Hinduism in Punjab - Unrest in Punjab in 1980s and 1990s

Unrest in Punjab in 1980s and 1990s

The Terrorism in Punjab before/after the Operation Bluestar and 1984 Delhi riots, had a very severe effect on Punjabi Hindus. Punjabi Hindus were open to hostility from the Sikh population. Also There were numerous instances like bombing public buses, engineering colleges (Thapar College), and killings on Hindu holidays, such as the 1987 Diwali Day Bombing, in which Hindus were specifically targeted and brutally killed. Amnesty International and other International Human Rights groups recognized and called for the Government forces to stop militant groups from committing the killings, but the guerrilla warfare conducted by militant outfits proved difficult to stop. Due to such unrest, a large population of Hindus had to migrate from Punjab to other states. The open kidnappings and killings of innocent Hindus in Punjab by Government Forces and continual bombings and extortions of Punjabi Hindus by Sikh militants caused a rift between Punjabi Hindus and Sikhs. But since the decline of Khalistan movement, both communities are again living with cordial relations.