Originally posted by: sandy290393
I'm definitely not with you when you say Indira Gandhi made the best decision at the time. Walking in to any holy place armed and with an intent to kill is never ok. I understand that there's many sides to what happened around that time but had it been them hiding in a very holy and historical mandal for example there would not have been the same action taken. The timing of the event itself was really bad timing which suggests that the decision may have been made to instigate rather than prevent.
First on Blue Operation:
Before I get into the analysis, I want to state one thing.. Good,bad,ugly.. whatever.. it is a decision that will always be regretted...sometimes even if actions are meant for greater good, you can not be happy about them because there is nothing to justify or be happy about.. greater good comes at a greater loss..
If we are talking of decisions- What options did she have then?
1. Mediation: She tried mediation through Harkishen Singh Surjit, late Sardar Swaran Singh, Raghunandan Lal Bhatia and many others to get the matter resolved. Everyone involved has said that at one time almost an agreement was in sight but the same eluded them by a whisker.
2. Make militants politically weak by strengthening Akali leadership: Congress is at fault for allowing rise of radicalism.. but at the time of the operation, this option simply did not exist..and not to forget, at later stages everytime govt did try to work with Akalis, a fresh round of terrorist killings in Punjab would happen
3. Compromise: 😃.. i wonder!
Just before the operation, there was also the major threat of non-co-operation blocking food grain supply, water to the nation. There were looking at complete freedom..separation.. mass killings were happening..there was nothing remotely religious in his teachings.. and the changing laws about killings within the holy shrine..it was all of a sudden justified because they wanted war..terrorism was widespread..rural backdrop was its strength..
Glorification of the event later on by media and some party members was wrong...and yes to an extent analyst say compromise..they could have reached a compromise..but I again have my doubts given the moderates and what Bhindranwale was asking for.. this would not have yielded result..
Was it right for this group to move into the Gurudwara with all the arms when it did not have a religious sense to it?..
From IG's perspective, she is a politician.. why would she on purpose want to offend a significant section of the society????.. also, going by the quotes, she did not expect such a reaction to army's move of entering the Golden temple...after the event, when she was suggested to remove all sikh bodyguards from her troop.. she declined..
Additionally, a big flaw lies with the army.. their research was not complete.. they were unaware of the trenches, the weapons.. and their report / strategy did not expect the kind of deaths that ended up taking place..
Another issue people have, the time of this attacke .. why were journalists not involved..my understanding is simple.. its not an action where you want to create public hysteria.. you anyway know what is going to happen is not a good sight..
There are so many things.. but to sum it up, I ask you.. what option was there that could have resulted similar consequences- putting an end to rempant terrorism..?? Its easier for me to argue on specifics..
In my opinion, she is the only PM who had the guts to take a decision..some proved right some wrong over period of time..May it be guts to impose emergency, may it guts to fight 1971 war, may it be guts to order operating blue star all only showed her inner strength. However, corruption in politics also got wings under her rule only..
About instigating it and not preventing it...Yes, many analysts feel IG put Binderwala upto this..
I will not deny Congress has a role in supporting rise of radicalism.. and throughout her reign she has shown signs of a non compromising leader..
BUT, in this case atleast, i think it was required.
Be it hindus/mandal.. same thing would have opened... specially if you go by her character/personality sketch..
Arjun
