Role of BJP/RSS in 1984 Riots।। Amit Shah जी 1984 के दंगों में RSS और BJP की भूमिका भूल गए?

Summary

The video delves into the tragic events surrounding the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre in India, tracing its historical roots from the Punjabi Suba Movement to Operation Blue Star. It highlights the roles of various political entities, particularly the BJP and RSS, in fomenting communal tensions and influencing key events. Through documented incidents, FIRs, and statements by leaders, the script contrasts the accountability of Congress with the alleged complicity and justification of violence by BJP and RSS figures. The narrative underscores the enduring scars of 1984, urging reflection on political ideologies, communalism, and the responsibility of leaders in shaping history.

Takeaways

• 🕰️ 1984 was a tragic year in India marked by the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards and subsequent anti-Sikh riots across the country.
• 😢 The riots had a deep and long-lasting impact, including the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of education for many Sikh families.
• 📜 The Punjabi Suba Movement sought a Punjabi-speaking state, but leaders of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the precursor to BJP, opposed it on communal grounds.
• 🔥 BJP and RSS historically attempted to create divisions between Sikhs and Hindus, including opposing restrictions on selling tobacco near Gurudwaras and organizing provocative demonstrations.
• ⚔️ Operation Blue Star involved sending the army into the Golden Temple to remove armed militants, and key BJP/RSS leaders, like Lal Krishna Advani, supported this action.
• 🍬 RSS leader Nanaji Deshmukh publicly justified the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, arguing that the violence resulted from the mistakes of Sikh leaders, reflecting ideological support rather than condemnation.
• 📄 FIRs from Delhi reveal that BJP and RSS members were directly involved in violent acts during the 1984 riots, including murder, arson, and robbery.
• 🛡️ While Congress leaders involved in the riots were punished and the party apologized, BJP and RSS leaders faced little accountability, and some attempts were made to weaken or close cases against them.
• ⚖️ The script highlights ideological differences: communalism is argued to be inherent in BJP/RSS ideology, whereas Congress’ mistakes are seen as political errors, not rooted in communal ideology.
• 💔 The 1984 Sikh massacre remains a significant stain on Indian history, and any attempts to justify or absolve those responsible are morally and historically indefensible.
• 📚 Historical context, including movements like Punjabi Suba and events like Operation Blue Star, is essential to understanding the causes, roles, and consequences of the 1984 riots.

Q & A

What were the two major incidents in India in 1984 highlighted in the transcript?

The two major incidents were the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards and the subsequent anti-Sikh riots that spread across India.

How did the 1984 riots affect ordinary Sikh citizens according to the transcript?

Many Sikhs suffered devastating losses; for example, friends and neighbors had their shops looted, were forced to abandon education, and endured violence, highlighting the widespread and personal impact of the riots.

What role did the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (predecessor of BJP) play in the Punjabi Suba Movement?

The Bharatiya Jana Sangh opposed the Punjabi Suba Movement on a communal basis, portraying it as a religiously motivated movement rather than a linguistic state demand, and resisted Sikh efforts to protect religious sanctity around Gurudwaras.

How did Bhartiya Jana Sangh/BJP handle demands related to tobacco and cigarette shops near Gurudwaras?

They protested against closing such shops, even organizing processions asserting their right to openly smoke near temples, which was seen as a deliberate move to create communal tension.

What actions did BJP leaders take around the Golden Temple before Operation Blue Star?

On 14 February 1984, BJP leader Harbans Lal Khanna and associates publicly destroyed a model of the Golden Temple, showing disrespect and escalating communal tensions.

What was Lal Krishna Advani's role in the events leading to Operation Blue Star?

Advani organized a major procession demanding the army be sent into the Golden Temple to confront militants, an action he documented and justified in his autobiography, indicating BJP and RSS support for Operation Blue Star.

How did top RSS leaders respond to the assassination of Indira Gandhi and the subsequent riots?

Nana Ji Deshmukh, a senior RSS leader, published articles justifying the anti-Sikh massacre, blaming Sikh leaders for the violence and framing it as an inevitable consequence of their 'mistakes'.

Were BJP and RSS members implicated in the 1984 riots according to official records?

Yes, FIRs from Delhi police included 49 individuals associated with BJP and RSS, including election agents of senior leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, highlighting their direct involvement in the violence.

How did political accountability differ between Congress and BJP regarding the 1984 riots?

Congress acknowledged its responsibility, punished involved leaders, and apologized publicly, whereas BJP and RSS members faced little accountability, and there were attempts to weaken or close cases against them when BJP was in power.

What broader argument does the transcript make about communalism in political parties?

The transcript argues that communalism is inherent in the ideology of BJP, RSS, and related organizations, consistently targeting minorities, whereas Congress, despite mistakes, does not have violence or communalism embedded in its ideology.

How did historical events like the Punjabi Suba Movement, Operation Blue Star, and the 1984 riots illustrate patterns of communal tension?

These events show a recurring pattern where linguistic, religious, or minority rights movements were framed as communal threats, and certain political groups, like BJP/RSS, amplified divisions for political purposes.

What is the significance of Operation Blue Star in the context of 1984 Sikh riots?

Operation Blue Star, the army’s entry into the Golden Temple to confront militants, directly triggered resentment among Sikhs, leading to Indira Gandhi’s assassination and subsequently violent anti-Sikh riots.