Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P. Chidambaram has termed the 1984 Operation Blue Star a “wrong approach,” saying that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi paid the ultimate price for that decision with her life.
Speaking at the Khushwant Singh Literature Festival 2025 on Saturday, Chidambaram reflected on the events that shaped India’s turbulent 1980s, including the storming of the Golden Temple.
“Operation Blue Star was a cumulative decision involving the army, police, intelligence, and civil services. While I have no disrespect for the military, it was the wrong approach to reclaim the Golden Temple,” Chidambaram said during a conversation with author Harinder Baweja, discussing her book They Will Shoot You, Madam: My Life Through Conflict.
He emphasized that Operation Black Thunder, carried out later under a civilian-led plan, was the correct model for restoring order in Punjab while keeping the army out of the sacred Sikh shrine.
“You can’t blame Indira Gandhi alone,” the former Home and Finance Minister added, clarifying that it was a collective decision influenced by the prevailing circumstances of militancy and rising tensions in Punjab.
📜 Background: What Was Operation Blue Star?
Operation Blue Star was a 10-day military operation conducted between June 1 and June 10, 1984, under orders from then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Indian Army stormed the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar to flush out armed militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was believed to have stockpiled weapons inside the holy shrine.
Bhindranwale, the head of the Damdami Taksal, and many of his followers were killed during the operation. The assault deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide and remains one of the most controversial military actions in India’s post-independence history.
A few months later, on October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards Beant Singh and Satwant Singh at her residence in New Delhi. Her killing triggered widespread anti-Sikh riots that left thousands dead.
🔍 Chidambaram’s Reflection: “Right vs. Wrong Approach”
Drawing a sharp contrast, Chidambaram praised Operation Black Thunder (1988), which successfully reclaimed control over the Golden Temple without using the army, relying instead on Punjab Police and paramilitary forces.
“We showed the right approach later — restoring peace without desecrating faith. It was firm, but sensitive,” he noted.
The former Union Minister’s remarks have sparked renewed debate about accountability and decision-making within the Congress government of the 1980s.
💬 Political Reactions Expected
Chidambaram’s comments are likely to reignite old political controversies. While Congress has historically defended Operation Blue Star as a “last resort against armed insurgency,” several leaders have, over the years, acknowledged its tragic consequences.
Political observers believe his statement may prompt both Congress veterans and Sikh community leaders to revisit the legacy of 1984 and its long-lasting impact on Indian politics.
