Amritsar: Mrs.gandhi's Last Battle.
(Mark Tully, Satish Jacob)
The story can also be named as Rise and Fall of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who led a violent separatist movement, demanding the creation of a Sikh state by liberating Punjab from India. There is a startling revelation that though Pakistan assisted in violence it was a home made problem of India born out of personal egos of her president and prime ministers Background: Sikh community though a miniscule percentage of Indian population are hard working, courageous people, widely represented in the Army and known for their patriotic spirit. Originated from the Punjabi Hindus, they were absolutely compatible with the Hindu community. Profoundly religious the community contributed liberally to the golden temple and the Gurudwaras, the place of their worship. Their highest religious body Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) sponsors a political party Akali Dal ?an organization led by secular Sikhs. Emergency in 1975 had made people bitter to congress. Once emergency was lifted and election was held in 1977 congress was wiped out from the Gangetic plains. Akali Dal and Janata Party achieves power in Punjab state and a three party coalition forms ministry at center. Phase1. It started with ambitious Gandhi family trying to regain power. Sanjay Gandhi-Indira?s younger son and Mr. Zail Singh ?an insider of Punjab politics took the lead. To deprive them of SPGC money, they decided to potray Akali Dal as an opportunistic party not concerned regarding the interests of Sikh people and their religion. Congress introduced a little known holy man Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and a fundamentalist Sikh party, Dal Khalsa was formed with its patronage. Dal Khalsa fought SPGC election but was defeated. To hog limelight the new party unearths the dead issues of religious leadership and kills the members of opponent factions. Phase2: Inexperienced Janata rule ended premature and Congress regained power. At Punjab state Mr.Darbara Singh (CM) was the congress chief minister but the president of India, Zail Singh did not like him. To embarrass the CM, Bhindranwale was encouraged to continue terror. CM ordered his arrest. Bhindranwale hid at Gurudwara for 5 days then offered to surrender. The surrender turned violent. Delivering fiery speeches against government he was taken to custody. Only to be released after a month by Mrs Gandhi who confirmed his innocence. Defeating the central government, Bhindranwale. achieved the status of Hero. Phase 3. Akali Dal blundered. Losing power to congress, they were searching issues to gain sympathy of public. They joined Bhindranwale. Anandpur Sahib resolution that included the old issues river water, Chandigarh {the state capital) and demanded more autonomy for Punjab was backed by both. Bhindranwale reigned supreme and began disobeying his protector, the president. To create a sikh state he started driving Hindus out. Coalition of Akali congress failed to control the situation. The internal fights of the Sikh leaders made the situation worse. Presidents rule was imposed. Some important Sikh leaders were arrested but Bhindranwale took shelter at Golden temple. Phase 4. From the golden temple premises he continued war and gave commands for armed protests and sidelined the Akali president Langowal. Terror reaches peak and Hindus left Punjab in mass. Centre now sincerely wanted a solution. The moderate leaders were released from jail. Negotiations took place. Centre concedes Chandigarh to Punjab. A coalition where an Akali would be the chief minister was proposed. Tohra the proposed CM wanted Bhindranwale to accept the formula but he rejected it. . He wanted implementation of autonomy -- Anandpur Sahib proposal. To flush the terrorists out of Golden temple, military operation was taken up, which killed Bhindranwale. Later her anguished Sikh bodyguard kkilled Mrs.Gandhi..
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