Operation Blue Star: Why Bhindranwale's Sons Chose To Stay Away From Their Father's Footsteps
To ensure a stable future for her children, Pritam Kaur likely urged her sons to avoid involvement in violent activities and choose a peaceful path
On June 6, the anniversary of Operation Blue Star is observed. This military operation, carried out by the Indian Army at Amritsar's Golden Temple, aimed to remove pro-Khalistan leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed supporters. Bhindranwale was killed during the operation. Since then, his family has distanced itself from the Khalistan movement he once led.
Bhindranwale had a profound influence on the Sikh community, particularly among the rural youth of Punjab. His fiery speeches, dedication to Sikhism, and vocal opposition to the central government earned him a mythical status. Many of his supporters found it hard to believe that such a formidable leader could be killed so easily.
Bhindranwale's family included his wife, Bibi Pritam Kaur, and two sons, Ishar Singh and Inderjit Singh. After Operation Blue Star, their lives were greatly affected. Neither his wife nor his sons continued the path of the Sikh movement. Instead, they distanced themselves from it, despite Bhindranwale's status as a religious leader.
Bhindranwale's Wife Led A Simple Life
Pritam Kaur led a simple life in their native village of Rode Faridkot. Although some sections of the Sikh community respected the family for Bhindranwale's martyr-like image, she never publicly supported the Khalistan movement. Most of her time was devoted to raising her children and farming. She passed away on September 15, 2007 after a prolonged illness.
His Sons Distanced Themselves From Religious Path
Both of Bhindranwale's sons also kept a low profile. The elder son, Ishar Singh, born in 1971, did not engage in religious or political activities like his father. He lived a quiet life focused on farming in his village until he died in a road accident in 2008.
The younger son, Inderjit Singh, also avoided the limelight and continued farming in Punjab with his family, never attempting to revive his father's movement.
Punjab's Political And Social Landscape After Operation Blue Star
Following Operation Blue Star in 1984, Punjab experienced a period of widespread unrest and violence. Many Sikh families suffered due to the conflict between Sikh militants and government forces. During this tumultuous time, Ishar Singh and Inderjit Singh were very young. Their mother endeavoured to shield them from the violent environment, knowing that involvement in the Khalistan movement would invite further danger.
How Bhindranwale's Wife Raised Her Sons
In the years after the operation, Pritam Kaur aimed to provide her sons with a normal life. She likely kept them away from the Khalistan movement to protect them from the violence and controversy associated with it. Both sons prioritised farming and family responsibilities over political or religious activism, possibly having learned from their father's death and the tragedies of Operation Blue Star.
Bhindranwale's family remained under strict surveillance by government and intelligence agencies. Had his sons chosen to follow their father's path, they would have faced immediate targeting.
Additionally, not all Sikhs supported the Khalistan movement, with mainstream Sikh organisations like the Shiromani Akali Dal advocating for peace. This lack of broad support, coupled with government surveillance, made it prudent for the sons to remain neutral.
Risk Of Bearing Father's Legacy
Bhindranwale's image as a martyr and militant leader within the Sikh community was also controversial. Continuing his legacy would have been fraught with risks. Faced with the dual pressures from Khalistan supporters who viewed their father as a hero and the non-Sikh community who associated him with militancy, the sons chose to avoid controversy.
In efforts to secure a stable future for her children, Pritam Kaur likely encouraged her sons to stay away from violent activities. During the 1980s and 1990s, the havoc wreaked by militancy and military action in Punjab led many Sikh families to steer their children away from violence. Bhindranwale's family was no exception, seeking to ensure a safe and stable future for the next generation.
First Published:
June 06, 2025, 17:33 IST
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