Chidambaram Reflects: Operation Blue Star — A Tragic Error That Cost Indira Gandhi Her Life

Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram has reignited a deeply sensitive historical debate, unequivocally labelling 'Operation Blue Star' a profound 'mistake' that ultimately led to the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. His candid remarks delve into one of independent India's most turbulent chapters, underscoring the enduring pain and controversy surrounding the military action at the Golden Temple in 1984.

Chidambaram's statement is not merely a political commentary but a somber reflection on a pivotal moment in the nation's history.

He articulated that the decision to send troops into the holiest shrine of Sikhism was an error in judgment, one that carried the ultimate price for the Prime Minister. "She paid with her life," he reportedly stated, a powerful and poignant acknowledgement of the direct, tragic link between the operation and Gandhi's untimely demise just months later.

Operation Blue Star, launched in June 1984, aimed to remove Sikh separatists led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who had fortified themselves within the Harmandir Sahib complex (Golden Temple) in Amritsar.

While the government cited concerns over national security and rising extremism, the military action, particularly the entry of armed forces into the sacred complex, deeply wounded Sikh sentiments worldwide. The operation resulted in significant casualties, including Bhindranwale, and left an indelible scar on the Sikh community's psyche.

The fallout was immediate and severe.

Just four months after the operation, on October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, in an act widely perceived as retaliation for Operation Blue Star. Her death plunged the nation into a period of intense grief and communal violence, particularly the anti-Sikh riots that followed, which claimed thousands of innocent lives across India.

Chidambaram's recent comments bring the focus back to the long-term consequences of political and military decisions.

By characterizing Operation Blue Star as a 'mistake', he joins a chorus of voices, both within and outside the Congress party, who have over the decades questioned the wisdom and necessity of the operation. His assertion that Gandhi "paid with her life" serves as a stark reminder of the immense human cost and the complex web of events that unfolded from that fateful decision.

This re-evaluation by a senior political figure highlights the ongoing need for historical introspection and an understanding of the profound impact such events have on a nation's collective memory and future trajectory.