Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
Overview
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale (Punjabi: ਜਰਨੈਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਭਿੰਡਰਾਂ ਵਾਲਿ) was the leader of Damdami Taksal, a Sikh organisation based in the Punjab, India. Though never officially recognised he was also associated as the leader of an armed militant group named the Dal Khalsa. Originally a minor, but charismatic preacher in Punjab, he attained fame as the leader of the Khalistan separatist movement in India.
Rise to Popularity
In Punjab, the Congress (I) party followed a strategy of alternating communal incitement and appeasment, which were based on a desire for the popular vote and a control of the religious affairs of the Sikhs through the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC). The SGPC is the body that administered Sikh religious affairs and places of worship. This explosive mix of politics and manipulation of religious identities and communities succeeded in bringing the fringe of the Sikh far right into the forefront of State politics. Nowhere is this more evident than in Indira Gandhi's support of Bhindranwale, which succeeded in bringing a rather obscure, and radical teacher to the forefront. His political demands started attracting young male Sikhs. His most radical (and important) demand was the establishment of an Independent Khalistan, separate from India. Bhindranwale exploited the political frustrations of the Sikhs and succeeded in mobilizing a fundamentalist platform. Despite his seccessionist ideals, he was supported by the Congress (I) in the SGPC elections of 1979, though only 4 of his 40 candidates were able to secure seats.
Role in the Militancy
Bhindranwale was widely believed to be a supporter of the creation of Khalistan, the proposed Sikh nation-state. However, in a BBC interview he stated that if the government agreed to the creation of Khalistan, he would not refuse, what he mainly wanted was for Sikhs to be treated as equal citizens of India. Other quotes attributed to Bhindranwale include 'we are not in favour of Khalistan nor are we against it.' Responding to the creation of Khalistan he is qouted as saying, 'We won't reject it. We shall not repeat the mistake of 1947.' to which he added, 'if the Indian Government invaded the Darbar Sahib complex, the foundation for an independent Sikh state will have been laid.'
In 1978, he was involved in a violent confrontation at an event of Sikhs adhering to the Nirankari sect of Sikhism. The Nirankaris are considered to be Hindus guised as Sikhs by the majority of Sikhs. During this confrontation three Nirankaris and twelve Dal Khalsa members were killed. The FIR named 22 persons, several of whom were known associates of Bhindranwale. In 1981, the leader of Nirankari sect was killed and Bhindranwale was implicated in ordering his death. He was later released without charge by the Indian courts. It is alleged that Bhindranwale's squads were responsible for the killing of Lala Jagat Narain, the proprietor of the Hind Samachar Group, publishers of the popular daily, Punjab Kesri, and a bitter critic of Bhindranwale and alleged to have written abusive words about Sikhs and Sikhism in his newpaper. Following this, the Congress Government made moves ostensibly to arrest Bhindranwale. Bhindranwale offered himself for arrest. Over the next 25 days, sporadic violence erupted all over Punjab, while Bhindranwale was held in custody in a government circuit house. These incidents included the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane to Lahore. On October 15, Bhindranwale was released after the Home Minister, without inquiry or judicial process, announced to the Parliament that Bhindranwale was not involved in the murder of Lala Jagat Narain.
Bhindranwale continued his radical actions. He armed his followers and it is alleged by the Indian government that attacked Hindus and moderate Sikhs who did not support an independent Khalistan. Violence exploded all through the state of Punjab with police, Sikhs and Hindus fighting amongst each other. However, no overt attempt was made to arrest Bhindranwale himself. These actions only served to make Bhindranwale seem invincible and gained him more supporters. He moved freely across Punjab and even through the nation's capital, armed with his followers.
When the government arrested one of Bhindranwale's close associates Amrik Singh, the President of the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), on 19 July 1982, Bhindranwale decided to move into the sanctuary of the Golden Temple complex. Bhindranwale viewed himself as the champion of the Sikh cause in India. But in using the Golden Temple as his headquarters, many people believed he showed marked disrespect for the Sikh religion. He had shifted himself to the first floor of the Akal Takht, which is where the Guru Granth Sahib is kept at night, after being taken from the Harmindar Sahib. For anyone to stay above the Guru Granth Sahib, is disrespectful. But Bhindranwale and his immediate accomplices were living on the Akal Takht's first floor.
Death
In March 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi initiated Operation Bluestar and ordered the Indian Army to surround the temple to flush out the militants holed up inside. While there is little doubt that Bhindranwale did not survive the operation, the circumstances leading to his death are shrouded in mystery.
According to Lieutenant General Kuldip Singh Brar, who commanded the operation, the body of Bhindranwale was identified by a number of agencies, including the police, the Intelligence Bureau and militants in the Army's custody. Bhindranwale's brother is also resported to have identified Bhindranwale's body. Pictures, of what appear to be Bhindranwale's body have been published in at least two widely circulated books Tragedy of Punjab: Operation Bluestar and After and Amritsar: Mrs Gandhi's Last Battle). BBC correspondent Mark Tully also reported seeing Bhindranwale's battered body during his funeral.
People who maintain that he survived the operation, include Dilbir Singh, the Public Relations Advisor at Guru Nanak Dev University. He stated that Bhindranwale was injured on the right side of his temple. A government doctor verified that he was captured alive. R.K. Bajaj, a correspondent for Surya magazine, claimed that he saw a photograph of Bhindranwale in Army custody.