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The Khalistan Conspiracy: A Former R&AW Officer Unravels the Path to 1984
The author, a former Special Secretary of India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), examines a series of interconnected events that led to the rise of the Khalistan movement, Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 and the anti-Sikh violence unleashed thereafter. With a timeline that moves from seven years before to a decade after 1984, the book strives to answer critical questions that continue to linger till today.
The narrative moves from Punjab to Canada, the US, Europe and Delhi, looking to sift the truth from the political obfuscation and opportunism, examining the role that the ruling party allegedly played, and the heart-rending violence that devoured thousands of innocent lives in its aftermath.
The narrative moves from Punjab to Canada, the US, Europe and Delhi, looking to sift the truth from the political obfuscation and opportunism, examining the role that the ruling party allegedly played, and the heart-rending violence that devoured thousands of innocent lives in its aftermath.
296 pages, Hardcover
First published October 24, 2020
114 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 3, 2021
The book is an eye opener. It shows the reality of Congress, their leaders and the ideology they follow. Truly devastating. The damage done by Congress to this country and on the countrymen can never be justified, forgotten and forgiven.
February 11, 2021
An important read, not necessarily for the authors revelations, but more so for the realisation and reflection that India failed her citizens. The author takes us back to the decade of the late 70s and the early 80s and connects the dots so that the reader may understand the chain of events which lead to the catastrophic developments in Punjab. Importantly enough, he also provides a way forward and highlights the risks which the society and nation face today.
The book makes one ponder on the nature of Indian polity, the delicate social fabric that exists in India and the broader issue of communal harmony which has divided communities and destroyed lives over many years, even post 1947.
The book makes one ponder on the nature of Indian polity, the delicate social fabric that exists in India and the broader issue of communal harmony which has divided communities and destroyed lives over many years, even post 1947.
December 30, 2020
This is an account of the genesis of the Khalistan Problem from inception in late 70’s till 1984 and its impact thereafter. The author’s account is an interesting and absorbing one. I guess that the truth will lie somewhere in between - among all the narratives that I have read and heard about including the author’s.
November 4, 2020
A true account of events that destroyed Punjab
March 22, 2024
A major thing I want to point out before writing the rest of my review is that there are very major and crucial discrepancies between the audiobook published on audible and the text within the book itself. It happens throughout the book and leads to very disappointing portrayal of what happened in India during this very disgusting and bloody period.
There was a pattern with this omission. The parts that were missing were often describing positive aspects/qualities of the Sikhs or even the Khalistanis. The omissions would also paint the perpetrators of the genocide, including the Prime Minister herself Indira Gandhi in a more negative light. I will provide specific examples, but I question why the audiobook contained more info than the text itself? Is it so it is harder to search for these things that would go against the narrative of this book?
In Chapter 7, subsection: Riots, and more killings. The author describes the heinous anti-Sikh riots that were perpetrated by Hindu extremists on innocent shopkeepers and citizens. Forcibly shaving and clubbing multiple Sikhs to death. However at the end of the paragraph, the audiobook states:“According to BD Pandey, a fact that is always overlooked that the Sikh masses had not gone berserk. In fact, they kept their calm and as a mob never attacked the Hindus. Unlike the Hindu mobs of Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The Sikh masses and Akali Dal always stood for Sikh-Hindu unity. Whether the Hindus would’ve behaved similarly, Pandey has doubts. As they were being led by self-seeking leaders. They and the press would’ve continued to sew the seeds of bitterness among the Sikhs.”
This entire quoted section was transcribed personally by me from the official audiobooks. Yet it does not appear at all in the text itself. Is this not a crucial omission? Immediately following this section is a very extensive and descriptive section of murders done by the Khalistanis. The omission of this section does exactly what Pandey was talking about and throws the validity of this book and genuine intentions of the author or his editors with this book.
Throughout the book, this author defends Indira Gandhi‘s involvement in Operation Blue Star and often treats her as a third-party, or someone who did not get their hands dirty yet at the end of another chapter she said that she will she would bomb the Golden Temple herself. This was also omitted from the text.
