Thousands of people marched across London on the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh riots, known as Operation Blue Star, echoing pro-Khalistani chants through the city. The demonstration, organized by the Sikh Federation UK, brought people together in central London, many holding Khalistani flags. In 1984, the Indian Army stormed into the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest shrine for Sikhs, to counter a radical group seeking an independent nation called Khalistan. The operation resulted in a bloody confrontation, claiming many lives. The incident also had a ripple effect, leading to the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her own bodyguards. Over the years, the Indian government has maintained that Operation Blue Star targeted militants, not the Sikh community, emphasizing the community’s integral role in India.
A declassified document from 2014, released under the 30-year rule, revealed that the British government sent an SAS officer to assist the Indian government during the operation. This support was provided under the leadership of then-UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The Labour Party has repeatedly sought to capitalize on this information. Dabinderjit Singh, the principal adviser of the Sikh Federation UK, stated that the party has promised an independent judge-led inquiry into Britain’s role if they come to power. “I think 40 years later, we’re hopeful an incoming Labour government will give us the truth, the truth of the UK government’s involvement,” Singh told Sky News. He further added, “But ultimately it’s about justice and freedom, and we don’t think we’ll ever get justice in India until we have our own Sikh homeland.”
Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, also acknowledged the 40th anniversary of the devastating attack. “Today we mark the 40th anniversary of the raid on the Golden Temple. Labour stands with the Sikh community in calling for an inquiry into the historic role Britain played,” she wrote on the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. “A Labour government will work to determine the best way to find out the truth,” she added. According to Sky News, the march towards Central London was organized by the Sikh Federation UK.
