Khalistan didn't have enough support to be a mass movement during the 80's. It was a disoriented fringe group smaller than the Maoists, Sikhs themselves lead the operation to raid and kill them, the election of Congress to power was final nail in the coffin. Despite the SAD party trying to open up old wounds. It didn't work.
As for how BJP runs, I guess it's been discussed to death on how they won and why. I can't repeat it over and over in different threads, it gets
I agree the khalistanis didnt have enough support in the 80s , i agree they dont have enough support now.
My point is that it can change if Bjp doesnt correct its direction. Doesnt have to be all black and white as in pro-bjp or anti-bjp. There are many good things about the bjp, but they need to reign in their hindutva nutjobs. India is so diverse that it can only function if its sticks to secularism.
Many sikhs had a soft support for the rss because of their role in support of the sikhs in delhi in 84. That is changing because of the rss' growing presence in punjab.
And i dont think congress coming back is a final nail in the coffin. The CMs of punjab have been changing between The akalis and the congress every now and then. I agree it doesnt look good for the akalis right now, but the dynamics of politics change fast.