Congress Demands Mahajan’s Removal Over Operation Blue Star Remarks

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress president, Harshvardhan Sapkal, on Tuesday demanded the immediate removal of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Minister Girish Mahajan from both the State Cabinet and the party.

A political controversy erupted after Mr. Mahajan attended a commemoration marking the anniversary of Operation Blue Star n Amritsar on Saturday. He is reported to be the first representative of any State government to participate in the event.

Operation Blue Star was a military operation carried out by the Indian Armed Forces between June 1 and 10, 1984, with the stated objective of removing Damdami Taksal leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and armed militants from the Golden Temple complex.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Mahajan described Operation Blue Star as a “black day” and referred to those killed in the operation as “martyrs”, while strongly criticising then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Calling the operation a “military attack” on Sikhism’s holiest shrine, he alleged that Ms. Gandhi had forcibly deployed the Army in Punjab and inside the Golden Temple complex.

Mr. Mahajan also drew a parallel between the 1984 operation and the invasion of the Golden Temple by Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali, saying the military action had caused deep pain to the Sikh community, that Sikhs were killed, and that those responsible had never been punished.

Reacting sharply, Mr. Sapkal termed the remarks “highly irresponsible”, detrimental to national interest, and an insult to the Indian Armed Forces. He said that by questioning an operation undertaken in the interests of national security and integrity, and by expressing sympathy for those who took up arms against the Indian state, the BJP leader had sought to undermine the country’s fight against terrorism.

“Operation Blue Star was not directed against any religion. It was a difficult but necessary military operation against armed Khalistani militants seeking to divide the country. Indira Gandhi took the decision in the interest of national unity despite being aware of the threat to her life, which eventually led to her assassination by Khalistani extremists. General Arun Kumar Vaidya, a son of Maharashtra who led the operation, was also later assassinated by terrorists. Mr. Mahajan’s remarks, and any attempt to glorify Bhindranwale, insult the sacrifices made by these leaders,” Mr. Sapkal said.

Mr. Sapkal further claimed that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had played an active role in security operations related to the mission and questioned whether Mr. Mahajan would similarly criticise Mr. Doval’s role or seek his removal from office.

Seeking a clarification from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Mr. Sapkal asked whether statements made against national unity at an event that, according to him, glorified Bhindranwale reflected the official position of the Maharashtra government. He also called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Mr. Fadnavis to clarify whether they endorsed Mr. Mahajan’s remarks.

“If the top leadership does not agree with these statements, it must publicly condemn them and apologise to the nation and the armed forces. Otherwise, these comments will be seen as the official position of the BJP,” Mr. Sapkal said.