Eyewitness account of Op Bluestar week & build-up: Abridged Ep 1198 with Shekhar Gupta

[@MandeepKaur-qp8vy]

In 1975 Shabeg Singh was asked by Indira Gandhi to suppress the Bihar Movement through harsh measures and arrest Jayaprakash Narayan. Shabeg Singh wrote a letter back stating that the Indian Army should not be involved in political matters. Shabeg Singh was assigned a command at area headquarters in Bareilly. Later the Indian Army threw charges under special clauses which were never invoked in the British Indian Army and has been invoked in the Indian Army only in his case, the case was related to him buying a Jonga on proxy. Shabeg Singh was stripped of his rank without court-martial and thus denied his full pension. Two charge sheets in an anti-corruption court were brought against him in Lucknow by India's Central Bureau of Investigation. Singh sought redress in civil courts, and was acquitted of all charges on February 13, 1984.

[@vickysehgal5505]

Ohk

[@vickysehgal5505]

So his reason for anger on the system was genuine.

[@Tom-ds5uk]

Very few people like you plunge deeper most just comment without knowing much.

[@vishalsrivastava30]

He was acquitted of all charges in February, then why did he continue his association with militants

[@brar1320]

​@vishalsrivastava30 the damage was done

[@rahulgolikeri1187]

One of our finest reporters of contemporary history and story telling.... thank you so much Shekharji 🙏

[@gargi96]

I was a little boy then in my hometown of Allahabad Shekhar Sir. Now 60 years and a retired Professor of politics from the FLAME University, Pune where you gave a convocation address last year, in 2023. Got that book on Kindle to put things in perspective just now in which you have your article. Please continue with your presentation in as nice a detail as possible.

[@mdirtydogg]

What sets this episode apart is that it is from your heart and almost cathartic. One cannot imagine what you must have witnessed.

[@ktsingh7206]

Small world Sir, i also went to PU. In 1984 visited the Command Hospital in Delhi where some of the injured were admitted and got to hear their side of the story. A very tragic and sad era of history. There must be healing and closure. That chapter must never be repeated in our country.

[@ravisingh7928]

Healing and closure... Can only start with the truth... First the state must come out with the truth. There can be no start to closure and healing, which is built on on falsehood

[@rushikesh.chaubal]

Learning these facts and listening to these well narrated and lesser known stories made me totally emotional.

[@ushakher5593]

You are a great story teller Shekhar. 1984was a real tough time for Indian history. I vividly remember the days we used to sit glued to our TV sets to get any news on any video clip of operation Blue star

[@twisha1985]

Thank you for recommending these books !

[@kalikadian]

Very well narrated. Thank you!

[@gopalakrishnanunnikrishnan9346]

Brilliant talk sir , it was very very informative

[@bruceborges]

These are amazing stories, sad, gruesome but amazing and need to be told. Thank You Shekhar

[@kalpathisridhar]

Very inspiring. This should never again happen in this country or anywhere. Today's Punjab is not reassuring. Praying to God for peace in Punjab and Manipur.

[@ninderkaurdhindsa8656]

People should read BD Pande' the governor of Punjab at that time also

[@debajyotichakravarti4085]

Looking forward for more episodes on this.

[@Eskay-USA]

So very informative! Please tell us more!

[@kundanpowar5944]

Hundreds of brave Indian soldiers laid their lives in the line of duty in the pursuit of one final push that was believed would end militancy in Punjab. Bravery of those heroes would never be celebrated like it would be in a war against an enemy state.

[@captneerajmadan3151]

The onus of providing intelligence inputs lies with Intelligence Bureau, RAW, Punjab Police . The operational strategy of the army was based on these faulty inputs. The political mandate was to use minimum force & no damage to Harmandir Sahib & Akal Takht. @ 18:50 , the army is faulted for increasing the force level incrementally, well given the Intelligence inputs , political pressure, what else did you expect?

[@ajeetrayakar7582]

Beautifully narrated 🙏👍

[@RamRamaswami]

Shekharji: It was a gripping story from start to finish. It was said well, and had to be said at least to clear up a lot of misunderstanding and propaganda that continues to this day.

[@pushkarranade]

Great telling of a tragedy. Thank you Sir

[@sm1256]

The things we should remember is our Independence struggle (I don't mean how Gandhi and Nehru emerged as heroes, there are hundreds of other heroes), Pain of Partition, Story of Indians in Burma in 1940's etc. Don't need to remember Khalistan freedom struggle.

[@jaspalsingh2075]

Mr shekhar I m 72 years + living in Delhi if you want to come with me for few more information welcome

[@diehardparamveer]

Never did Shekhar investigate on what was wrong with the demands of Sant ji. Never does he investigate on the intentions of Indira and the Indian state in general towards Sikhs. But why would he? the hidden agenda is served and that is all that matters.

