In June 1984, the Indian government conducted Operation Blue Star, a military operation aimed at removing Sikh extremists who had fortified themselves inside the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. Tanks, artillery, and infantry were deployed to flush them out. However, the operation resulted in significant damage to the temple and civilian casualties. Following Operation Blue Star, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in October 1984. This tragic event triggered a wave of violence against the Sikh community, with mobs targeting Sikhs, killing thousands, looting their properties, and burning their Gurdwaras. The events of Operation Blue Star and the subsequent anti-Sikh riots deeply impacted the Sikh community, leading to increased tensions, protests, and demands for justice. Remembering this sequence of events serves as a reminder of the importance of unity, tolerance, and upholding human rights, while also highlighting the need for dialogue and reconciliation.
