Overview

• Chidambaram said the decision to launch the 1984 operation was cumulative, involving the Army, police, intelligence and the civil service, rather than the sole responsibility of Indira Gandhi.
• He made the remarks while moderating a session on Harinder Baweja’s book at the Khushwant Singh Literature Festival in Kasauli.
• Congress leadership is very upset with the comments, party sources said, adding that senior leaders should avoid statements that embarrass the party.
• BJP figures leveraged the remarks, with IT chief Amit Malviya calling them truthful and questioning whether Congress would act against Chidambaram.
• He contrasted Blue Star with later approaches such as Black Thunder that kept the Army out, and said calls for Khalistan have largely faded as Punjab now grapples with economic distress and migration.