In the 1980s, the militant Sikh movement known as the Khalistan Movement developed into a secessionist movement under the leadership of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Aligning with the Akali Dal, Bhindranwale launched the Dharam Yudh Morcha in 1982, to implement the Anandpur Sahib Resolution.
Bhindranwale had risen to prominence in Sikh political circles with his policy of getting the Anandpur Resolution passed, failing which he wanted to declare a separate nation called Khalistan as a homeland for Sikhs.
Bhindranwale is credited with launching Sikh militancy in Punjab. He raised the level of rhetoric on the perceived ‘assault’ on Sikh values from the Hindu community. Bhindranwale and his followers started carrying firearms at all times. In 1983, to escape arrest, he along with his militant cadre occupied and fortified the Sikh shrine Akal Takht in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. He made this his headquarters and led the terrorist campaign in Punjab and other parts of India.
On June 1, 1984, Operation Blue Star was launched by the Indian Army to remove him and armed militants from the Golden Temple complex. On June 6, Bhindranwale was eliminated in the operation.
The operation carried out in the temple caused outrage among the Sikhs and increased support for the Khalistan Movement. Four months after the operation, on October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated in vengeance by her two Sikh bodyguards.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's death led to the killing of Sikhs in the ensuing 1984 anti-Sikh riots. These events played a major role in the violence by Sikh militant groups supported by Pakistan and consumed Punjab till the early 1990s when the Khalistan Movement eventually died out.
The extremist violence had started with targeting Nirankaris and was followed by an attack on the government machinery and Hindus. Ultimately, Sikh terrorists also targeted Sikhs with opposing viewpoints. This led to further loss of public support and the militants were eventually brought under control of law enforcement agencies by the early 1990s.
All-India Sikh Students Federation President Bhai Amrik Singh holds a torch to enable Sant Bhindranwale to look at the newly released Khalistan passport at his headquarters in Mehta Chowk, Punjab, in 1982.
Khalistan protagonist Balbir Singh Sandhu releases a Khalistan passport by offering ardas (prayers) at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.
Khalistan protagonist Balbir Singh Sandhu (right) with a supporter displays a passport of Khalistan in the Golden Temple, Amritsar.
All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) president Bhai Amrik Sigh (right) and secretary Harminder Singh Sandhu speak to media persons at their camp office in the Golden Temple Complex in Amritsar in 1982.
Sikh students at Mehta Chowk, Punjab.
Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale outside Guru Nanak Niwas in the Golden Temple complex Amritsar.
Sant Bhindranwale inside the Golden Temple Complex, Amritsar.
Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale at Guru Nanak Niwas. Golden Temple Complex in Amritsar.
Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale stretches out his arm to take a petition from a follower from his bed in Guru Nanak Niwas in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar.
Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale
Sikh militant leader Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale with his supporters on the roof of Guru Nanak Niwas in the Golden Temple complex, Amritsar, Punjab.
Sikh seperatist leader Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale (second from left) with Akali Dal leader Sant Longowal in Amritsar, Punjab.
Militants on rooftops guard the Golden Temple complex on the eve of Operation Blue Star, Amritsar, in June 1984.
A group of Sikh militants playing volleyball in a market in Amritsar in 1984.
Villagers carry the body of a Sikh militant killed by the Punjab Police in an encounter.
Sikh leader Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale
Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale addressing his last press conference in the Akal Takht on the eve of Operation Blue Star in June 1984.
A child holding his father’s carbine in the Golden Temple complex.
A Sikh militant watches with binoculars the movement of the Indian Army, which surrounded the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. A large number of minor children had accompanied militants who were lodged inside the complex.
Sikh militants strengthen their fortified positions with sandbags atop minarets in the Golden Temple complex to face an Indian Army operation in June 1984.
Young Sikh boys deployed inside the Golden Temple complex on the eve of Operation Blue Star in June 1984.
Brigadier Shahbeg Singh (Retd) who had become Bhindranwale's military adviser and chief operational planner of the Golden Temple's defences shows his photograph in the Indian Army uniform.
Young Sikh displays his martial training during a procession at Anandpur Saib, Punjab.
Sant Bhindranwale meeting his supporters in Guru Nanak Niwas in Golden Tempple complex, Amritsar.
Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale addressing audience in Teja Singh Samundari Hall in Golden Temple Complex. Photograph: Sondeep Shankar
Follower guarding the Akal Takhat where Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was staying on the eve of army action code named Operation Black Star, June 1984. Photo by Sondeep Shankar
Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale greets Akali Leaders sitting on the dias during a meeting.
Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale on his way to the parikrama of Golden Temple
Bibi Amarjit Kaur widow of Fauja Singh killed in a clash by Nirankari's along with 12 others near Amritsar, Punjab.
Bibi Amarjit Kaur widow of Fauja Singh killed in a clash by Nirankari's along with 12 others near Amritsar, Punjab.
Children wearing traditional ‘gatka dress’ in Golden Temple parikrama.
Joginder Singh Brar, father of Sant Bhindranwale in the Golen Temple complex, against portrait of his slain son, Amritsar, 1984.
Surinder Singh Sodhi, a close associate of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale reads from the holy book on sitting on roof top of the Langar building.
Surinder Singh Sodhi
Sikh volunteers on a fund raising drive to repair damage to the Golden Temple complex during the army action called Operation Blue Star in June 1984. Photo by Sondeep Shankar
Sikh Jatha’s (volunteers) being honoured at Akal Takhat befor courting arrest in Amritsar- 1983.
The first photos of the damaged Akal Takhat after the army action Operation Blue Star on Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, June 1984. Photo by Sondeep Shankar
Sikh militants, who were firing from inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, come out of the complex to surrender, bringing Operation Black Thunder, launched by the Punjab Police, to a close.
A soldier guards weapons recovered from militants in the Golden Temple complex.
Shaheedi Jathas (groups prepared for sacrifices) of Sikhs gathered at Golden Temple complex, in Amritsar for court arrest as part of Dharam Yudh Morcha.
Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale addressing audience in Teja Singh Samundari Hall in Golden Temple Complex. Photograph: Sondeep Shankar
Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) personnel in the Golden Temple after Operation Black Thunder to flush militants out of the complex was completed in Amritsar, Punjab.
This is the first photograph of the Akal Takht destroyed in Operation Blue Star in June 1984.
Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) personnel in the Golden Temple after the Operation Black Thunder to get the militants out of the complex was completed in Amritsar, Punjab.
Golden Temple complex on June 03, 1984, a day before the army action code named Operation Blue Star began. Photo by Sondeep Shankar
Bhai Joginder Singh, father of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale during a press conference in Golden Temple complex after Operation Black Star - 1984. Photo by Sondeep Shankar
Bhai Joginder Singh, father of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale during a press conference in Golden Temple complex after Operation Black Star - 1984. Photo by Sondeep Shankar