Operation Blue Star was a mistake, Indira Gandhi paid the price... P. Chidambaram's big statement

Operation Blue Star Was a Mistake, Indira Gandhi Paid the Price: P. Chidambaram’s Controversial Remark Sparks Political Uproar

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram has stirred a political storm with his latest comment on Operation Blue Star, calling it a “wrong approach” that ultimately cost former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi her life. Speaking at the Khushwant Singh Literature Festival in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, Chidambaram reflected on the 1984 military operation at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, stating that although it was aimed at driving out militants, the method chosen was a grave mistake.

Chidambaram’s Controversial Statement

Addressing an audience during a discussion on journalist Harinder Baweja’s book “They Will Shoot You, Madam”, Chidambaram remarked that the Operation Blue Star was a flawed decision. He stated,

“Operation Blue Star was conducted to flush out terrorists from the Golden Temple in June 1984. But it was the wrong approach, and Indira Gandhi paid the ultimate price for that mistake with her life.”

His comment quickly gained traction on social media, drawing mixed reactions from political circles and within his own party.

Congress Workers Express Displeasure

According to party insiders, Chidambaram’s statement has not gone down well with Congress leaders and workers. A senior Congress source revealed,

“The party is disappointed with Chidambaram’s remarks. From the top leadership to grassroots workers, everyone is upset. A senior leader, who has received so much from the party, should choose words more carefully. Repeated statements like these only bring embarrassment to the Congress.”

This discontent within the party highlights the sensitivity surrounding Operation Blue Star, one of the most controversial episodes in India’s political and military history.

“Not Indira Gandhi’s Decision Alone”

In an attempt to clarify his stand, Chidambaram emphasized that Indira Gandhi was not solely responsible for the decision. He explained that the move was a collective one, involving multiple branches of the government.

“Operation Blue Star was not just Indira Gandhi’s decision,” he said. “The army, police, intelligence agencies, and top administrative officials were all part of the process that led to deploying forces inside the Golden Temple. However, it turned out to be a wrong decision.”

Despite this clarification, Chidambaram’s remarks have revived political debate over a painful chapter in Indian history, when the government’s attempt to remove militants from the Sikh shrine led to massive casualties and deep communal wounds.

Rahul Gandhi’s Earlier Statement Resurfaces

Interestingly, Chidambaram’s comments echo a similar sentiment expressed by Rahul Gandhi earlier this year. In a viral video from May 4, Rahul Gandhi described Operation Blue Star as a mistake, adding that he was willing to accept responsibility for the wrong decisions made by the Congress in the 1980s.

“Whatever mistakes the Congress made before the 1980s, including Operation Blue Star, I am ready to take responsibility for them,” Rahul Gandhi had said.

His statement, much like Chidambaram’s, had sparked widespread discussion across political and public platforms.

Historical Context

Operation Blue Star, conducted in June 1984, was a military operation ordered by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to eliminate militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who had taken refuge inside the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. The operation led to heavy casualties, damage to the shrine, and massive outrage among the Sikh community. The event directly contributed to Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards later that year.

Political Implications

Chidambaram’s latest statement has once again brought Operation Blue Star back into political discourse, with critics accusing the Congress of reopening old wounds. The timing of his comment — ahead of key political events — could also add pressure on the party’s central leadership to manage internal dissent and public reaction.

While Chidambaram’s intention might have been to reflect on history, his words have reignited a debate that continues to shape India’s political and emotional landscape, even after four decades.