P. Chidambaram, a senior Congress leader and former Home Minister, has ignited controversy with his recent statements regarding Operation Blue Star, calling it a "mistake" and asserting that Indira Gandhi "paid with her life" for it. His remarks, made at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival in Kasauli on Saturday, have drawn strong reactions from within his own party and the opposition.
Chidambaram stated that the 1984 military operation inside the Golden Temple was the "wrong way" to deal with Sikh militants. He argued that while there was a way to capture the militants without military intervention, the decision to storm the shrine was a "cumulative mistake" involving the Army, Intelligence, Police, and Civil Defence, and not solely the responsibility of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He contrasted Operation Blue Star with a later operation, likely referencing Operation Black Thunder, where the Army was kept out, which he believes demonstrated the "right way" to handle such situations.
"There was a way to retrieve and capture all militants, but Operation Blue Star was the wrong way, and I agree that Mrs. Gandhi paid with her life for that mistake," Chidambaram stated. He added, "That mistake was a cumulative decision of the Army, Police, intelligence and civil services. You cannot blame it only on Mrs. Gandhi".
Operation Blue Star, conducted between June 1 and 10, 1984, was a military offensive ordered by Indira Gandhi to remove Sikh militants, led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who had taken shelter inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation deeply scarred the Sikh community and ultimately led to Indira Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.
Chidambaram's comments have sparked disapproval from the Congress party's top leadership, with sources indicating that they are "very upset" with his remarks. Party insiders have cautioned senior leaders against making public statements that could embarrass the party. One source stated, "Leaders who have gained everything from the Congress must show restraint".
The BJP has seized upon Chidambaram's comments, calling Operation Blue Star a "political misadventure" rather than a national necessity. The ruling party has challenged the Congress to clarify its stance and questioned whether it would take action against Chidambaram for "speaking the truth and exposing their false narrative". Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "Chidambaram-ji admits the Congress blunders too late".
This is not the first time Chidambaram's statements have stirred controversy. He previously stated that he personally supported military retaliation against Pakistan following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks but that the UPA government opted for diplomatic restraint due to pressure from international powers. This earlier remark also drew criticism and prompted accusations that the Congress bowed to foreign pressure.
Responding to Chidambaram's recent remarks, Congress leader Rashid Alvi accused him of echoing the BJP's line and suggested he might be under pressure. "Whether Operation Blue Star was right or wrong is a debatable issue. But after 50 years, what is P Chidambaram's compulsion to keep targeting the Congress? By saying Indira Gandhi took a wrong step, he is doing exactly what the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi do," Alvi said.
