 "Chants of 'Khalistan' were heard in Trafalgar Square. Source: X")
Pro-Khalistani chants echoed the skies of London as thousands marched across the city to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh riots. People showed up in masses and marched in central London with some of them holding the infamous Khalistani flags.
In 1984, the Indian Army stormed into the Golden Temple in Amritsar - the holiest shrine for Sikhs - to tackle a radical group who sought the creation of an independent nation called Khalistan. The operation ended in a bloodshed killing many.
The incident also had a ripple effect with the assassination of former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi by her own bodyguards. Over the years, the Indian government has maintained that the Operating Blue Star was carried out against the militants and not against the Sikh Community, insisting the community will continue to remain an integral part of India.
Labour Party extends support
In 2014, a declassified document released under the 30-year rule revealed that the British government at the time sent a SAS officer to help guide the Indian government in the operation. The support was given by then-UK PM Margaret Thatcher. Hence, the Labour Party in the UK has time and again decided to capitalise on the information.
The party has promised an independent judge-led inquiry into the role Britain played if they get into power, according to the principal adviser of the Sikh Federation UK, Dabinderjit Singh.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“I think 40 years later, we’re hopeful an incoming Labour government will give us the truth, the truth of the UK government’s involvement,” Singh told Sky News.
“But ultimately it’s about justice and freedom, and we don’t think we’ll ever get justice in India until we have our own Sikh homeland,” he added.
The party’s deputy leader Angela Rayner also marked the 40th anniversary of the devastating attack. “Today we mark the 40th anniversary of the raid on the Golden Temple. Labour stands with the Sikh community in calling for an inquiry into the historic role Britain played,” she wrote on the day of the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star.
“A Labour government will work to determine the best way to find out the truth,” she added. According to Sky News, the march towards Central London was organised by the Sikh Federation UK.
With inputs from agencies.