Question

Analyse any two major developments after 1980 that led to a cycle of violence in Punjab.

Answer 1

1. The Akali Government was removed from power in Punjab in 1980, which led to a movement over how to share water between Punjab and its neighboring states.
2. Some religious leaders brought up the idea of a separate Sikh identity, and the more extreme ones started calling for breaking away from India and making slogans for the creation of “Khalistan.” When the movement went from being led by the moderate Akali Dal to extremist militant groups, it turned into a violent uprising. As an armed fortress, the terrorists made the Holy Shrine, also known as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, their home base.

To get things under control, the Indian government launched “Operation Blue Star” in June 1984, which was a code name for an army operation that successfully got rid of the rebels. The army action, on the other hand, damaged the structure of the shrine and hurt the feelings of many Sikhs, which led to more violence in Punjab.