Little sneaky tricks like this are why it is so hard to get to the truth of what happened to the Sikh people and India at that time. GBS Sidhu himself is full of biases throughout this book and there are some that the reader should be aware about. It seems that Sidhu‘s purpose with his book was to highlight the importance of his father-in-law Swaran Singh, and with that his admiration for Gandhi, which of course leads to him really focussing on “the plight of the Khalistani terrorist“.
Although I appreciate the perspective from a former R&AW agent, it is something that should be understood although he criticizes Congress and their actions. It is very limited to a very select few members. He seems to have a narrative that he wants to push through the book by going into extensive details over the more negative acts of the militants. The murder of one person from a Khalistani will get three paragraphs while the murders of countless Sikhs will get just one. It seems all the disgusting acts that the Indian government and Hindu mobs did during this time were either a quote from someone else or very quickly brushed over as when a Khalistani involved the actions very descriptive and gorey. By the end of a chapter, you will not even realize that he mentioned the killing or rape of a score of Sikh people, because a majority of it is the murder of one by a Khalistani.
This is not a book to understand the atrocities that the Sikh people and the innocent Hindu people suffered due to the actions of this evil government. Someone with limited knowledge or not a deep understanding of what occurred here could read this book and get a far off conclusion that is not pertaining to the reality and the grave situation that occurred in the 1980s of Punjab. It is clear the GBS Sidhu is a proud Sikh but at the same time in his own words, he stated: “Our primary responsibility was towards the nation and the protection of its security interests. Religious affiliation was secondary.” It is also possible that GBS Sidhu is concerned for his own safety as stated in the final two chapters.
Some of the positives of the books are the chapters that GBS Sidhu is able to flex his knowledge and is not weighed down by his hate of Khalistan. Early chapters like his breakdown of Sikhs in different diasporas, including Canada. I am aware that the Khalistanis did horrible things and am glad that he speaks of them, I just wish he gave the same attention to the eclipsing atrocities and continuous genocide that the Indian government is responsible for. His insight into the rise of Khalistani prominence is insightful and he is able to timeline events well. The strongest parts of this book are when he delivers objective facts and history. I also really appreciated his up-to-date breakdown of how protected these genocidal maniacs were by the Indian government.
This book, although it’s very clear biases and suspicious omissions, provided me a lot of insight and useful data, but one must know just because both parties are criticized that the criticism is not equal or truthful to what actually occurred. I purposely sought out this book because it provided a perspective from the Indian government so of course I understand that’s the case. It is disappointing and hard to recommend this book as you have to look through it with a fine tooth comb. I am very confused as to why the parts of the book that are in the audiobook are missing in the text. I did not initially think it was malicious, but by the end the pattern was so obvious that something must’ve been done in either the editing process or in this version that was released. Also, you must read this book with the audible audiobook as it contains more words that GBS Sidhu himself wrote.
There was a pattern with this omission. The parts that were missing were often describing positive aspects/qualities of the Sikhs or even the Khalistanis. The omissions would also paint the perpetrators of the genocide, including the Prime Minister herself Indira Gandhi in a more negative light. I will provide specific examples, but I question why the audiobook contained more info than the text itself? Is it so it is harder to search for these things that would go against the narrative of this book?
In Chapter 7, subsection: Riots, and more killings. The author describes the heinous anti-Sikh riots that were perpetrated by Hindu extremists on innocent shopkeepers and citizens. Forcibly shaving and clubbing multiple Sikhs to death. However at the end of the paragraph, the audiobook states:“According to BD Pandey, a fact that is always overlooked that the Sikh masses had not gone berserk. In fact, they kept their calm and as a mob never attacked the Hindus. Unlike the Hindu mobs of Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The Sikh masses and Akali Dal always stood for Sikh-Hindu unity. Whether the Hindus would’ve behaved similarly, Pandey has doubts. As they were being led by self-seeking leaders. They and the press would’ve continued to sew the seeds of bitterness among the Sikhs.”
This entire quoted section was transcribed personally by me from the official audiobooks. Yet it does not appear at all in the text itself. Is this not a crucial omission? Immediately following this section is a very extensive and descriptive section of murders done by the Khalistanis. The omission of this section does exactly what Pandey was talking about and throws the validity of this book and genuine intentions of the author or his editors with this book.
