BBC commissions feature documentary on 1984 Golden Temple assault
The BBC has commissioned a feature documentary examining the 1984 assault on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, known as Operation Blue Star, and its continuing impact on Sikh communities in Britain and around the world.
Titled ‘Amritsar – Siege at the Temple’ (w/t), the 90-minute film will air on BBC Two and be available on BBC iPlayer. It is produced by Rogan Scotland and will also receive a limited theatrical release.
In June 1984, the Indian Army launched an operation at the Golden Temple complex to remove armed militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The military action developed into a major confrontation involving troops, tanks, pilgrims and civilians. Bhindranwale was killed during the operation, while parts of the temple complex were severely damaged.
The documentary will examine the events surrounding Operation Blue Star and the subsequent assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards in October 1984, followed by widespread anti-Sikh violence in Delhi.
It will also explore the international ramifications of the operation, including the 2012 attack in London on General Kuldip Singh Brar, who commanded the Indian Army operation, and the release of declassified British documents in 2014 concerning UK Special Forces advice to India ahead of the assault.
Related to this
The film will examine Britain’s role and the continuing debate within parts of the Sikh community over calls for further investigation, while bringing together eyewitnesses and key figures from different perspectives.
Director Duncan Singh said, “It is a great privilege to make this landmark feature documentary on such a pivotal moment in India’s modern history. What happened at the Golden Temple in 1984, and then the devastating fallout that followed, remains raw to this day for so many in the Sikh faith. New revelations of British special forces involvement, and an extraordinary range of profound, first hand testimony – much of it from people speaking publicly for the first time – has allowed us to produce a powerful, compelling and deeply emotional film, about one of India’s darkest chapters.”
‘Amritsar – Siege at the Temple’ airs this Autumn on BBC Two.
