This massacre has changed the politics of Punjab forever. This military operation was carried out to evict Sant Bhindranwale and the militants from Sri Darbar Sahib, but it cost the lives of thousands of innocent devotees and damaged the Akal Takht. This was followed by the assassination of Indira Gandhi and the anti-Sikh massacre in Delhi, in which over 3000 Sikhs were killed. The Sikh community in Punjab (the Pradhan section) considers it a “national wound” and the Congress and the Indian state are still targeted for its responsibility.
Punjab AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang and MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar have said that Chidambaram’s statement is an attempt to cover up the “crimes” of the Congress, and Indira Gandhi should be held fully responsible. Nijjar asked why the Congress saved leaders like Sajjan Kumar, Jagdish Tytler and Kamal Nath, who are accused in the 1984 Sikh massacre. AAP – which is in power in Punjab – will use this to remind voters, especially in Tarn Taran where AAP won by a landslide in 2022.
The Akali Dal, the Akali Dal-in-Waris Punjab and the BJP will also weaponise it. The BJP has already targeted the Congress by calling Chidambaram a “truth-speaker”. Political experts believe that in Tarn Taran, where the Sikh vote is dominant (around 80-90%), this statement could help the Akali Dal and the Waris Punjab outfit win the Sikh vote. Chidambaram’s statement is likely to cause political damage to the Congress in Punjab and especially in Tarn Taran. It is opening old wounds in the Sikh community and arming its opponents. The Congress in Punjab is already in a crisis situation due to internal divisions to fight AAP, and this statement is making it even more serious.
Rahul Gandhi should announce an official apology on this and increase dialogue with Sikh leaders. If not, it will be difficult to prevent Congress’ defeat in Punjab in 2027. This issue is not only political, but also one of communal trust.
