A perilous atmosphere
In the novel Tangled in 1984, author Ajay Khanna weaves an intricate story set against the turbulent backdrop of Punjab in the 1980s during the days leading up to Operation Bluestar and its immediate aftermath, culminating in the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He narrates the story poignantly through the eyes of Chetan, a young schoolboy growing up in the district of Patiala.
Like many children, Chetan and his younger brother Vikki harbored aspirations and were familiar with Western music and movies. However, unlike their peers in other states and cities, the young duo were acutely aware of the perilous and frightening times they lived in.
Khanna vividly describes the atmosphere of the times, “Festivals had lost their luster, their meaning. No celebrations for the victory of good over evil, light over darkness… It was a strange dark spirit that engulfed everyone’s lives and isolated people from one another.” In the book, Chetan’s family, the Malhotras, were non-Sikhs, and their Diwali celebrations were subdued, devoid of lights and fireworks, which were banned due to fears of them being mistaken for bomb explosions. Such was the atmosphere leading up to 1984.
Parallels Between Orwell’s 1984 and Punjab
Khanna briefly references George Orwell’s dystopian novel, “1984,” which portrays a world under totalitarian control. The narrative underscores themes of fear, loss of freedom, and societal divisions, drawing parallels to the situation in Punjab where citizens felt oppressed and fearful, unable to enjoy their previous freedoms. Press and media faced censorship, stifling people’s ability to express truth and beliefs. What began as a religious divide escalated into a political crisis marked by curfews, killings, and bomb blasts. Travel by bus or train became perilous, preventing families from safely visiting and meeting one another.
The Impact of Operation Bluestar
“How anyone could survive Punjab in June 1984 is unfathomable. The epic of fear, insecurity, and uncertainty engulfed every Punjab resident.”
On Friday, June 1, 1984, the Indian Armed Forces entered the sacred Golden Temple in Amritsar to apprehend insurgents. The very notion of armed forces entering this holy site was seen as an unpardonable desecration and the ensuing death and bloodshed on its sacred grounds was unimaginable to Punjab’s residents. Khanna narrates how this incident left Sikhs and non-Sikhs feeling betrayed by the government, profoundly impacting both communities.
The terror and fear that followed the ten-day siege was incomprehensible. Non-Sikhs became targets of angry mobs in Punjab, and despite assurances from their Sikh landlords, the Malhotras continued to live in fear. Schools and offices closed down, phone lines were disrupted, and Punjab was placed under curfew to quell further unrest. The army began facing public outrage and anger in Punjab.
Assassination and its aftermath
“The assassination of India’s Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, by her bodyguards shocked the nation, igniting a wave of tension and fear. The news plunged the country into mourning, but a pot of vitriol was brewing beneath the surface.”
The assassination of Indira Gandhi cast a pall of gloom over the nation, sparking riots, looting, and the targeted killing of Sikh families in Delhi and across India. Thousands of Sikhs lost their lives in the aftermath, and many were twice displaced, seeking refuge in Punjab for safety. Balbir Singh, a family friend of the Malhotras, for instance, had settled in Delhi with his own family after fleeing Pakistan during the partition of India in 1947, and arriving as refugees to rebuild their lives from scratch. Despite having lost everything once in Pakistan, they managed to establish a home and a business in Delhi, only to face devastation and displacement again. In just over three decades, they were forced to flee Delhi, abandoning their home and business, and relocating to Patiala, Punjab. Many families like theirs lived through the traumas of both 1947 and 1984.
Impact of Childhood Trauma
Chetan’s story unfolds in flashbacks where he reflects on his upbringing in the 1980s. The everyday joys of meeting friends, going out to movies, and dining at restaurants became distant memories for his housebound mother, while his father worked and Chetan and his brother attended school. His mother’s fear, frustration, and claustrophobia led to outbursts directed at the family, often resulting in Chetan facing both physical and verbal abuse. The constant anxiety of staying safe and trying to be perfect to avoid his mother’s wrath caused Chetan to develop panic attacks in his youth, which persisted into his adult life. Disturbances such as gunfire, crowds gathering, or protests triggered intense dread and trepidation in him.
A turbulent year
1984 was a tumultuous year for India, particularly for Punjab, marked by Operation Blue Star in June, the assassination of the Prime Minister in October, and the rioting and unrest that followed in November, culminating in the Bhopal gas tragedy in December. Khanna’s work serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and enduring spirit of those who faced unimaginable challenges during this dark chapter of Indian history, capturing both the personal turmoil and the broader societal upheaval with sensitivity and depth. Tied up in the story are also glimpses of pro-Khalistan activities seen in the SF Bay Area in recent years.
While the narrative centers on fictional characters, “Tangled in 1984” is rooted in real-life events, offering a compelling glimpse into the impact of the times on individuals and communities.
Available on Kindle & Paperback Edition on Amazon