[@neerajsinghbhar966]

Yes u r right

[@vickysehgal5505]

Unfortunate, sad days - very well described.

[@NoName-jq7tj]

Shekar Gupta says that Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwala wanted a federal system rather than a separatist country. Gupta has always said Sant Bhindranwala never mentioned the “K” word, but than why does his than publication India Today still today say that Sant Bhindranwala is the chief of Khalistan? This is ongoing propaganda do portray him has a separatist.

[@tjtj2735]

You want a federal system, use the ballot box. Win over your people to like it. Certainly not by guns.

[@NoName-jq7tj]

@@tjtj2735 Who said anything about guns? The Indian state wasn’t even willing to talk to the Sant. This is clear fact. The Akali Dal held a number of meetings with representatives of the government throughout 1983/84 which mounted to nothing because Indira Gandhi wanted to play them for her own gain. Ignorant people like you say use the ballot box? First let’s see if the state allows such a referendum of sorts take place. Have they got the guts to relinquish power? Weapons were the last resort & proofed to be absolutely pivotal when the armed forces entered. Weapons are a part of Sikh identity equal to the turban & unshorn hair. Some 400,000 people voted for Bhai Amritpal Singh who clearly & openly talked about Khalistan. So that’s a start.

[@AmritpalSingh-cz2ec]

Still hiding a facts. All politician, army commanders, journalist and govt officials said that they wanted minimum damage as much possible but still hiding the fact that they chooses to attack on Shri Darbar Sahib on the day when sikhs remembering Shaheedi of Guru Arjan Dev ji and visiting in Darbar Sahib in large numbers. And Army lift a curfew so that large number of pilgrimages enter the shri Darbar Sahib when they launching attack. We never forget 1984 Who distributed laddos on street after attack on Darbar sahib. Who raised the slogan"kach karha kirpan ehna bhejo pakistan" or "bidi cigarette piya ge shan se jiye ge" Who burned and looted sikh reference library. We know everything what our father, grandfather, mothers suffered.

[@ranjitpal9937]

Keep Posting

[@idrisshaikh4415]

This was heavy... Please also detail how Punjab was resolved

[@maheshdocherla]

Arms reaching the knees in a man is a frequent feature of handsomeness in men in classical literature in Telugu, alongside tall & dark. In Telugu, they are called AJANUBAHUDU. But, medically, a normal healthy man CANNOT have arms reaching his knees in a standing position. Anyone can refer to the VITRUVIAN MAN of LEONARDO DA VINCI, which set the standards for human anatomical studies i.e before the era of dissection.

[@nikhilchowdary5824]

Mr Gupta is perhaps one of the few Indian journalists who presents facts

[@OjaswiniRandive-sx7kc]

You explained it well ❤

[@Mukesh-md3bj]

Lt ramprakash roparia was ex sainik school kunjpura My almamater

[@surob08]

It's definitely very important to discuss Operation Blue Star today after 40 years. When we have so many other critical issues today, the best is to open up the wounds and try to instigate some unrest. Why not.... Didn't expect from you

[@jasha9sandhu]

You don't know the ground level situation in Punjab where pro-khalistani Propaganda has been seizing the narrative over the last 10 years, partly contributing to openly pro-khalistan candidates winning in recent elections. In such a time, such retelling of historical events from a rational perspective is much needed.

[@ChandranPrema123]

What about Khalistani Separatistm??? Tukde tukde gang

[@NitiShekhar]

Where it all started 1. Bhakhra Nangal Dam 2. Choosing hindi as their mother tongue by hindus of punjab 3. Creation of Chandigarh as joint capital It all set in a kind of feeling of alienation among sikhs which was further stoked by Pakistan. The wealthy sikh farmers of US and Canada provided the money power. Infact bhindravale himself was creation of Indian government to counter akalis in punjab. He was a clear case of Frankenstein monster. Operation blue star was under taken as last resort, bhindravala had called sikh jathas from all across punjab to gather at Amritsar and there was plan to declare independence of Punjab. With gathering of such a large number of civilians indian govt would have been reduced to a mere helpless spectator. Nevertheless the operation carried out itself was tactical blunder. A cleaner operation as demonstrated by operation black thunder would have achieved similar results with with little consequences. May be it was the desperation of govt resulting into such catastrophe.

[@NoVideo2024]

Hindi mother tongue by Punjabi Hindus? 😂😂

[@AHUJASS]

Ranjit Singh ruled hindu, Sikh and Muslims with the concurrent preaching by all the three religious leaders.

[@ambrsrya]

How is it terrorism or called terrorists if Indian govt attacked first. They defended

[@manishd7177]

Hi Sir, ThePrint is a great platform for knowing contemporary history...it's interesting always to hear you...recommended for all UPSC aspirants...But I am not sure if it is great journalism and I may be wrong...with all due respect to you.

