Archive · 9 Jun 2025
MO Directorate Opposed Blue Star Army Involvement
A former high-ranking military official has shared that the people in charge of military plans at the time of a major event in the past, called Operation Blue Star, told the top Army general not to use the Army.
They thought the Army shouldn't get involved in what was really a political problem.
The Prime Minister, who was in charge, wanted the Army to do it after the police refused.
The military experts thought the Army shouldn't be used this way.
Because the Army Chief was reluctant, the Prime Minister found another General to do the job directly.
The MO directorate felt this was wrong, and a violation of the constitution.
Former Army Chief General VN Sharma revealed that the Military Operations (MO) directorate advised against Army involvement in Operation Blue Star.
The MO directorate viewed the operation as a political maneuver, inappropriate for the Army's role.
The Prime Minister Indira Gandhi wanted the Army to remove Bhindranwale after the police refused.
General Vaidya, then Army Chief, was advised by the MO directorate to utilize other forces instead of the Army.
The Prime Minister bypassed the Army Chief and approached the Western Army Commander, Lt Gen K Sundarji, directly to conduct the operation.
- Who
- Former Army Chief General VN Sharma, General AS Vaidya, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and Lt Gen K Sundarji.
- What
- Revelations from General VN Sharma about the MO directorate's opposition to the Army's involvement in Operation Blue Star.
- When
- The interview was uploaded on June 5, 2024, a day before the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star.
- Where
- Golden Temple, Punjab, and the Prime Minister's Office.
- Why
- The Prime Minister wanted to remove Bhindranwale using the Army after the police refused to do so.
Military Operations Directorate
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
Use of Army
Military Operations Directorate
Opposed using the Army for Operation Blue Star, considering it a political act and unconstitutional.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
The Prime Minister wanted the Army to carry out the operation within the Golden Temple.
- Interview Date
- June 5, 2024
- Interview Source
- Lex Consilium Foundation
- General VN Sharma's Role
- Additional Director General Military Operations (ADGMO)
- General AS Vaidya's Position
- Indian Army Chief during Operation Blue Star
- Lt Gen CN Somanna's Role
- Director General Military Operations (DGMO)
- Lt Gen K Sundarji's Position
- Western Army Commander