List of Sikh Quislings and Perpetrators who took part in Sikh Genocide
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi aka Mahatma Gandhi
The resentment some Sikhs and Punjabis feel towards Mahatma Gandhi can be attributed to several historical events and perceptions. Here are the main reasons:
Perceived Betrayal During Partition:
- Role in Partition: Many Sikhs and Punjabis felt that Gandhi’s stance during the partition of India in 1947 did not adequately protect their interests. The partition led to immense suffering, loss of life, and displacement, with the Punjab region being particularly affected.
- Lack of Strong Opposition: Gandhi’s perceived lack of strong opposition to the partition plan and his acceptance of the division of Punjab left many feeling betrayed.
Linguistic and Religious Issues:
- Punjabi Suba Movement: Gandhi was seen as unsupportive of the demand for a separate Punjabi-speaking state, which was a significant issue for the Sikhs. His focus on a united India was perceived as neglecting regional and linguistic aspirations.
- Religious Identity: Some Sikhs felt that Gandhi did not adequately recognize or support their distinct religious identity, often subsuming Sikh interests under the broader Hindu framework.
Political Marginalization:
- Dominance of Congress: The dominance of the Congress party, which Gandhi was closely associated with, was seen as marginalizing regional parties and interests, including those of Punjab and the Sikhs.
Handling of Sikh Issues:
- Representation and Recognition: The perceived lack of adequate representation and recognition of Sikhs in the national political landscape during Gandhi’s time contributed to feelings of neglect and marginalization.
Jawaharlal Nehru Ι Former Prime Minister of India
The animosity of Sikhs towards Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, can be attributed to several historical grievances and policies that affected Punjab and the Sikh community. Here are the key reasons:
Partition of India (1947):
- Division of Punjab: The partition of India led to the division of Punjab into East Punjab (India) and West Punjab (Pakistan). This resulted in massive displacement, loss of life, and property, with Sikhs being one of the most affected communities. Many felt that Nehru’s leadership did not adequately address their suffering or compensate for their losses.
Reorganization of States:
- Linguistic Reorganization: Nehru initially resisted the demand for linguistic reorganization of states, which included the demand for a separate Punjabi-speaking state. This reluctance was seen as a dismissal of Sikh aspirations for cultural and linguistic recognition.
- Creation of Punjab and Haryana (1966): Although the Punjabi Suba (Punjabi-speaking state) was eventually created in 1966, it came after years of agitation and protests. The delay and the division of Punjab to create Haryana left many Sikhs feeling their demands were met reluctantly and insufficiently.
Economic Policies:
- Green Revolution: While the Green Revolution brought agricultural prosperity to Punjab, it also led to economic disparities and environmental issues. Some politicians felt that Nehru’s policies favored certain regions and communities, neglecting the long-term sustainability of Punjab’s agriculture.
Centralization of Power:
- Perceived Marginalization: Nehru’s centralizing tendencies and the dominance of the Congress party were seen as marginalizing regional identities and autonomy. Punjab politicians, particularly those from the Akali Dal, often felt that their interests and the unique concerns of Punjab were overlooked by the central government.
Handling of Sikh Issues:
- Sikh Personal Law: Nehru’s government did not adequately address the demand for separate Sikh personal laws, leading to a perception of neglect towards Sikh religious and cultural identity.
- Sikh Representation: The perceived lack of adequate Sikh representation and recognition in the national political landscape also contributed to dissatisfaction among Punjab politicians.
These historical grievances, combined with the broader context of regional and communal politics, have contributed to the animosity some Punjab politicians feel towards Jawaharlal Nehru.
Operation Blue Star June 1984
Indira Gandhi Ι Former Prime Minister of India
Indira Gandhi is viewed as a brutal and inhumane Prime Minister by many Sikhs and people in Punjab. They hold her responsible for several key actions and policies:
Backstabbing Punjab during the Punjabi Suba Movement: Her government was seen as biased in the division of the Punjab state, which left many Sikhs feeling betrayed.
Operation Blue Star (June 1984): The military operation to remove militants from the Golden Temple resulted in significant casualties and damage to this sacred site, causing immense anger and resentment among Sikhs.
Operation Woodrose (after June 1984): Following Operation Blue Star, there were widespread arrests and reports of human rights abuses against Sikhs, further deepening their resentment.
Human Rights Violations: There were numerous reports of extrajudicial killings, torture, and disappearances of Sikhs during her tenure, contributing to a sense of injustice and alienation.
Lack of Justice for Sikhs: The failure to address and rectify the grievances of Sikhs during and after her rule left many feeling marginalized and oppressed.
These actions collectively led to her being seen as a deeply divisive and hostile figure in the history of Punjab and the Sikh community.
She was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by her own Sikh bodyguards, Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Beant Singh.
Giani Zail Singh
Giani Zail Singh was the President of India during Operation Blue Star in June 1984. The day before the operation began, he received a routine briefing from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. During this time, he chose to remain loyal to the government rather than his own religious community.
On June 8, Zail Singh visited the Golden Temple complex, where he was targeted by a sniper. Although he was unharmed, his security officer sustained serious injuries.
On November 29, 1994, Zail Singh was severely injured in a road accident when his car collided with a truck near Kiratpur Sahib in the Ropar district of Punjab. He was taken to the PGI Chandigarh, where he died on December 25, 1994, at the age of 78.
General Arunkumar Shridhar Vaidya
General Arun Kumar Shridhar Vaidya served as the Chief of the Indian Army during Operation Blue Star in June 1984. As the principal architect of the operation, he was considered directly responsible for the military action. He planned and led the operation to diminish the Sikh’s Spirit. Despite controversy, he was appointed army chief after Lt. Gen. S.K. Sinha advised Prime Minister Indira Gandhi against deploying the army inside the temple.
General Vaidya was assassinated on 10 August 1986 by Bhai Harjinder Singh Jinda and Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha in Pune, where he had settled after his retirement in January 1986.
Major General Kuldeep Singh Brar
General Brar is a war criminal due to his role in Operation Blue Star. Under his command, the operation resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 Sikh pilgrims at the Golden Temple, despite only about 110 Sikh militants being actively involved in the conflict.
In the aftermath of Operation Blue Star, many Sikhs were reportedly killed while their hands were bound with their turbans behind their backs.
On September 30, 2012, four Sikhs (three men and one woman) attempted to attack him on Old Quebec Street near Marble Arch in London. During the attack, Brar sustained a 12-inch cut across his neck and jaw, along with a three-inch cut to his jaw.
Lt Gen Ranjit Singh Dayal
He was the chief staff officer who drew up the plans for Operation Bluestar. After retiring, he was provided with Z-plus security due to the high-profile nature of Operation Blue Star. In 2005, the Chandigarh police uncovered a plot to assassinate him and arrested two members of Babbar Khalsa group. He died from cancer in Panchkula in January 2012.