[@mrinalchandra]

Although it is said in the video, that link will be shared for the "WALK THE TALK" bit with Gen. Brar - I don't see it anywhere. Slipped someone's mind?

[@ChandranPrema123]

Indira Gandhi supported Bhindranwale despite RAW saying this is a Suicide😢. GBS Sidhu was right. And BJP should stop doing appeasement politics

[@subrotolahiri8583]

Very interesting

[@SaacHaak]

India need to evolve democratic institutions with transparency, auditable and answerable for long term stability. When corrupt advisors mislead nation by labeling common citizen as agent, terrorist without any judicial justification then foreign forces are quick to harvest fault lines No citizen should be labelled terrorist , agent or other anti national label. Three tier democracy with autonomous power is long term stable way of success

[@debajyotichakravarti4085]

Good!!

[@Shrvp]

Sad. Fascinating. Tragic. Heroic. But a captivating narrative. At the end of this series, (I presume it to be so) pls draw parallel with present day Punjab if any. The Khalistani problem is revisiting India. The signs are there. The election results are worrying. The present govt of Modi Shah doesn't seem to have stomach for hard decision as evident from their handling if Farm Law protests, anti CAA and Shahin Baug protests. With extremely active SM the Govt might panic and make wrong choices.

[@AHUJASS]

Europe and UK try to unite as one identify as was a decade back but UK withdrawn, whereas India was one unit under British regime because it didn't heart the diversified country.

[@sameermadan7632]

Who was responsible for the killing of hundreds of Hindus in Punjab?? This started with the killing of Lala Jagat Narain publisher of Punjab Kesri and then hundreds of Hindus were killed in targeted attacks in buses, trains and parks. You have amnesia regarding the silence of the Sikhs in these massacres. I was a school boy but still remember them till this day.

[@unknowninamerica]

Sikh are not silent about the massacre of Hindus they celebrate it.

[@rednihb]

And where has he said that the terrorists were not responsible ? And overall 20000 people died in the Punjab militancy, not hundreds.

[@MRSINGH.OFFICIAL]

Anti Sikh Arya Samaji Lala was executed for his sins for doing beadbi. Your Indian government itself killed innocent punjabis to put blame on Sikhs for electoral gains. Our people know the hate speeches given by Congress Arya Samajis starting from 1947-84

[@mannilehal7546]

All hindus are killed by punjab police cat’s .. retd. Inspecter Gurmeet singh pinki said many times in his interviews

[@Rohitsingh-wn2mr]

Special frontier force also took part in operation

[@ramgopalrengaraj1877]

Sad memory

[@kamalmallaya9347]

Genral shabeg singh won court case about his unfair dismissal means he was right about racism

[@sujatachokhawala2734]

🙏🙏🙏

[@speedbird109]

Do the bjp and other party politicians in power in Punjab care about this history? Don’t think so. Then what is its relevance?

[@ravisehgal.2694]

Any Ruler / CEO of Nation and NOT KING have two goals to achieve (Like Kings) to collect Taxes and to Secure their Borders.(Why Disclaimer for King cause we do not NEED a King). So whether BJP in Power or any other Party by Virtue of being Ruler has to Secure Border towards West. So we can NOT expect much as subjects NOT Citizens. As Long as elected representatives want Huge Banglows , Swanky Cars and Gun Totting Security their Priorities are limited. The average Citizen (Subject) can be happy seeing Opposition performing and changing when the Power is in its Hands. Am witnessing it since 1975. Many came and many Left we have to fend for ourselves.

[@rednihb]

Politicians aren’t the only people who exist, in fact they are a small minority, doesn’t matter if they didn’t care

[@HoplaiKhan]

KINDLY CONSIDER DOING A FRESH CTC/FPFD ON PUNJAB. YOUR INSIGHTS ARE UNMATCHED

[@KetanSingh]

Why exactly do you want this news reinvigorated?

[@rednihb]

So that one learns from it and doesn’t allow it to be repeated

[@Tom-ds5uk]

We can leave it to you to bring the facts.

[@batsy_jr]

Man! Sekar has seen through some shit.

[@Rohitsingh-wn2mr]

How They got LMG

[@jeetindersingh1639]

After the vote share increase from 6% to 18% for BJP in Punjab just because of polarisation btw Hindus and Sikhs this man also trying to polarise Hindus in Punjab and rest of the country

[@arvindpalsingh3410]

Blue star was the result of dirty Indian politics...

