Re: Khalistan Movement
When Bhidranwala became the commander of the forces and was holding temple premises along with hostages, many had thought that Khalistan would become reality, Amritsar is border district, Indian Army was expecting Pakistani Army can come for support similar to what Indian Army did to support Bengalis in east pakistan.
Amritsar was cut-off from the entire world, Army cleared the golden temple. Initially next general designated Gen Sinha refused to order Indian Army to enter the premises, Indira dismissed him and Gen AS Vaidya ordered Lt Gen K Sunderjee commander of Western Army command, he ordered Major General KS Brar based in meerut to clear it of. the attack on golden temple infuriated Sikh community, many of the army officers resigned along with many civilians who returned their honors. Later Sikh bodygaurd of Indira assassinated her culminating in 1984 november Anti-Sikh riot in Delhi. then Indian army along with intelligence agencies launched operation Woodrose, to clean up remaining terrorist and most instrumental was IPS officer KPS Gill and Punjab CM Beant Singh, in 1995 he was assassinated by KLF. Those ten years were darkest for sikh community as their reliability and loyality to India was questioned by the society. Infact PVN Rao fought in Assam,Nagaland,Kashmir and Punjab along with facing economic downturn then:), It took another decade for Sikhs to restore the lost glory. In India, Khalistan hardly has any credible support. Lt Gen Brar once said to me, " Sikhs would have got Khalistan but they joined wrong country in 1947:D