Question

Why did Indira Gandhi send the army into the Golden Temple in Amritsar?

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Write about the Khalistan movement and how it turned out. (1.5 marks)
• Mention Indira Gandhi’s actions to retaliate against the Khalistan movement. (1.5 marks)

Answer:

• The Sikhs in Punjab demanded an independent state of Khalistan and began a movement that gradually became violent. Pakistan had lent its support to this movement.
• The Indian army was sent into the Golden Temple at Amritsar, a holy shrine of the Sikhs in 1984, to evict the militants who had allegedly taken shelter there.
• It was during this time that one of the Sikh bodyguards in Indira Gandhi’s personal security assassinated her.