[@akashsahu2571]

Cfbr

[@jaspalsingh2075]

Punjab is only state in county wich hasn’t own capital all state in county who hase divided all state has same capital who was the same name capital Big shame to Indian rulers for that shameful to all who rule after Punjab divide

[@RaviSharma-go9vc]

Please stop glorifying Bhindrawale, Mr. Gupta. Does not behove a man of your stature. He killled Hindus indiscriminately, and brought Punjab to the brink. Poor, hungry, unarmed migrant Hindus looking for work in Punjab were massacred. Bhindrawale was neither brave nor courageous, he fought in a small, well fortified space and was therefore able to inflict casualties. Any student of warfare knows that. Report him for what he was. He once said that one minibus was equal to 5000 Hindus. Couldn't last 24 hours of fighting.

[@rednihb]

The deaths and the chaos he caused is being exposed here, that is not glorification

[@jaibirkang5345]

Indian soldiers are honourable but what happened in operation blue star was also not something that happened before and it pissed the battalion that thought it to be over in few hours . Mr. Shekhar gupta you are a great reporter but sometimes you have to have biasses specially when it comes to nationalism . The timing of the operation was not appropriate when Sikh’s around the world were coming to Amritsar to commemorate the Shaheedi of our 5th Guru. Also those days were chosen to justify army operation by showing scores of people in the holy premises as terrorist who have no intention of aggression. Operation bluestar is a scar that sikhs will never forget . As you mentioned Sant Jarnail singh bhinderawale never demanded for a separate state but it was the deliberate effort of the media and the government to show it as an issue to gain national sentiments. The same is being done by today’s media when it comes to Amritpal by highlighting him as a great threat which he is not .

[@sakshambhadoria9998]

Punjab's psyche is still haunted by the events which happened 40 years ago. Recent elections of leaders who represent the radical stream in polity must force political spectrum to reflect on the restive Punjabi society especially its youth. The political parties cannot dismiss such tendencies as separatism or militancy. They have to be engaged by political mainstream and socio-economic concerns addressed by the State. Unsettled nature of polity with big names but no big leaders prove to be the biggest hurdle. AAP promised change but is struggling to fulfill its promises. It is battling Anti-incumbency and trying to build its organisation. Akalis are confronting a new reality with dwindled grassroot present and questions of relevance following incidents of katkopura firing and farmers protest. Congress is trying to regain its lost sheen. BJP is eyeing a toehold in the state where it is met with resistance.

[@gilldiljit7875]

A bunch of Lindus praising some ridiculous lies telling by another Lindu. What a shame.

[@tjtj2735]

Great story telling. Totally unnecessary deaths just because people of the same land & DNA can't sit & talk it out. They have to take extreme stance. Shameful.

[@jaspalsingh2075]

No rulers justified Punjab because they want Punjab come to Hindu/sikh devide That’s all

[@prmohanoneplus1714]

Arrogance and incompetence on the part of the Indian army that was involved in Operation Bluestar? Mr.Shekhar Gupta,did you take note of the words uttered by General K.S.Brar? General Brar has said in his interview (I am not sure as to whom he had given that particular interview).Brar says that when the job was entrusted to the army, the army had asked for three weeks time for preparation.But the Indira Gandhi government wouldn't give even three days, and had asked the army to head straight for the golden temple.So is there anything surprising about the lack of intelligence reports about the enemy position and strengths?Wonder why the then government had rushed the troops into the golden temple with precipitate haste when it had waited almost four years to move it's finger against Bhindranwale.With this kind of preparation even the IDF couldn't have carried out a military operation in a better way.

[@jaatkthaat7]

Punjab k logo ko Ghanta fark nahi pada 1984 se, Agar sharam hoti toh Congress ko vote nahi dete😂😂😂, Par inko toh BJP se nafrat hai, or Congress se pyaar

[@MRSINGH.OFFICIAL]

Yes you are correct, less than 10% population votes on this issue. Majority loves freebies.

[@mannilehal7546]

Congress ko vote sabse jada hindus ne di hai.. jinki punjab me 45% population hai .

[@jaspalsingh2075]

Modi government doing same that Punjab should again and again come in the same rute with power game

[@maheshadvani8311]

Instead of making an episode on 40 year old topic Why don't you make an episode on latest Hot Topic NEET results And the future course of action for STUDENTS

[@rednihb]

His life his choice

[@ravishankar4978]

It is already done

[@jagrajdhillon]

Secularism and Sikhi are two different concepts… SECULAR Shekhar Gupta or for that matter any other Secular person cannot understand Sikhi or Sikh Shaheeds … Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale is revered unanimously throughout Sikh Institutions … So it is wrong on part SECULARS to define SIKHS … SIKHS knows SIKHI or Sikh issues better than SECULARISTS …

[@simranjothunjan5075]

Very bad ks brar is the worst u shouldn't be quoting him

[@harindersingh1153]

Shame on you for playing with facts to show such a biased view!!

[@Radicalist-Manifesto]

❤👍

[@Anonymous-w9m]

This oldie just reposting all old episodes and fooling us.