Operation Blue Star: The True Story Book Review
Operation Blue Star was one of the most controversial and debated military operations in Indian history. It was a turning point in the relations between the Indian government and the Sikh community. In this article, we will review a book that gives an insider's account of this operation, written by Lt. Gen. K.S. Brar, who led it. We will also tell you how to download this book in Punjabi, one of the languages spoken by the Sikhs.
What is Operation Blue Star?
Operation Blue Star was an Indian Army operation that was conducted in 1984 in Punjab, a state in northern India. It aimed to remove Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a Sikh leader who advocated for a separate homeland for Sikhs called Khalistan, and his followers from the Harmandir Sahib Temple Complex, also known as the Golden Temple, the holiest site of Sikhism.
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The background and context of the operation
The operation was a result of a long-standing conflict between the Indian government and some sections of the Sikh community over political, religious, and economic issues. The Sikhs felt discriminated against and marginalized by the central government, which was dominated by Hindus. They demanded more autonomy and rights for Punjab and recognition of Sikhism as a distinct religion.
In 1982, Bhindranwale joined a regional political party called Akali Dal and launched a campaign called Dharam Yudh Morcha (Religious War Front) to press for these demands. He also started arming his followers and occupying various religious buildings, including the Golden Temple. He declared his intention to create Khalistan, a sovereign state for Sikhs, by force if necessary. He also incited violence against Hindus and other communities, leading to many killings and riots.
The objectives and execution of the operation
The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, decided to launch a military operation to flush out Bhindranwale and his supporters from the Golden Temple and restore law and order in Punjab. The operation was codenamed Operation Blue Star and was carried out from June 1 to June 10, 1984.
The operation involved about 15,000 troops from various units of the Indian Army, including commandos, tanks, helicopters, and artillery. They faced about 200 militants who were heavily armed with rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers, and explosives. They had also fortified the temple complex with sandbags, bunkers, and booby traps.
The operation was divided into two sub-operations: Operation Metal, which focused on clearing the Golden Temple complex; and Operation Shop, which aimed to eliminate any remaining militants in other parts of Punjab.
The operation faced many difficulties and challenges, such as resistance from the militants, civilian casualties, damage to the temple buildings, media blackout, curfew imposition, public outrage, international criticism, and military casualties.
The aftermath and consequences of the operation
The operation succeeded in killing Bhindranwale and most of his followers and restoring control over the Golden Temple complex. However, it also had many negative consequences for India and Punjab. Some of them are:
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It sparked widespread anger and resentment among Sikhs who felt that their sacred shrine had been desecrated and their religious identity had been violated.
It led to the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984, which triggered anti-Sikh pogroms in Delhi and other parts of India, killing thousands of Sikhs.
It intensified the militancy and separatism in Punjab, resulting in more violence, bloodshed, and human rights violations for the next decade.
It damaged the reputation and credibility of the Indian Army, which was accused of using excessive force, violating human rights, and interfering in internal affairs.
It strained the relations between India and its neighbors, especially Pakistan, which supported the Khalistan movement and provided sanctuary to some of the militants.
What is the book about?
Operation Blue Star: The True Story is a book written by Lt. Gen. K.S. Brar, who was the commander of Operation Blue Star. It was first published in 1993 and has been reprinted several times since then. It is one of the few books that gives a first-hand account of the operation from the military perspective.
The author and his perspective
Lt. Gen. K.S. Brar is a retired officer of the Indian Army who served in various capacities during his career. He was born in 1934 in a Sikh family in Punjab. He joined the army in 1954 and rose to the rank of lieutenant general. He participated in several wars and operations, such as the 1965 Indo-Pak War, the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the 1987 Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, and the 1984 Operation Blue Star. He retired from the army in 1992 and settled in Mumbai. He has also written another book called The Sri Lanka Peace-Keeping Operation: The Indian Experience.
