Shiromani Akali Dal demands explanation from Congress on British aid in Operation Bluestar of 1984

CHANDIGARH: Some disclosures showed that then Prime Minster Indira Gandhi had sought "advice and help" from the British Government in ordering and executing Operation Bluestar.

The Shiromani Akali Dal on Sunday demanded a detailed explanation from the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre on the "advice and help" sought by the government on "planning and carrying out" the brutal attack on the Golden Temple in 1984.

A resolution, passed at the party's Core Committee meeting, described as "shocking and highly condemnable" the disclosures which showed that then Prime Minster Indira Gandhi sought "advice and help" from the British Government in ordering and executing Operation Bluestar.

"The issue involves the sovereignty of the country. What is the guarantee that even the present Congress leaders at the Centre are not hobnobbing with foreign powers against their political rivals at home? We demand disclosure of all details regarding any such deals," the resolution reads.

The meeting also expressed concern over deteriorating plight of farmers because of the anti-farmer policies of the Congress-led UPA government and demanded formulation of a national policy on agriculture. The policy should aim at making agriculture a remunerative profession through remunerative MSP for farm produce.