Throughout the book, this author defends Indira Gandhi‘s involvement in Operation Blue Star and often treats her as a third-party, or someone who did not get their hands dirty yet at the end of another chapter she said that she will she would bomb the Golden Temple herself. This was also omitted from the text.
Little sneaky tricks like this are why it is so hard to get to the truth of what happened to the Sikh people and India at that time. GBS Sidhu himself is full of biases throughout this book and there are some that the reader should be aware about. It seems that Sidhu‘s purpose with his book was to highlight the importance of his father-in-law Swaran Singh, and with that his admiration for Gandhi, which of course leads to him really focussing on “the plight of the Khalistani terrorist“.
Although I appreciate the perspective from a former R&AW agent, it is something that should be understood although he criticizes Congress and their actions. It is very limited to a very select few members. He seems to have a narrative that he wants to push through the book by going into extensive details over the more negative acts of the militants. The murder of one person from a Khalistani will get three paragraphs while the murders of countless Sikhs will get just one. It seems all the disgusting acts that the Indian government and Hindu mobs did during this time were either a quote from someone else or very quickly brushed over as when a Khalistani involved the actions very descriptive and gorey. By the end of a chapter, you will not even realize that he mentioned the killing or rape of a score of Sikh people, because a majority of it is the murder of one by a Khalistani.
This is not a book to understand the atrocities that the Sikh people and the innocent Hindu people suffered due to the actions of this evil government. Someone with limited knowledge or not a deep understanding of what occurred here could read this book and get a far off conclusion that is not pertaining to the reality and the grave situation that occurred in the 1980s of Punjab. It is clear the GBS Sidhu is a proud Sikh but at the same time in his own words, he stated: “Our primary responsibility was towards the nation and the protection of its security interests. Religious affiliation was secondary.” It is also possible that GBS Sidhu is concerned for his own safety as stated in the final two chapters.
Some of the positives of the books are the chapters that GBS Sidhu is able to flex his knowledge and is not weighed down by his hate of Khalistan. Early chapters like his breakdown of Sikhs in different diasporas, including Canada. I am aware that the Khalistanis did horrible things and am glad that he speaks of them, I just wish he gave the same attention to the eclipsing atrocities and continuous genocide that the Indian government is responsible for. His insight into the rise of Khalistani prominence is insightful and he is able to timeline events well. The strongest parts of this book are when he delivers objective facts and history. I also really appreciated his up-to-date breakdown of how protected these genocidal maniacs were by the Indian government.
This book, although it’s very clear biases and suspicious omissions, provided me a lot of insight and useful data, but one must know just because both parties are criticized that the criticism is not equal or truthful to what actually occurred. I purposely sought out this book because it provided a perspective from the Indian government so of course I understand that’s the case. It is disappointing and hard to recommend this book as you have to look through it with a fine tooth comb. I am very confused as to why the parts of the book that are in the audiobook are missing in the text. I did not initially think it was malicious, but by the end the pattern was so obvious that something must’ve been done in either the editing process or in this version that was released. Also, you must read this book with the audible audiobook as it contains more words that GBS Sidhu himself wrote.
May 28, 2025
Mediocrity at its best! 🤦♂️
March 30, 2023
This guy is salty. Wrote 1 line about Indira gandhi’s assassination. Nothing about atrocities on Hindus. Biased.
August 15, 2022
A strong 4.7 ⭐ read!
𝙆𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣. 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧. 𝘽𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙚. 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙈 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙖 𝙂𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙝𝙞. 𝙍𝙞𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 1984.
I am sure most of us have heard about these incidents and I am sure a lot of us are aware of the blood shed that happened in 1984 pogrom.
Yes, 𝙋𝙊𝙂𝙍𝙊𝙈!
Google defines pogrom as:
" 𝘱𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘨 𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘴.
𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 " 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘣 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺."
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘪𝘧 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮."
The continuous usage of this word (pogrom) in the book, didn't bother me in the beginning but as I made my way into the book and the haze cleared away, I understood its significance.