Lt. Gen. Brar wrote this book to give his version of the events that led to and followed Operation Blue Star. He claims that he was not involved in the planning or decision-making of the operation, but was only assigned to execute it at the last moment. He says that he had no personal or political agenda, but only followed his duty as a soldier. He also says that he regrets the loss of life and damage to the temple, but defends his actions as necessary and justified. He also criticizes some of the politicians, media persons, and historians who have distorted or misrepresented the facts about the operation.
The content and structure of the book
The book is divided into 12 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are:
The Prelude: This chapter gives an overview of the history and geography of Punjab and Sikhism, and explains how they shaped the political and social situation in Punjab.
The Build-Up: This chapter describes how Bhindranwale emerged as a leader of the Sikh militancy and how he occupied the Golden Temple complex.
The Decision: This chapter narrates how Indira Gandhi decided to launch Operation Blue Star and how Lt. Gen. Brar was appointed as the commander.
The Plan: This chapter outlines the objectives, strategy, tactics, and resources of Operation Blue Star.
The Assault: This chapter details how Operation Metal was carried out from June 3 to June 6, 1984.
The Mop-Up: This chapter recounts how Operation Shop was conducted from June 7 to June 10, 1984.
The Aftermath: This chapter analyzes the results and repercussions of Operation Blue Star.
The Fallout: This chapter discusses the assassination of Indira Gandhi and the anti-Sikh riots that followed.
The Backlash: This chapter examines how Operation Blue Star affected Punjab's politics, security, economy, and society.
The Truth: This chapter refutes some of the myths, rumors, allegations, and propaganda that have been spread about Operation Blue Star.
The Lessons: This chapter draws some lessons from Operation Blue Star for India's future.
The Epilogue: This chapter updates on Lt. Gen. Brar's life after retirement and his views on Punjab's current situation.
The strengths and weaknesses of the book
The book has some strengths and weaknesses as a source of information and analysis on Operation Blue Star. Some of them are:
StrengthsWeaknesses
It provides a rare insight into the military aspects of Operation Blue Star, such as the planning, execution, challenges, and contingencies of the operation. It is biased and subjective in favor of the author and the army, and does not give much space or voice to the other perspectives and stakeholders of the operation.
It is based on the author's personal experience and knowledge, as well as official documents and records, which lend credibility and authenticity to his account. It is incomplete and outdated, as it does not cover some of the recent developments and revelations related to Operation Blue Star, such as the role of foreign intelligence agencies, the involvement of other political parties, and the declassification of some files.
It is written in a clear, concise, and engaging style, with a logical flow and structure, and uses maps, diagrams, photographs, and appendices to illustrate and support his points. It is dry and technical at times, with a lot of military jargon and acronyms, which may confuse or bore some readers who are not familiar with them.
How to download the book in Punjabi?
If you are interested in reading Operation Blue Star: The True Story in Punjabi, one of the languages spoken by the Sikhs, you may be wondering how to download it in PDF format. Here are some steps you can follow:
The availability and accessibility of the book
The book was originally written in English, but it has been translated into several languages, including Punjabi. However, it is not widely available or accessible in physical or digital form. You may not find it in your local bookstore or library, or on popular online platforms like Amazon or Flipkart. You may have to search for it on some specialized or obscure websites or forums that cater to Sikh literature or history.
The steps to download the book in PDF format
One of the websites that offers Operation Blue Star: The True Story in Punjabi PDF format is [SikhBookClub.com], a website that provides free access to Sikh books and publications. Here are the steps to download the book from this website:
Go to [SikhBookClub.com] and type "Operation Blue Star" in the search box on the top right corner of the homepage.
You will see a list of results related to Operation Blue Star. Click on the one that says "Operation Blue Star: The True Story (Punjabi)" by Lt. Gen. K.S. Brar.
You will be taken to a page that shows the details of the book, such as the title, author, language, pages, size, and description. You will also see a button that says "Download PDF".
Click on the button and wait for a few seconds. A new tab will open that will show a preview of the book in PDF format.
