Operation Blue Star, theft of holy book: Why June 1 is an important date in Punjab politics

Punjab will vote in the Lok Sabha elections on June 1. It will be the 40th anniversary of the beginning of Operation Blue Star. And then in 2015 on June 1, a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib (saroop), considered the living Guru of the Sikhs, was stolen from a gurdwara in Faridkot.

5 min readChandigarhUpdated: May 31, 2024 08:27 PM IST

June 1: Vote in Punjab, anniversary of 2 events that changed state’s politics

The issue remains sensitive, with ongoing political repercussions. In 2022, the Punjab Assembly passed a Bill that provides for life imprisonment for sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib and other religious texts.

June 1, the day Punjab votes in the last phase of the Lok Sabha election, happens to be the anniversary of two pivotal events that have influenced the recent history and politics of the state. Both events have featured in the campaign — either as part of direct reminders to electors, or as echoes or references in speeches delivered by certain candidates.

June 1 will be the 40th anniversary of the beginning of Operation Blue Star, the Indian Army operation to flush out Khalistani militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The assault on the holiest shrine of the Sikhs triggered a chain of bloody events including the assassination of India’s Prime Minister, and unprecedented organised violence against members of the community in Delhi and other places.

Years later, on another June 1, a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib (saroop), considered the living Guru of the Sikhs, was stolen from a gurdwara in Faridkot, leading to a series of sacrilegious incidents that have had a profound impact on Punjab politics.

Read | Operation Blue Star in Punjab campaign, Akali Dal reminds voters of ‘Congress hand’

June 1, 1984: Op Blue Star

Despite objections from various quarters including Cabinet Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Indira Gandhi authorised the military action at the Golden Temple in mid-May, 1984. By May 29, troops from the 9th Infantry Division in Meerut had arrived in Amritsar, supported by Para commandos. Their mission was to flush out militant ideologue Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers who had set up base in the temple.

Read | In 26 years of LS polls, Punjab has mostly gone against grain, chosen party that ends in Oppn ranks at Centre

On June 1, an exchange of fire between militants and CRPF personnel who had taken up positions atop private buildings near the temple resulted in the deaths of 11 civilians. Operation Blue Star lasted until June 10, and took a heavy toll on life, property, and emotions. The Akal Takht, the temporal seat of the Sikhs, was destroyed in the operation.

Army reports listed 554 deaths, including those of four officers and 79 soldiers, but actual casualties were likely much higher, with many pilgrims among the victims. Bhindranwale was killed in the operation.

FALLOUT: Operation Blue Star cast a long shadow on the politics of Punjab and India. On October 31, 1984, Indira was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards, which led to mobs going on the rampage, killing 2,146 people in Delhi alone.

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In 1985, Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, a leader of the Akali Dal, the country’s oldest regional party, was assassinated within a month of his signing a peace accord with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The “dark decade” of violence and instability in Punjab followed.

Operation Blue Star remains a potent factor in Punjab’s politics even today. Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has been showing a picture of the damaged Akal Takht at every election rally in an attempt to whip up anger against the Congress. The AAP and BJP have been reminding voters of the violence unleashed on Sikhs in the aftermath of Indira’s assassination.

Many Sikh voters, however, do not hold the current leadership of the Congress responsible. Rahul Gandhi has performed sewa at the Golden Temple on several occasions, and the Congress hopes for a good showing in the election.

June 1, 2015: Holy Book stolen

After a saroop of the Guru Granth Sahib disappeared from a gurdwara in Burj Jawahar Singh Wala, Faridkot, widespread protests broke out across Punjab. Extensive searches were carried out, including draining a large water body behind the gurdwara, but the saroop was not found.

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In October 2015, torn pages from what was believed to be the stolen saroop were discovered outside the Bargari gurdwara across the road. This led to a sharp escalation of unrest, and two protesters were killed in police firing at Behbal Kalan. More than 100 incidents of sacrilege have been reported over the last few years, some of which have led to deadly lynchings of the alleged accused.

FALLOUT: The issue of sacrilege has been extremely sensitive, and has left a significant mark on the politics of the state since 2015. After two successive terms in power, the Akali Dal, which was seen as being lenient towards those responsible for the incidents, suffered a major defeat in the 2017 elections, when it could win only 15 of the 117 seats in the Assembly.

Congress Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh faced dissent and was replaced in 2021 after his party colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu accused him of not doing enough to bring the accused in the 2015 case to justice. Last December, Sukhbir Singh Badal apologised for the incidents of sacrilege during his tenure.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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