G.B.S Sidhu, a former R&AW officer and son-in-law of Sardar Swarna Singh, has given some staggering and unimaginable accounts, right from the inception of the "𝙆𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙮" that dates around the dawn of 1970s. The narration by Sidhu is often so surreal that it keeps the reader in a constant disbelief which can be fought through a constant reminder of the fact that the text is a non fiction and not a dystopian thriller.
One can expect to find answers to the various allegations which surrounds the operation with an aura of confidentiality.
Who was Bhindranwale and how he became so powerful?
From where the concept of Khalistan started?
What went wrong with Operation Blue Star? How it turned into a disaster?
Was it right for the Indian Army to enter the Golden Temple and conduct such an operation?
How we blood stained the history of our ever inclusive and accommodative motherland?
There are so many things to say but for the moment in the words of Voltaire - "It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.”
𝙆𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣. 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧. 𝘽𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙚. 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙈 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙖 𝙂𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙝𝙞. 𝙍𝙞𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 1984.
I am sure most of us have heard about these incidents and I am sure a lot of us are aware of the blood shed that happened in 1984 pogrom.
Yes, 𝙋𝙊𝙂𝙍𝙊𝙈!
Google defines pogrom as:
" 𝘱𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘨 𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘴.
𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 " 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘣 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺."
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘪𝘧 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮."
The continuous usage of this word (pogrom) in the book, didn't bother me in the beginning but as I made my way into the book and the haze cleared away, I understood its significance.
G.B.S Sidhu, a former R&AW officer and son-in-law of Sardar Swarna Singh, has given some staggering and unimaginable accounts, right from the inception of the "𝙆𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙮" that dates around the dawn of 1970s. The narration by Sidhu is often so surreal that it keeps the reader in a constant disbelief which can be fought through a constant reminder of the fact that the text is a non fiction and not a dystopian thriller.
One can expect to find answers to the various allegations which surrounds the operation with an aura of confidentiality.
Who was Bhindranwale and how he became so powerful?
From where the concept of Khalistan started?
What went wrong with Operation Blue Star? How it turned into a disaster?
Was it right for the Indian Army to enter the Golden Temple and conduct such an operation?
How we blood stained the history of our ever inclusive and accommodative motherland?
There are so many things to say but for the moment in the words of Voltaire - "It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.”
June 28, 2023
My words are - WOWWWWW, Awesome
Absolutely, a brilliant read.
An eye opener, on how politics play.
Absolutely, a brilliant read.
An eye opener, on how politics play.
November 20, 2022
It is good attempt to related historical events and bring a theory. Although author highlighted the plight of sikhs PM Indira Gandhi's assassination, how he feared about his family and friend's lives, however, the plight of hindus and the count of hindus died during militancy is not brought into light. And author failed to highlight the cruelty and inhuman suffering of people of punjab, specially hindus. How ordinary sikhs became monsters, this can not be blamed to governments alone, it need soul searching for the sikhs in Punjab and the author. Recently the peaceful protests has demonstrated that if the intents are noble, policies can be mended. Modi is not less stronger and determined than Indira. Even he has bent, same could have been the case in the past.
Giving only two stars, for authos's attempt to bring few hidden facts to for-front.
Giving only two stars, for authos's attempt to bring few hidden facts to for-front.
July 2, 2021
I'd recommend this book to understand why and how the image of Bhindranwale was created and how it favoured the Congress. The book is well written with personal accounts of the author and well supported by historical evidences and anecdotes of other more prominent books on the subject. However, in the later chapters, there is a somewhat negative portrayal of the Indian Armed Forces, which I guess comes from personal bias. It can be overlooked because the author only hints at the apparent *atrocities* committed by the army during the infamous Operation Blue Star. Besides this one point, I find the book to be enlightening, knowledgeable and soul stirring. It answers the fundamental questions related to the bogus and non- existing demands for Khalistan, why someone like Bhindranwale was created by the Congress, etc. Overall, a good read with a lot of backstory supported by personal experiences and knowledge of the author as a R&AW official. However, I'd also suggest reading books by former DGP, Punjab KPS Gill and Lieutenant General Kuldip Singh Brar and the book, Amritsar: Mrs Gandhi'sLast Battle by Mark Tully and Satish Jacob on the same topic, to get a better, overall perspective.
