Congress demands Girish Mahajan's ouster over Operation Blue Star remarks
Synopsis
Maharashtra's Water Resources Minister attended an Operation Blue Star commemoration in Amritsar, called 6 June a 'black day,' and criticised Indira Gandhi's decision to send in the Army — with photos of Bhindranwale visible on stage. Congress is now demanding his immediate ouster, invoking the sacrifices of General Arun Kumar Vaidya and even challenging him to condemn NSA Ajit Doval's role in the same mission.
Key Takeaways
MPCC President Harshwardhan Sapkal on 10 June demanded the immediate removal of Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan from the Maharashtra Cabinet and the BJP .
Mahajan attended the 42nd anniversary commemoration of Operation Blue Star on 6 June at Damdami Taksal, Chowk Mehta, Amritsar , as a representative of CM Devendra Fadnavis .
He reportedly described 6 June as a 'kaala din' and criticised former PM Indira Gandhi for ordering the 1984 military operation.
Congress invoked the sacrifices of PM Indira Gandhi and General Arun Kumar Vaidya , both assassinated by terrorists linked to the Khalistan movement.
Sapkal challenged Mahajan to also condemn NSA Ajit Doval's reported involvement in the same operation, calling it a contradiction.
Congress called on PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to publicly clarify whether Mahajan's position reflects official government policy.
The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Tuesday, 10 June demanded the immediate removal of Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan from the Maharashtra Cabinet and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing him of making 'anti-national' remarks that insulted the Indian Armed Forces during a visit to Punjab. The demand follows Mahajan's attendance at the 42nd anniversary commemoration of Operation Blue Star on 6 June at the Damdami Taksal headquarters in Chowk Mehta, Amritsar.
What Mahajan Said
Mahajan, who attended the event as a representative of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, described 6 June as a 'kaala din' (black day), strongly condemned the 1984 military operation, and criticised former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for 'forcibly' ordering the Army into the sacred shrine. Critics noted that photographs of Khalistani separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were displayed on the stage backdrop at the event.
Congress Counterattack
MPCC President Harshwardhan Sapkal called Mahajan's statements 'highly irresponsible' and detrimental to national interest. 'By questioning Operation Blue Star — a mission undertaken to safeguard the country's unity and national security — he has effectively undermined India's fight against terrorism,' Sapkal said. He further alleged that Mahajan's remarks amounted to disrespecting the sacrifices of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and General Arun Kumar Vaidya, the Maharashtra-born officer who led the operation and was subsequently assassinated by terrorists.
The Ajit Doval Challenge
Sapkal sharpened the political attack by invoking National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who was reportedly involved in security operations linked to the 1984 mission. 'Will Girish Mahajan now condemn his role as well? Does he have the courage to demand Doval's removal from the post of National Security Advisor?' Sapkal asked, highlighting what he called a glaring contradiction in the minister's position. He also took strong exception to Mahajan reportedly comparing the Indian military action to the historical invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali.
Demands Placed on BJP Leadership
The MPCC chief called on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to publicly clarify whether Mahajan's position reflects official government policy. 'If the leadership does not align with Minister Mahajan, they must publicly condemn his remarks and tender an apology to the nation and the Indian Armed Forces,' Sapkal demanded. He further alleged that the BJP appeared willing to compromise on national security for 'vote-bank politics,' and called on Mahajan to issue an immediate apology to the country and its soldiers.
Broader Political Context
The controversy arrives at a politically sensitive moment, with the BJP and its allies navigating coalition arithmetic in Maharashtra following the 2024 assembly elections. Critics argue that Mahajan's attendance at an event associated with the glorification of Bhindranwale — whose armed movement the 1984 operation was designed to neutralise — raises questions about the state government's outreach strategy in Punjab. The Congress, for its part, is seeking to leverage the episode to position itself as the defender of the armed forces' legacy and national unity ahead of future electoral contests.
Point of View
And calling 6 June a 'black day' directly contradicts the position of the very security establishment — including NSA Ajit Doval — that the BJP government relies on for its national-security credentials. Congress's Doval gambit is tactically sharp: it forces the BJP to either defend Mahajan or distance itself from him publicly. What mainstream coverage underplays is that this is less about one minister's remarks and more about whether the BJP's Maharashtra unit made a calculated political bet on Sikh outreach that has now backfired at the national level.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Girish Mahajan say about Operation Blue Star?
Mahajan, attending the 42nd anniversary commemoration of Operation Blue Star on 6 June at Damdami Taksal in Amritsar, reportedly called the day a 'kaala din' (black day) and criticised former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for 'forcibly' ordering the Army into the Golden Temple complex. He was present as a representative of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Why is Congress demanding Mahajan's removal?
The MPCC argues that Mahajan's remarks undermined India's fight against terrorism and disrespected the sacrifices of Indira Gandhi and General Arun Kumar Vaidya, who led the 1984 operation and was later assassinated by terrorists. Congress has labelled the remarks 'anti-national' and called for his immediate ouster from the Cabinet and the BJP.
Who is General Arun Kumar Vaidya and why is he relevant?
General Arun Kumar Vaidya was the Indian Army officer who commanded Operation Blue Star in 1984 and was subsequently assassinated by Khalistani militants. MPCC President Harshwardhan Sapkal invoked his sacrifice to argue that Mahajan's remarks dishonoured a 'Maharashtra son' who gave his life for national unity.
What is the significance of the Ajit Doval reference?
Sapkal pointed out that current National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was reportedly involved in security operations linked to the 1984 mission, challenging Mahajan to condemn Doval's role as well. The reference was intended to highlight what Congress called a contradiction in Mahajan's position and to put the BJP on the defensive.
What has the Congress demanded from PM Modi and Amit Shah?
MPCC President Sapkal has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to publicly state whether they agree with Mahajan's position. He demanded that if the BJP leadership disagrees, they must publicly condemn the remarks and tender an apology to the nation and the Indian Armed Forces.
