Maharashtra State Congress Committee President Harshvardhan Sapkal demanded that Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan should be expelled from both the cabinet and the BJP for insulting the Indian Army’s role in fighting Khalistani terrorists during ‘Operation Blue Star,’ conducted at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, in June 1984.
The Congress demand came after senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan attended the 42nd anniversary of ‘Operation Blue Star’ on Saturday, June 6, at the Damdami Taksal headquarters in Mehta Chowk, Amritsar, as an official representative of the BJP.
Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan allegedly called ‘Operation Blue Star’ a “black day” and dubbed those killed in the military action against Khalistani separatist terrorists as “martyrs” while also criticising India’s then prime minister Indira Gandhi, who ordered the military action.
Mahajan compared the Indian Army action against Khalistani separatists to the invasion of the Golden Temple by Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali. “For us, ‘Operation Blue Star’ is a black day. Our brothers and sisters were martyred and killed,” he allegedly said, while addressing a gathering in Amritsar on Saturday.
“BJP leader and minister Girish Mahajan’s statement regarding ‘Operation Blue Star’ in Amritsar is extremely irresponsible, detrimental to national interest and insulting to the valour of the Indian Army. By questioning ‘Operation Blue Star’, implemented to protect the integrity of the country and national security, Mahajan has insulted India’s fight against Khalistani terrorism. Mahajan, who has taken an anti-national stand, must be immediately expelled from the cabinet and the BJP itself,” Maharashtra State Congress Committee President Harshvardhan Sapkal demanded here on Tuesday.
“Operation Blue Star was conducted against any religion. It was a very difficult and necessary operation carried out by the Indian Army against armed Khalistani terrorists plotting to divide India. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, despite being fully aware that her own life would be in danger, took this tough decision, prioritising the unity and integrity of the country. Later, she was assassinated by Khalistan sympathisers. The son of Maharashtra, General Arun Kumar Vaidya, who led this operation, was also targeted and assassinated by terrorists. Girish Mahajan is denigrating the sacrifices of these great personalities who made the supreme sacrifice for the unity and integrity of the country,” Sapkal said.
“Minister Girish Mahajan’s statement has exposed the anti-national tendencies of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). If Indira Gandhi had not implemented ‘Operation Blue Star’, India would have been divided. Mahajan has raised doubts despite the fact that Indira Gandhi had to sacrifice her life for the integrity of the country,” Sapkal said.
“India’s present National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was also involved in ‘Operation Blue Star’. So is Girish Mahajan going to condemn his role in ‘Operation Blue Star’ as well? Is he going to demand Doval’s removal from the post of National Security Advisor? Does he have that much courage,” Sapkal asked.
“Girish Mahajan has actually insulted the Indian Army by comparing the Indian Army’s campaign for the integrity of the country to that of Mohammad Shah Abdali. Not only that, he also tried to glorify the Khalistani separatist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Taking a stand which creates sympathy for separatists who took up arms against the sovereignty of India is a very serious matter,” Sapkal said.
“It is evident from the stand taken by BJP leaders that they are ready to compromise on the security, sovereignty and national integration of the country for the sake of politics. Girish Mahajan should immediately apologise to the country and the Indian Army for his statement,” he added.