August 10, 2023
This book should be called “1 Akbar Road Conspiracy” or “Congress Conspiracy” because that’s exactly this book talks about - the sinister plot to raise a monster, allow him & his thugs to do monstrosities, and then to slay it on a stage to the relief and ovations of people just in time to reap max benefits. With terrible externalities suffered soon after by populations, who are still paying price for the political misadventures carried out by this mafioso.
This book should be read as it talks about an important issue - not a particular event - that repeats itself even today, with a fair degree of balance and credibility. However I found a hint of softness for Bhindrawale in chapter “Operation Bluestar” where these cowards are described as brave jat-Sikhs fighting for the defense of the Akal Takht where I see it the other way around - they hid inside the shrine and put it in disrespect, disrepute and danger only to save themselves. In my view, he was a puppet of this mafioso, a charlatan and a criminal. By the end of 1984, the far ends of this conspiracy got belated executions but left considerable radioactivity for coming generations.
In any case, I would 100% recommended this book.
This book should be read as it talks about an important issue - not a particular event - that repeats itself even today, with a fair degree of balance and credibility. However I found a hint of softness for Bhindrawale in chapter “Operation Bluestar” where these cowards are described as brave jat-Sikhs fighting for the defense of the Akal Takht where I see it the other way around - they hid inside the shrine and put it in disrespect, disrepute and danger only to save themselves. In my view, he was a puppet of this mafioso, a charlatan and a criminal. By the end of 1984, the far ends of this conspiracy got belated executions but left considerable radioactivity for coming generations.
In any case, I would 100% recommended this book.
August 12, 2021
The book is an eye opener to dirty political manipulations that creates factionalism and religious fundamentalism. Most of the terrorist activities that we see today are creations of politicians for their quest for power and corruption. After reading this, I lost the remaining respect also towards Gandhi/Nehru family. I felt the narration quite convincing for a non academic reader like me.
Only thing which I felt little irksome was the writing style or the story telling style which I felt sometimes as not chronological. While talking about 1983 it goes back to 1981 and then again era is reset. I feel it could have been better if it was written how it happened in a flow even if reader might have to connect the dots later. But of course that didn't kill my interest.
Only thing which I felt little irksome was the writing style or the story telling style which I felt sometimes as not chronological. While talking about 1983 it goes back to 1981 and then again era is reset. I feel it could have been better if it was written how it happened in a flow even if reader might have to connect the dots later. But of course that didn't kill my interest.
January 25, 2022
Author comes across as extremely knowledgeable and in the know of things. Definitely a subject of this magnitude requires extensive research. Author has used his personal recollection and sources to tie the story together of one of the darkest periods in Independent India's history. There is some repetition and start of the book is very dense in terms of people and timelines however as one goes thru it clarity of thought and connections do come out clearly. Having grown up in Punjab in those times and experienced the ill-effects of wrongful political will I am glad that someone has tried to bring out true threads from a blood stained cloth. Hope this makes a dent in getting the truth out and bring some closure...
August 19, 2023
This is a gripping account of the political and social forces that shaped the radical movement in India in the second half of the 20th century.
The author's insights into the role of regional and global powers in the Khalistan movement add a new dimensions to our understanding of this contentious issue.
The author's meticulous research , personal experience in the intelligence services and lucid writing style make this book an interesting but a painful read.
He exposes the complex web of alliances and conflicts between political factions occuring in the state of Punjab.
The author's insights into the role of regional and global powers in the Khalistan movement add a new dimensions to our understanding of this contentious issue.
The author's meticulous research , personal experience in the intelligence services and lucid writing style make this book an interesting but a painful read.
He exposes the complex web of alliances and conflicts between political factions occuring in the state of Punjab.
June 9, 2021
A below average read. The recommendations made by the author are totally impractical and far fetched from reality. The book covers one probable conspiracy angle behind Khalistan, Bhindranwale and Indira Gandhi's assassination however even that hasn't been well substantiated.
January 6, 2024
It’s a book on an important part of Indian history by an insider. That’s a solid premise. However, I feel that the book is let down too much unnecessary details (eg. names and designations of people who only appear once in the book), which tends to slow down the book and confuse the reader.
