Sikhs Angered in Britain over BBC’s Documentary on Operation Blue Star
A BBC film on operation Bluestar depicting late Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale ‘in a similar way to Osama bin Ladesh’ has triggered a furious response from many members of the community in Britain, reported Times of India citing a media report.
Citing ‘Dail Mail’, the report said that a number of Sikhs have deplored the documentary, ‘1984: A Sikh Story’, which they believe was a slur on Bhindranwale, who was killed when Indian Army stormed Golden Temple in 1984 during operation Blue Star ordered by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Dr Sadhu Singh, the Chairman of the Council of Sikh Temples, said that many viewers were angered that ‘the BBC showed him (Bhindranwale) looking like bin Laden’, report said.
He was quoted as saying: “They used pictures of him wearing a turban and holding a gun. To someone who doesn’t know what Sikhism is about, it would be very misleading. Sikhs were attacked after September 11, but Sikhs are nothing to do with bin Laden.
“Some people are very upset that the documentary also showed Sonia Deol dancing with Hindus as if there is no problem between Hindus and Sikhs. The feeling is still there that people who were responsible for 1984 have not been brought to justice.”
Ever since death, Bhindranwale has been a controversial figure in Indian history. Some regard him as martyrs who for fighting for the best interests of Sikhs while other see him as extremists, said report.
