British Sikh MP Reiterates Call for UK Parliament Inquiry into Operation Blue Star

The MP for Slough in south-east England called on the Labour Party government elected last year to launch the probe after previous Tory governments had "tried to brush the issue under the carpet".

British Sikh Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi has renewed his call in the House of Commons for an independent inquiry into the extent of the involvement of the then Margaret Thatcher-led Conservative government in Operation Blue Star in June 1984.

The MP for Slough in south-east England called on the Labour Party government elected last year to launch the probe after previous Tory governments had "tried to brush the issue under the carpet".

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In response to his parliamentary intervention on Thursday, Leader of the Commons Lucy Powell agreed it was a matter of "great importance to the Sikh community in the UK".

"In 1984, the world Sikh community suffered a catastrophic collective trauma when the then Indian government ordered the storming of the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, which led to devastating destruction and bloodshed, with thousands of innocent people losing their lives," said Dhesi. Thirty years later, to our shock, new documents exposed that the Thatcher government had helped their Indian counterpart by providing advice prior to that military operation. In its pursuit for the truth and transparency, the British Sikh community duly launched a campaign for an independent inquiry to establish the extent of that involvement," he said.

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"Whereas previous Conservative governments have tried to brush the issue under the carpet, Sikhs expected the new Labour government to establish that promised independent inquiry. When will that be initiated?" he questioned.

This demand for an independent inquiry came about a few years back when it became known that the British military advice was being offered to Indian forces before the event of Operation Blue Star. At that time, the British Prime Minister David Cameron had directed for an internal review on this account. A statement was thus released in Parliament where it was announced that Britain's role had only been "advisory" and that Special Air Service advice had "limited impact" on Operation Blue Star.

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Dhesi has also previously raised the issue in Parliament, and last week Powell said he was "absolutely right" to continue to raise it on behalf of the country's Sikh community.
"We need to get to the bottom of what happened, and I will ensure that the ministers responsible are in touch with him to discuss the matter further," she said.

A British Sikh Labour MP representing Wolverhampton West, Warrinder Juss, brought up the matter of "safety and security for Sikhs" and sought intervention from the government with their Indian counterparts.

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Juss replied: "I have a sizeable Sikh community in my constituency and have corresponded with my constituents on multiple occasions raising legitimate concerns over India's transnational repression and the political interference there, which carries risks to their safety and security not only whilst travelling to that country but while here."

To this, Powell replied: "Very important issues relating to transnational aggression"; he assured that the relevant ministers would update Commons on the subject "in due course".

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