BBC documentary provokes furious response from Sikhs

A controversial BBC film about the Indian Army storming Golden Temple in 1984, which depicts late Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale "in a similar way to Osama Bin Laden", has provoked a furious response from many members of the community in Britain, a media report said.

A number of Sikhs have condemned the documentary, 1984: A Sikh Story, which they see as nothing but a slur on Bhindranwale, who was killed during the 'Operation Blue Star' ordered by the then Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, the Daily Mail reported.

Since his death, Bhindranwale, the controversial leader of Sikh religious group Damdami Taksal, has remained a controversial figure in Indian history. While some view him as a martyr who was fighting for the best interests of Sikhs, others see him as an extremist.

Dr Sadhu Singh, the chairman of the Council of Sikh Temples, said many viewers were angered that "the BBC showed him (Bhindranwale) looking like bin Laden".

He said, "They used pictures of him wearing a turban and holding a gun. To someone who doesn't know what Sikhism is about, it would be very misleading. Sikhs were attacked after September 11, but Sikhs are nothing to do with bin Laden.

"Some people are very upset that the documentary also showed radio presenter Sonia Deol dancing with Hindus as if there is no problem between Hindus and Sikhs. The feeling is still there that people who were responsible for 1984 have not been brought to justice."