Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale
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Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale or Jarnail Singh Brar (Template:Lang-pa) (12 February, 1947–6 June, 1984) was the leader of Damdami Taksal, a Sikh organisation based in India.
Early life and background
He was born in the village of Rode, Faridkot district, Punjab, India. His father Joginder Singh, was a local Sikh leader. Jarnail Singh was the seventh of eight brothers.
Rise to popularity
In Punjab, the Congress(I) party followed a strategy of alternating communal incitement and appeasement, 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, but firebrand cleric to the forefront. His political demands started attracting young male Sikhs. 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 perceived to be a supporter for the creation of a proposed theocratic state. However, in a BBC interview, he stated that if the government agreed to the creation of Khalistan, he would not refuse. 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 quoted 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.' The BBC reported he was basically daring the Government to attack the holy site which would legitimise further actions.
Back in 1978, it was alleged he was involved in a confrontation with Nirankari Sikhs, it was during this confrontation, that led to the death of 3 Nirankaris and 13 members of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha. The FIR named 22 persons, several of whom were known associates of Bhindranwale. In 1981, the leader of Nirankaris was killed and Bhindranwale was implicated in ordering his death. He was later released without charge by the courts due to absence of evidence, thereby refuting later claims that he had been involved in the murder. It has been alleged in some quarters, that Bhindranwale's followers may have been responsible for the killing of Lala Jagat Narain, the proprietor of the Hind Samachar Group, publishers of the popular daily, Punjab Kesri. Narain had written some negative articles about Bhindranwale. Following this, Lala Jagat Narain was found killed. Staff of his newspaper and it's distributors were targeted for some months and 62 people linked to the paper were killed across Punjab.
Due to absence of evidence, Bhindranwale was later released. Over the next 25 days, sporadic fights erupted in some areas where Bhindranwale's supporters gathered, while Bhindranwale was held in custody other incidents took place including the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane to Lahore. On October 15
Bhindranwale later armed his followers. Rioting continued with the Indian Police.
Death
On 3 June, 1984 Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi initiated Operation Bluestar and ordered the Indian Army to surround the Golden Temple complex to flush out militants. It was widely reported that Bhindranwale did not survive the operation and is thus regarded as a "martyr" by his followers.
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 reported 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. R.K. Bajaj, a correspondent for Surya magazine, claimed to have seen a photograph of Bhindranwale in custody. This claim is highly rejected, expecially by Jarnail Singh's son who has now become a promanent figure within Sikh politics.