Withdraw gallantry awards for Op Bluestar: Dhindsa

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 1

Member of Parliament and SAD secretary general Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa has urged the Central Government to withdraw gallantry awards conferred on Army personnel involved in Operation Bluestar. In a letter to the Defence Minister, he has stated: "It was the first time that the Army was sent to attack the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. There was all-round condemnation of this act because hundreds of innocent Sikhs were killed. These gallantry awards were given for the so-called victory. I fail to understand that the Government of India equated this operation with a victory”.

Pointing out that such awards were given for the India-China war and the India-Pakistan wars, he wrote: “I am thankful to the present government which has shown great sympathy with the victims who suffered in 1984. I request you to officially withdraw the gallantry awards given to the Army personnel on account of Operation Bluestar.

“ I request that any other Army award given in this operation to any other Army unit be also withdrawn.”