July 6, 2023
While growing up I always heard about Operation Blue Star when the elders gathered together for political gossip and the point of discussion veered towards Ms Indira Gandhi. And in all that discussion somebody always made an emphatic point that Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale was Indira Ji's own creation. Till that time I knew about Operation Blue Star, the destruction of the Golden Temple, and the Tanks entering the temple premises, but I didn't know about Congress' pivotal role that culminated in the Operation.
The book provides an insider account of all the events right from 1977 to 1984 and the involvement of non-constitutional parties that influenced the decision-making on Punjab. It details the confused position of the Akalis and the dubious role of our then-President Sh. Giani Zail Singh. Failure of every government body (right up to the highest office) for political opportunism during the period led to the sad events of 1984 (Operation Blue Star, the death of Ms Indira Gandhi, and the Sikh Riots). The saddest part was reading about the gruesome details of the Sikh Riots.
The way forward provided by the author at the end of the book is extremely pragmatic and doable for healing a 40-year-old wound inflicted on the Sikh Community.
The book provides an insider account of all the events right from 1977 to 1984 and the involvement of non-constitutional parties that influenced the decision-making on Punjab. It details the confused position of the Akalis and the dubious role of our then-President Sh. Giani Zail Singh. Failure of every government body (right up to the highest office) for political opportunism during the period led to the sad events of 1984 (Operation Blue Star, the death of Ms Indira Gandhi, and the Sikh Riots). The saddest part was reading about the gruesome details of the Sikh Riots.
The way forward provided by the author at the end of the book is extremely pragmatic and doable for healing a 40-year-old wound inflicted on the Sikh Community.
May 20, 2025
G.B.S. Sidhu presents a bold and unsettling account of how political expediency and internal power games within the Indian National Congress party, led by Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi, in the 1980s, fueled the Punjab insurgency and ultimately led to the tragedy of Operation Bluestar. Sidhu names the "1 Akbar Road group"—a reference to the Congress Party's power hub—the mastermind behind the calculated propping up of Bhindranwale and the manipulation of the Akali Dal for short-term political gains.
The book lays bare two covert operations: the Congress's deliberate association of Bhindranwale with Khalistan to stigmatize Sikh leadership (OP-1), and their strategy to widen the rift between Hindus and Sikhs, with the intention to “take care of” Bhindranwale when convenient (OP-2). Sidhu also exposes President Zail Singh’s betrayal of the Akali leadership and the irony of Congress betraying him at the crucial moment (reap what you sow).
The book concludes with reflections on justice, suggesting that the time for real accountability has largely passed. Yet, the revelations within remain crucial for historical reckoning and understanding how political ambition led to one of modern India’s darkest chapters.
Definite read for every single Indian!
The book lays bare two covert operations: the Congress's deliberate association of Bhindranwale with Khalistan to stigmatize Sikh leadership (OP-1), and their strategy to widen the rift between Hindus and Sikhs, with the intention to “take care of” Bhindranwale when convenient (OP-2). Sidhu also exposes President Zail Singh’s betrayal of the Akali leadership and the irony of Congress betraying him at the crucial moment (reap what you sow).
The book concludes with reflections on justice, suggesting that the time for real accountability has largely passed. Yet, the revelations within remain crucial for historical reckoning and understanding how political ambition led to one of modern India’s darkest chapters.
Definite read for every single Indian!
April 20, 2024
The book detailing 1984 and the build up to the unfortunate events is a gripping read, and I could not put it down after picking it up.
It goes deep into the author's experiences as an R&AW agent during those times and explains the genesis, and masterminds behind the Khalistan issue.
The book explains how it was never a demand to begin with, but a myth fabricated originally for political gains.
Learnt a whole bunch of history that is, unfortunately, not taught anywhere else.
Make no mistake, it's a heavy read as with each page, the number of civilian and police casualties increase, but it sheds light onto a suppresed section of history about how the dynasties that ruled India could go to any and meant lengths to maintain political power.
The reason why 4-stars is because there's a but of conjecture involved, as is expected, around few significant plot points that the book assumes a position on, and although logical, due to lack of references, feel like hypothesis more than history.
A stellar read, and would encourage everyone who wishes to talk about the issue to read it.
