In a move that stirred both surprise and criticism, the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) posted a tribute on social media in remembrance of those killed during Operation Bluestar, the controversial military operation conducted in June 1984 to remove armed militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The post, which honored the “victims” of the operation, was seen by many as a political gamble aimed at influencing Sikh sentiment ahead of upcoming elections.
However, within hours of posting, the BJP deleted the message, triggering widespread speculation. Critics across political and civil society circles questioned the party’s intentions—while some perceived the act as an attempt to recalibrate its image in Punjab, others accused it of playing with historical wounds for electoral gain. Operation Bluestar remains one of the most emotionally charged events in Punjab’s history, and any public reference—especially by national parties—is seen through a highly sensitive lens.
