Pressure Mounts on UK Government Over Golden Temple Massacre Inquiry

[Social Media]

 

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Pressure Mounts on UK Government Over Golden Temple Massacre Inquiry

 

Thousands gathered in central London, renewing calls for the UK government to honour its long-standing pledge to investigate Britain’s potential involvement in the 1984 Golden Temple massacre. Amid growing pressure, Sky News has been told that an inquiry into the UK’s military role is now “under consideration”.

 

The massacre, known as Operation Blue Star, saw Indian forces storm the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Sikhism’s holiest shrine, in June 1984. The operation targeted armed separatists advocating for an independent Sikh homeland. The Indian government maintained it was a counterterrorism measure, but hundreds of civilians were killed in the operation. For decades, the Sikh community has sought answers about the extent of foreign support provided to the Indian government.

 

The issue gained renewed urgency in 2014 when classified documents revealed that the Thatcher government had sent a British SAS officer to India to assist with planning the raid. While a subsequent internal UK review concluded that Britain's involvement was “purely advisory” and “limited”, many in the Sikh community rejected the findings, pointing to the narrow scope and speed of the investigation.

 

Calls for a comprehensive, independent inquiry have only intensified since. “My message to the government is that it’s about time that the Sikh community got their truth and transparency,” said Tan Dhesi, Britain’s most prominent Sikh MP and Labour chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee. “That can only come about through an inquiry to establish the extent of the Thatcher-led government’s involvement.”

 

Dhesi also revealed to Sky News that he has been in contact with ministers and officials at Number 10 who have confirmed that an inquiry is “under consideration”. However, nearly 11 months into Labour’s time in office, there has been no formal update from the government.

 

During Sunday’s rally, community leaders and activists demanded that Labour follow through on its prior commitments. While in opposition, Labour pledged an independent inquiry in its 2017 and 2019 manifestos, and again in 2022 through a letter from Sir Keir Starmer addressed to the Sikh community. “A future Labour government will open an independent inquiry into Britain’s military role in the Indian army’s 1984 raid on the Golden Temple in Amritsar,” the letter said. Angela Rayner, now Deputy Prime Minister, reinforced the promise in a social media post just before the last general election, stating: “Labour stands with the Sikh community in calling for an inquiry into the historic role Britain played.”

 

Yet, Labour’s silence since entering office has drawn criticism. Speaking at Sunday’s protest, Dabinderjit Singh OBE, lead executive for political engagement at the Sikh Federation (UK), stated: “It is totally unacceptable that the Labour leadership remains silent on its promise. A judge-led public inquiry must take place so we have the full truth. If Labour breaks its promise, it will be an act of betrayal. Labour will lose much of the Sikh vote if they let us down.”

 

In January, during a House exchange, Leader of the House Lucy Powell addressed the matter, saying: “I know that this matter is of great importance to the Sikh community across the UK. We need to get to the bottom of what happened, and I will ensure that the ministers responsible are in touch with him [Mr Dhesi] to discuss the matter further.”

 

Over 400 Sikh organisations have also written directly to Prime Minister Starmer this year, urging him to make good on his word. Yet, according to Sky News, there are ongoing concerns within government over how a public inquiry might affect the UK’s diplomatic relationship with India, given the countries’ increasingly close economic and political ties.

 

For the Sikh community, however, the issue remains one of principle and justice. As protestors made clear on Sunday, only a full and independent investigation will suffice — and the longer the silence, the deeper the mistrust grows.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Sky News  2025-06-04

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

Tan Dhesi, Britain’s most prominent Sikh MP and Labour chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee. “That can only come about through an inquiry to establish the extent of the Thatcher-led government’s involvement.”

Expect an enquiry from flip flop Kier

 

British Sikhs are threatening to “no platform” Labour MPs over the lack of a public inquiry into UK complicity in the 1984 Golden Temple massacre in India, amid warnings “frustrated” Sikh voters could back Reform UK.

More than 450 gurdwaras, charities, associations and university societies have written to Keir Starmer demanding he honour previous promises to fully investigate the affair or risk “massive consequences for the re-election of many Labour MPs”.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/01/uk-sikhs-may-no-platform-labour-mps-over-lack-of-amritsar-massacre-inquiry

 

[James105]

Do British people care about this?  I keep being told that no matter where someone's ancestors come from if they live in Britain they are British.   Doesn't seem like a very British concern to me so have no idea why all these British people are protesting.  

[RuamRudy]

34 minutes ago, James105 said:

Do British people care about this?  I keep being told that no matter where someone's ancestors come from if they live in Britain they are British.   Doesn't seem like a very British concern to me so have no idea why all these British people are protesting.  

 

Are British people so insular that they are unable to hold concerns about activities in other countries, especially when they affect their culture or extended family? 

 

As a Brit, my concern is about the allegation that my government supported a foreign government to commit atrocities against civilians. 

[bendejo]

I remember this.  The Sikhs had a separatist movement, they would go out and attack something, then when they were pursued they'd run to the temple, sacred shrine to be respected, etc.  Then one day the Indian army went in after them, and at a later date the Sikhs retaliated by killing the PM.  I've heard Sikhs say that what the Indian gov't is doing to them is ethnic cleansing.  Make of that what you will.

They should leave this alone.  Maybe there is some thinking that this inquiry would legitimize the separatist cause, but condoning the assassination of Indira Gandhi might be too much of a hurdle IMO.

 

[stevenl]

17 hours ago, bendejo said:

They should leave this alone. 

Agreed.

[JonnyF]

On 6/3/2025 at 5:27 AM, Social Media said:

 

In January, during a House exchange, Leader of the House Lucy Powell addressed the matter, saying: “I know that this matter is of great importance to the Sikh community across the UK. We need to get to the bottom of what happened, and I will ensure that the ministers responsible are in touch with him [Mr Dhesi] to discuss the matter further.”

 

No talk of "dog whistles" this time Lucy?

 

No "Oh we want to blow that little Trumpet now do we?" when the Sikh's want a proper enquiry into what happened? What a surprise.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2ew9jnj2p1o

 

 

I would expect Starmer to jump at this. It could provide an excellent opportunity to give away more British money/territory to appease his hatred of Britain/white guilt.