You can either read the book online or save it offline by clicking on the download icon on the top right corner of the tab.
You can also print the book by clicking on the print icon on the top right corner of the tab.
The benefits and challenges of reading the book in Punjabi
Reading Operation Blue Star: The True Story in Punjabi may have some benefits and challenges for you as a reader. Some of them are:
BenefitsChallenges
You can read the book in your native language or one that you are comfortable with, which may enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the book.You may encounter some errors or inaccuracies in the translation of the book, which may affect its quality and reliability.
You can relate to the book more closely, as it deals with a topic that is relevant and important for your culture and community.You may face some difficulties or risks in accessing or sharing the book, as it may be banned or censored by some authorities or groups who oppose its content or message.
You can learn more about your history and identity, as well as gain a different perspective on Operation Blue Star from a Sikh point of view.You may experience some emotions or reactions that are unpleasant or disturbing, such as anger, sadness, fear, or guilt, as you read about Operation Blue Star and its impact on your people.
Conclusion
In this article, we have reviewed Operation Blue Star: The True Story by Lt. Gen. K.S. Brar, a book that gives an insider's account of one of the most controversial and debated military operations in Indian history. We have also told you how to download this book in Punjabi, one of the languages spoken by the Sikhs. We hope that this article has given you some useful information and insights on Operation Blue Star and its implications for India and Punjab.
If you are interested in reading more about Operation Blue Star, you can also check out some other books that cover this topic from different angles and perspectives, such as:
The Punjab Story by Amarjit Kaur, Rahul Bedi, et al. This is a collection of essays and articles by various journalists, writers, activists, and scholars who witnessed or studied Operation Blue Star and its aftermath.
Amritsar: Mrs Gandhi's Last Battle by Mark Tully and Satish Jacob. This is a journalistic account of Operation Blue Star and its political and historical context, written by two BBC correspondents who were in Amritsar during the operation.
Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants by Cynthia Keppley Mahmood. This is an anthropological study of the Sikh militancy and its ideology, based on interviews with some of the militants who participated in or survived Operation Blue Star.
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Operation Blue Star: The True Story and their answers:
Q: Who is the target audience of this book?
A: This book is mainly intended for readers who are interested in military history, Indian politics, Sikh culture, or Punjab affairs. It may also appeal to readers who are curious about Operation Blue Star and want to know more about it from a first-hand source.
Q: Is this book biased or objective?
A: This book is biased in favor of the author and the army, as it reflects his personal views and experiences of Operation Blue Star. It does not give much space or voice to the other perspectives and stakeholders of the operation, such as the Sikhs, the militants, the civilians, the media, or the international community. It also defends and justifies the operation as necessary and legitimate, while ignoring or downplaying its negative consequences and criticisms.
Q: Is this book reliable or accurate?
A: This book is reliable and accurate in terms of the facts and details of Operation Blue Star, as it is based on the author's personal experience and knowledge, as well as official documents and records. However, it is incomplete and outdated in terms of some of the recent developments and revelations related to Operation Blue Star, such as the role of foreign intelligence agencies, the involvement of other political parties, and the declassification of some files.
Q: Is this book easy or difficult to read?
A: This book is easy to read in terms of the language and style, as it is written in a clear, concise, and engaging manner, with a logical flow and structure. It also uses maps, diagrams, photographs, and appendices to illustrate and support its points. However, it is difficult to read in terms of the content and emotions, as it deals with a complex and sensitive topic that may confuse or disturb some readers.
Q: Is this book worth reading or not?
A: This book is worth reading if you want to learn more about Operation Blue Star from a military perspective, or if you want to understand the author's version of the events. It may also help you to gain a different perspective on Operation Blue Star from a Sikh point of view. However, it is not worth reading if you are looking for a balanced or comprehensive account of Operation Blue Star, or if you are not interested in or comfortable with reading about violence, bloodshed, and conflict. 44f88ac181