Saturday, April 12, 2008
"Operation Bluestar was a mistake": Advani
(This interview was conducted by the author with the then Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani. The interview and was conducted in the presence of then Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. The interview was conducted on March 25, 2004 but was published in the Chandigarh edition of The Indian Express on June 4, 2004.)
TWENTY years after the event took place, former Deputy Prime Minister and senior BJP leader, L K Advani feels that Operation Bluestar was a mistake.
In an interview conducted with Advani prior to the elections, the then Deputy Prime Minister made these remarks in response to a specific question. When asked if ``with the benefit of hindsight, he feels that Operation Bluestar was a mistake'', Advani paused for a minute before responding to the question.
``I would be replying off the cuff. I would think that I should avoid doing it, but broadly speaking my first reaction is to endorse what you have said'', Advani remarked. ``Particularly after what I saw happen in the wake of Operation Bluestar, and the kind of attitude that was adopted towards the Sikh community'', he said.
He added that he belonged to Sindh, and in Sindh, ``there was no such distinction between Sikhs and non Sikhs as developed in Punjab later on''. Advani added that his ``entire family rituals from childhood have been Sikh rituals''.
''Mere ghar mein, sab ke ghar mein Granth Sahib he hota hai'' (In my house, as well as that of all others, the Granth Sahib is present), Advani said.
The interview was conducted inside his rath while he was travelling to Amritsar, and he mentioned that he would be visiting the Golden Temple. Advani initially said the comments were off the cuff, and later stated that this portion of the interview could be published after the elections. I am on an election tour to Punjab and people will think that these remarks are being made with an eye on elections, Advani said. ``The significance of the statement would be diluted if you use them now'', he added.
When asked about the kar sewa at the Golden Temple, Advani said whenever he visits Amritsar, he always visits Harmandir Sahib. This time since the kar sewa was on, I am not only happy but also proud. ``Mujhe khushi hogi, garbv ki baat hai'', he said regarding participating in the kar sewa.
TWENTY years after the event took place, former Deputy Prime Minister and senior BJP leader, L K Advani feels that Operation Bluestar was a mistake.
In an interview conducted with Advani prior to the elections, the then Deputy Prime Minister made these remarks in response to a specific question. When asked if ``with the benefit of hindsight, he feels that Operation Bluestar was a mistake'', Advani paused for a minute before responding to the question.
``I would be replying off the cuff. I would think that I should avoid doing it, but broadly speaking my first reaction is to endorse what you have said'', Advani remarked. ``Particularly after what I saw happen in the wake of Operation Bluestar, and the kind of attitude that was adopted towards the Sikh community'', he said.
He added that he belonged to Sindh, and in Sindh, ``there was no such distinction between Sikhs and non Sikhs as developed in Punjab later on''. Advani added that his ``entire family rituals from childhood have been Sikh rituals''.
''Mere ghar mein, sab ke ghar mein Granth Sahib he hota hai'' (In my house, as well as that of all others, the Granth Sahib is present), Advani said.
The interview was conducted inside his rath while he was travelling to Amritsar, and he mentioned that he would be visiting the Golden Temple. Advani initially said the comments were off the cuff, and later stated that this portion of the interview could be published after the elections. I am on an election tour to Punjab and people will think that these remarks are being made with an eye on elections, Advani said. ``The significance of the statement would be diluted if you use them now'', he added.
When asked about the kar sewa at the Golden Temple, Advani said whenever he visits Amritsar, he always visits Harmandir Sahib. This time since the kar sewa was on, I am not only happy but also proud. ``Mujhe khushi hogi, garbv ki baat hai'', he said regarding participating in the kar sewa.
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