Khalistan is a proposed independent state for the Sikh people, primarily in the Punjab region of India. The movement for Khalistan emerged in the 1980s, driven by demands for greater autonomy and recognition of Sikh identity. Supporters believe that a separate nation would better serve the interests and rights of Sikhs. The Khalistan movement gained international attention during the 1984 Operation Blue Star, when the Indian government sought to remove militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This operation led to significant violence and unrest, further fueling the desire for a separate Khalistani state among some Sikhs.