Is this the everyday behaviour of a terrorist?
Bhindranwale’s life during ‘Operation Bluestar’
On the 3rd June 1984 the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi initiated Operation Bluestar and ordered the Indian Army to launch an attack on the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar and over forty other Gurdwaras (House of God) in Punjab to ‘flush out’ militants or so called proclaimed ‘terrorists’.
Bhindranwale, head of the Damdami Taksaal and many students and teachers perished in the conflict. Many innocent men, women and children lost their lives in the attack. This invasion was followed by Operation Woodrose in which the army supported by paramilitary and police forces went through Punjab and were told to eliminate Amritdharis (a person who has been formally initiated into the Sikh faith through having taken Khande da Pahul-holy nectar). In the eyes of the Indian Government and others Amritdharis were classed as extremists who actively took part in the act of terrorism and were dangerous people just because they wore a Kirpan (a sword which is one of the five distinguished marks of a Sikh) around them.
“The Indian Government recognised Amritdharis as ‘being dangerous and pledged to commit murders, arson and acts of terrorism and these sorts of people should immediately be brought to the notice of the authorities. These people may appear harmless from the outside but they are known for being committed to terrorism.” Indira Gandhi stated that during this time ‘no man wearing a turban should be seen.’ Bhindranwale fought against this operation to save many lives and help Sikhs keep faith in their religion.
During the time of the attack on the Golden Temple, Bhindranwale tried to defend and protect others by fighting against the Indian Army. However many males between 15 and 35 were blindfolded and taken away and thousands have disappeared in Punjab since the Army operation began. Women and young defenceless girls were paraded through streets naked and gang raped, in front of their fathers, brothers and husbands who were forced to watch as the Sikh men’s hands were tied with their turbans and some were burnt alive.
When all hope is lost, what other action can be taken to protect vulnerable loved ones and members of your society?
Indira Gandhi was assassinated, allegedly by two of her security guards who were Sikh. This triggered another orgy of violence against Sikhs and this orgy continued until November. Nearly 2,700 people were killed in Delhi some who weren’t even Sikhs and many Sikh women widowed, allegedly by the leaders of the ruling Congress Party and officials of the Government organised and encouraged these massacres.
Life’s work
Bhindranwale gained his popularity with the Punjabi people by launching an ideological crusade against the cultural corruption of Punjab. Firstly children and women, both became followers as they were relatively free of the new culture of degenerative consumption, and they were worst hit by the violence it generated. Men also joined his following replacing movies, drugs and alcohol by visiting gurdwaras and reading gurbani (Holy Scriptures) instead of ‘disturbing’ literature.
During this period Bhindranwale toured many villages and encouraged Sikh youths to return to the ways of the Khalsa, started by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This was done by not cutting their hair, intoxicating their bodies by smoking or by taking alcohol or drugs, as Sikhs believe that the body is the temple of God and by harming yourself you are harming God. Also to stop eating meat, as animals are a gift from God, and as Sikhs believe that it is wrong to kill, especially to satisfy yourself by eating meat is forbidden. Wherever he went he baptised men and women and in return, these men and women promised to preach the word of God to others and try to live their lives as good Sikhs.
I ask you, does this sound like a person who was committed to terrorism? The answer is quite simple. Yet people are quick to judge him. Could this be down to lack of understanding?
Bhindranwale’s following grew as he successfully regenerated life of purity, dedication and hard work by preaching these fundamental values of the Sikh religion’s way of life. The whole of his popularity was based on positive senses of the moral values of life.
How can a man who did so much good for his country be seen as a terrorist?
Many questioned why the Indian Government evoked such a strong reaction against Bhindranwale. Bhindranwale is a controversial figure among Hindus and Sikhs; those who considered him to be a freedom fighter believed that he was a saint and used as a symbol for Khalistan a movement for a proposed Punjab nation-state. However, among those who regarded him as a terrorist, he is thought of as a traitor to India and many people believed that he was responsible for intentionally bringing on Operation Bluestar and, was the cause for all the deaths of innocent people.
Therefore he can be perceived as an extremist, where his main aim in life was to spread the word of God? Or was it to convert people to Sikhism?
Trapped in the holy complex with his handful Sikh missionaries he breathed his last words at the feet of his Guru (Guru Granth Sahib) fighting tank based onslaught of the Indian Army on the Gurdwaras. Bhindranwale did not survive the operation and is now regarded as a “martyr” by his followers.
For those people who projected him as a terrorist Bhindranwale stated; “my mission is to administer Amrit, to explain the meanings of gurbani and to teach gurbani to those around me…and (to tell people) that a Hindu should be a firm Hindu, a Muslim should be a firm Muslim and a Sikh should be a firm Sikh.” His preaching was based on love and from this he quoted; “if we speak to someone with hatred and try to assert our superiority, it will create hatred in the minds of everyone. So as long as we have the spirit of love, so long as we have the support of Satguru Hargobind Sahib (the fifth guru), the Master of Miri and Piri (spiritual and temporal power), is there any power on earth that can subdue us?” his main objective in life was, he wanted Sikhs to ‘come back to Anandpur, their home by taking Amrit (holy nectar) and become his brothers, sisters, sons and daughters of Siri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib (the tenth guru).
Many people believe that Guru Nanak Dev Ji (the first guru) was a great man, so how Bhindranwale who followed the teachings of a ‘great man’ could be perceived as a terrorist? Although does sound like a rehearsed speech, to try and convince people that what he was doing was right?
Bhindranwale was very simplistic in his work and spoke in simple village idiom, and those who listened to him, were impressed by his simple living, personal charm and clear thinking. Bindranwale was known for his contributions towards his strong belief in his faith and was a role model for today’s youth. Therefore it should be taken into consideration that he should not be seen as a terrorist, as he sacrificed his life for what he believed was right, and what was in the best interest for his society.