It goes deep into the author's experiences as an R&AW agent during those times and explains the genesis, and masterminds behind the Khalistan issue.
The book explains how it was never a demand to begin with, but a myth fabricated originally for political gains.
Learnt a whole bunch of history that is, unfortunately, not taught anywhere else.
Make no mistake, it's a heavy read as with each page, the number of civilian and police casualties increase, but it sheds light onto a suppresed section of history about how the dynasties that ruled India could go to any and meant lengths to maintain political power.
The reason why 4-stars is because there's a but of conjecture involved, as is expected, around few significant plot points that the book assumes a position on, and although logical, due to lack of references, feel like hypothesis more than history.
A stellar read, and would encourage everyone who wishes to talk about the issue to read it.
July 5, 2023
This is an important book if one wants to understand the narrative which led to the origin of the Frankenstein monster known as Khalistan.
The author highlights the role played by the Indira Gandhi government to foment support for such a cause so as to reap political dividends. People like Giani Zail Singh were complicit in this conspiracy right from the beginning. The 1, Akbar Road group comprising Kamal Nath, Narsimha Rao, Arun Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi all tried to play with fire.
The author draws from his experience to weave a gripping narrative of the events which led to the creation of this monster. He grippingly mentions the details and the role played by various actors.
That the unrest in Punjab is the greatest gift given to Pakistan by Congress is an understatement. Congress is an anti-national force that keeps on giving.
There are usual caveats associated with the book as the author is biased towards Swaran Singh, author’s father in law. That Swaran Singh nearly brought peace between the Amalia and the Indira Gandhi has been acknowledged by Mark Tully in his book. Sad that Indira honoured politics over statesmanship. A trait of the Gandhi family.
The author has also taken a very kind view of his own errors (he fails to send an important letter to his seniors about the Indira Gandhi assassination), but expects others to be completely rational and by-the-book. Nonetheless, these caveats are expected as no man can be completely objective.
The author highlights the role played by the Indira Gandhi government to foment support for such a cause so as to reap political dividends. People like Giani Zail Singh were complicit in this conspiracy right from the beginning. The 1, Akbar Road group comprising Kamal Nath, Narsimha Rao, Arun Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi all tried to play with fire.
The author draws from his experience to weave a gripping narrative of the events which led to the creation of this monster. He grippingly mentions the details and the role played by various actors.
That the unrest in Punjab is the greatest gift given to Pakistan by Congress is an understatement. Congress is an anti-national force that keeps on giving.
There are usual caveats associated with the book as the author is biased towards Swaran Singh, author’s father in law. That Swaran Singh nearly brought peace between the Amalia and the Indira Gandhi has been acknowledged by Mark Tully in his book. Sad that Indira honoured politics over statesmanship. A trait of the Gandhi family.
The author has also taken a very kind view of his own errors (he fails to send an important letter to his seniors about the Indira Gandhi assassination), but expects others to be completely rational and by-the-book. Nonetheless, these caveats are expected as no man can be completely objective.
June 28, 2024
One of the good read on the Punjab issue. The author, himself worked in R&AW and govt services across Canada and the USA, before the Khalistan consistency started.
Overall a balanced perspective with the motive behind this conspiracy which is still alive &catch a fire anytime.
Author mentioned the 1 Akbar road group behind the whole scene with the silent approval of Prime minister Indira Gandhi, later she paid price with her life which was totally avoidable. The mistakes & ego massaging of a family, created many such issues, commners paid huge prices.
I feel,author was not concern on the damage & trauma of Hindus of Punjab, the price they paid just for being hindu in Punjab. There were a massive violence unleashed against punjabi hindus post'84 and even before,punjabi hindu leaders, activists were shot by extremists('81-92).
Overall a balanced perspective with the motive behind this conspiracy which is still alive &catch a fire anytime.
Author mentioned the 1 Akbar road group behind the whole scene with the silent approval of Prime minister Indira Gandhi, later she paid price with her life which was totally avoidable. The mistakes & ego massaging of a family, created many such issues, commners paid huge prices.
I feel,author was not concern on the damage & trauma of Hindus of Punjab, the price they paid just for being hindu in Punjab. There were a massive violence unleashed against punjabi hindus post'84 and even before,punjabi hindu leaders, activists were shot by extremists('81-92).
