Rise of militancy in Punjab from "summary" of A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir
The rise of militancy in Punjab during the 1980s was a turning point in India's history. The root cause of this movement can be traced back to the demand for a separate Sikh state, known as Khalistan. The issue gained momentum with the rise of the Akali Dal, a Sikh political party advocating for greater autonomy for Punjab. Tensions escalated in the early 1980s when the Indian government launched Operation Blue Star, a military operation aimed at flushing out Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This move was deeply resented by the Sikh community and led to widespread outrage and protests across Punjab. The assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for Operation Blue Star further inflamed the situation. In the aftermath of her assassination, anti-Sikh riots broke out in Delhi and other parts of the country, resulting in widespread violence and bloodshed. The government's handling of the situation further alienated the Sikh community, pushing many young Sikhs towards militancy. Various militant groups emerged, such as the Khalistan Liberation Force and Babbar Khalsa, who carried out acts of violence and terrorism in the name of Khalistan. The period of militancy in Punjab was marked by a spiral of violence, with frequent clashes between militants and security forces. The state witnessed a breakdown of law and order, as well as economic stagnation due to the ongoing conflict. The situation ultimately came to a head in the late 1980s and early 1990s when the Indian government launched Operation Black Thunder and Operation Rakshak to crack down on militant activities in Punjab. These operations, along with the arrest of key militant leaders, marked the beginning of the end of the militancy in the region. The legacy of the Punjab militancy continues to haunt the state to this day, with scars of the conflict still visible in the form of communal tensions and political instability. The rise of militancy in Punjab serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of divisive politics and the importance of addressing grievances through dialogue and reconciliation.
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