vijaya Bharatham, 10-Aug-1984
We will not allow the emergence of Khalistan
“Sikhs will not allow the Nation to be partitioned”, roared Khushwant Singh in a meeting in Chennai. Here is the gist of his speech:
“RSS & I shared a common concern about the unity of the Nation and that attracted me towards them. I am giving a vow that the Sikhs & Hindus will continue to work closely for the sake of this Nation. Raksha Bandhan is approaching and we will use that occasion to forge unity. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, JP, Guruji Golwalkar dedicated themselves to this Nation, completely. The present leader of RSS, Sri Deoras is one such leader. We need such leadership. Pseudo-secularism that runs divisive politics should be eradicated. Such measures are required in Punjab to restore the unity among people”.
“Hindu society is the original home of the Sikhs. It is very rare to see a Sikh family without Hindu relatives. My son is married to a Hindu. My wife’s relatives are Arya Samajis. The common Sikh does not worry about Khalistan & does not accept Bhindranwale. No doubt, the destruction caused to the Golden Temple has affected the feelings of the Sikh community. He further claimed that the problem was not due to the bombings from either side but by the actions taken by this Government. He then talked about the role of RSS in Nation-building and fondly remembered his meeting with the leaders of RSS — Guruji & Deoras
