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Abstract
On 3 June 1984, the leader of the Akali Dal, Sant Jarnail Singh Longowal made an announcement for launching a state-wide morcha to prevent movement of food grains. This date coincided with the Martyr day of Guru Arjan Dev. As it was expected that the religious congregation would create chaotic conditions, the Central Government deployed large Army forces in the Golden Temple complex. This led to the gun battle for 7 hours between the militants under the control of Bhindranwale and the security forces. This enabled the armed forces to flush out the militants hiding in the Golden Temple and other religious places. According to the report by the Government reveled that the death toll during the operation as 92 soldiers, 554 civilians and militants. Operation Blue Star was followed by Operation Wood Rose that was undertaken after a few months of Operation Blue Star with the objective to clear the rural areas from militant elements. The Dal Khalsa was established in India on 13 April 1978 with the objective of creating an independent sovereign Sikh state based on the ideas of Giani Bakshish Singh, a pro-Naxalite leader of Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK). This outfit advocates in usage of violence to achieve its objectives. This outfit was responsible for hijacking an Indian Airlines aircraft to Lahore on 29 September 1981. It was declared on 1 May 1982 as an unlawful association under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. This outfit has branches in United Kingdom and in West Germany. In May 1983, in a meeting held at London by the Dal Khalsa, United Kingdom and the Babbar Khalsa, Vancouver, this association found fault with the Shiromani Akali Dal for its willingness to hold talks with the Government of India. According to Dal Khalsa, the Indian Constitution was a worthless document for Sikhs and the Dal Khalsa proposed to seek the help of International Court of Justice and the United Nations to put pressure on India ‘to quit the Sikh Homeland’. In a meeting held on 12 June 1983, Thakedar of the Dal Khalsa claimed responsibility for killing Lala Jagat Narain and Atwal, DIG. He further warned that he would take similar revenge on the police officials for the death of those killed during the Akalimorcha. In July 1983, in a meeting held at Southhall United Kingdom, Thakedar said that Dal Khalsa was getting ready for an armed struggle in Punjab and that many people in high places in Punjab expressed their support to Dal Khalsa and even Army officers were prepared to revolt.