September 25, 2022
Book is full of personal accounts and perceptions of the author, but is insightful of the events of the period and misgivings of the government of that day. The analysis of the facts presented of that period clearly indicates an ulterior political motive to allow the situation to go from bad to worse. The irrationally of decision to use the quantum of force and the resultant fallout will always remain a blot on the democratic ideals which the country espouses.
Overall a balanced narration of the events by author and he has also recommended a way forward for mature democracy like India to adopt.
Overall a balanced narration of the events by author and he has also recommended a way forward for mature democracy like India to adopt.
August 2, 2023
A gut-wrenching recollection of events that led to the bloodiest period in the history of Punjab post-independence. It's a complete story of how a group of malevolent politicians connived to create a secessionist movement for electoral gains, actively supported by the then Prime Minister. The book details how Khalistan - a non-existent issue - before the late 70s was brought to the center stage via two clandestine operations by cotiere of people close to the Gandhi family and how it reaped them political benefits at the cost of chaos in a state, a deadly pogrom, and the life of a sitting Prime Minister.
October 2, 2023
Painful to say the least. The way powerful people have used innocent people as pawns in their games and fetish for power is detailed out as a first person account. The Frankenstein created by Gandhis and more sadly a Sikh like Giani Zail Singh and supported by the minions like PC Alexander, Arun Singh, Arun Nehru , Kamal Nath, Generals , Intelligence officials and policemen and many more of those who used the sufferings of Sikhs and a Hindus to drive a wedge and be in the good books of Gandh cult is pathetic .
It’s shameful and underlines the fact that the common citizens have been taken for a ride and the power concentration in a few hands is never a great idea.
It’s shameful and underlines the fact that the common citizens have been taken for a ride and the power concentration in a few hands is never a great idea.
February 25, 2025
The author is a former RAW officer and the book tries to explain how Indira and the 1 Akbar gang created the monster of Bhindranwale and a non existent Khalistan problem to create a divide between Hindus and Sikhs and use that to win the next LS elections. While it is very explosive, the author seems to be very level headed and goes about explaining the facts of what exactly happened. Raises some pertinent questions on how the Khalistan was a non issue till Indira came to power in 1980. How, the talks with Akalis kept failing (deliberately) and how all other ways of capturing Bhindranwale was avoided. Excellent and interesting read.
April 18, 2021
The author does a brilliant job of laying the facts out for us. Although the content is full of classified revelations at multiple places, I did not particularly enjoy the unnecessary details at few others. A must read for anyone interested to know or strengthen their belief that political parties are just bunch of people with myopic vision and high vested interests. Only when most of us will be privileged enough to read few of such books, will we, as a democracy, be able to exercise the power of voting in true sense.
May 15, 2021
A gruesome story of political treachery and betrayal. Such cold blooded murder of thousand of innocents for pity personal gains is barbaric and heinous. Irrespective of the political party or religious affiliation, the conceivers as well as perpetrators of such crimes should be treated as terrorists and their action considered as gravest of grave offence against humanity. Also, the blood clots of poor victims splashed on the black aprons of our Milords cannot get washed away even with the passage of time.
December 5, 2023
Sidhu is an ex RAW officer and has given an insider's account of the events leading to the khalistan problem from 1970 onwards.
Well researched and full of fascinating facts. Bhindranwalle was cultivated by Congress as an electoral ploy and things went out of hand. The unrest in Punjab, Sikh militancy, operation bluestar, murder of Indira Gandhi and the progrom against the Sikhs in the aftermath are all described in great detail.
A very interesting non fiction.
Well researched and full of fascinating facts. Bhindranwalle was cultivated by Congress as an electoral ploy and things went out of hand. The unrest in Punjab, Sikh militancy, operation bluestar, murder of Indira Gandhi and the progrom against the Sikhs in the aftermath are all described in great detail.
A very interesting non fiction.
February 21, 2021
The author has given a detailed account of how the once non-existent idea of Khalistan came about and he takes us along a journey in a chronological manner. I could connect with the author, his story and his emotions along with ideas and the validations that he puts forth. The topic is very important in the current times as well
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