85-709: Jagjit Singh Chohan (1929 – 4 April 2007) was an Indian political activist who was a leader of the Sikh Khalistan movement that sought to create a sovereign Sikh state in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. Chohan established the Council of Khalistan at Anandpur Sahib on 12 April 1980 and became its first self‐styled president. Jagjit Singh grew up in Tanda in Punjab 's Hoshiarpur district, about 180 km from Chandigarh into
170-623: A New York Times article written just a few weeks after the operation, "Before the raid on the Golden Temple, neither the Government nor anyone else appeared to put much credence in the Khalistan movement. Mr. Bhindranwale himself said many times that he was not seeking an independent country for Sikhs, merely greater autonomy for Punjab within the Indian Union.... One possible explanation advanced for
255-454: A public address system , the Army repeatedly demanded the militants to surrender, asking them to at least allow pilgrims to leave the temple premises before commencing battle. Nothing happened until 7:00 pm ( IST ). The Army, equipped with tanks and heavy artillery , had grossly underestimated the firepower possessed by the militants, who attacked with anti-tank and machine-gun fire from
340-556: A Cabinet and declared himself president of the "Republic of Khalistan," issuing symbolic Khalistan 'passports,' 'postage stamps,' and 'Khalistan dollars.' Moreover, embassies in Britain and other European countries were opened by Chohan. It is reported that, with the support of a wealthy Californian peach magnate, Chohan opened an Ecuadorian bank account to further support his operation. As well as maintaining contacts among various groups in Canada,
425-937: A Hindu-majority province. Sikh historian Harjot Singh Oberoi argues that, despite the historical linkages between Sikhs and Punjab, territory has never been a major element of Sikh self-definition. He makes the case that the attachment of Punjab with Sikhism is a recent phenomenon, stemming from the 1940s. Historically, Sikhism has been pan-Indian, with the Guru Granth Sahib (the main scripture of Sikhism) drawing from works of saints in both North and South India, while several major seats in Sikhism (e.g. Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar , and Hazur Sahib in Maharashtra ) are located outside of Punjab. Oberoi makes
510-544: A Punjabi-majority state would effectively mean yet again creating a state based on religious grounds. On 7 September 1966, the Punjab Reorganisation Act was passed in Parliament, implemented with effect beginning 1 November 1966. Accordingly, Punjab was divided into the state of Punjab and Haryana , with certain areas to Himachal Pradesh . Chandigarh was made a centrally administered Union territory . While
595-673: A Sikh Rajput family. He was a dentist. Chohan was first elected to the Punjab Assembly from the Tanda as a candidate of the Republican Party of India in 1967. He became Deputy Speaker when the Akali Dal -led coalition Government took office in Punjab. When Lachhman Singh Gill became Chief Minister, Chohan was made Finance Minister. In 1969, he lost the Assembly election. Two years after losing
680-618: A bomb blast by a member of Babbar Khalsa . The movement failed to reach its objective for multiple reasons, including violent police crackdowns on separatists, factional infighting, and disillusionment from the Sikh population. There is some support within India and the Sikh diaspora, with yearly demonstrations in protest of those killed during Operation Blue Star . In early 2018, some militant groups were arrested by police in Punjab, India. Former Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh claimed that
765-557: A community that was separate from Hindus and Muslims. The Akali Dal imagined Khalistan as a theocratic state led by the Maharaja of Patiala with the aid of a cabinet consisting of the representatives of other units. The country would include parts of present-day Punjab, India , present-day Punjab, Pakistan (including Lahore ), and the Simla Hill States . Before the 1947 partition of India , Sikhs were not in majority in any of
850-519: A majority of Sikhs, along with the Hindus, migrated from the Pakistani region to India's Punjab, which included present-day Haryana and Himachal Pradesh . The Sikh population, which had gone as high as 19.8% in some Pakistani districts in 1941, dropped to 0.1% in Pakistan, and rose sharply in the districts assigned to India. However, they would still be a minority in the Punjab province of India, which remained
935-540: A militia of their own, consisting of infantry, cavalary, and elephants. Virasat-e-Khalsa Museum campus links, particularly with the need of the population, providing business to the locals and makes the city marked on urban literature globally. Punjab Heritage Tourism Promotion Board paid to have it installed in order to attract worldwide tourism. Open spaces which are going to be used by ritual activities during ceremonies and festivals also serve as alternative parking grounds, reserved grounds for political rallies which brings
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#17328379621781020-501: A mountain of a molehill where none existed," that the agency created seven posts in West Europe and North America in 1981 to counter non-existent Khalistan activities, and that the deployed officers were "not always familiar with the Sikhs or the Punjab issue." He described the secessionist movement as a "chimera" until the army operation, after which the insurgency would start. According to
1105-412: A reference to persons professing the Sikh, Jaina , or Buddhist religion," while also implicitly recognizing Sikhism as a separate religion: "the wearing and carrying of kripans [ sic ] shall be deemed to be included in the profession of the Sikh religion." Even today, this clause is deemed offensive by many religious minorities in India due to its failure to recognise such religions separately under
1190-493: A result of Khalistani violence and riots. As negotiations held with Bhindranwale and his supporters proved unsuccessful, Indira Gandhi ordered the Indian Army to launch Operation Blue Star. Along with the Army, the operation would involve Central Reserve Police Force , Border Security Force , and Punjab Police . Army units led by Lt. Gen. Kuldip Singh Brar (a Sikh), surrounded the temple complex on 3 June 1984. Just before
1275-461: A separate Sikh state began during the 1930s, when British rule in India was nearing its end. In 1940, the first explicit call for Khalistan was made in a pamphlet titled "Khalistan". With financial and political support from the Sikh diaspora , the movement flourished in the Indian state of Punjab – which has a Sikh-majority population – continuing through the 1970s and 1980s, and reaching its zenith in
1360-511: Is also authorized to build roads within Municipal Council limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction. Villages administered by the tehsil of Anandpur Sahib include: Anandpur Sahib features a major festival and gathering of Sikhs every year on the occasion of Hola Mohalla , which is celebrated one day prior to Holi. This tradition dates back to the times of the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh . The guru decreed that
1445-511: Is of 905 against state average of 895. Moreover, Child Sex Ratio in Anandpur Sahib is around 932 compared to Punjab state average of 846. Literacy rate of Anandpur Sahib city is 82.44% higher than state average of 75.84%. In Anandpur Sahib, Male literacy is around 85.75% while female literacy rate is 78.78%. Anandpur Sahib Municipal Council has total administration over 3,270 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It
1530-527: Is the son of the assassin of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Sikhs have been concentrated in the Punjab region of South Asia . Before its conquest by the British, the region around Punjab had been ruled by the confederacy of Sikh Misls . The Misls ruled over the eastern Punjab from 1733 to 1799, until their confederacy was unified into the Sikh Empire by Maharajah Ranjit Singh from 1799 to 1849. At
1615-816: The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 . The Akalis demanded replacement of such rules with laws specific to Sikhism . Operation Blue Star was an Indian military operation ordered by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi , between 1 and 8 June 1984, to remove militant religious leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed followers from the buildings of the Harmandir Sahib complex (aka the Golden Temple) in Amritsar , Punjab – the most sacred site in Sikhism. In July 1983, Akali Dal President Harchand Singh Longowal had invited Bhindranwale to take up residence at
1700-530: The 1972 Punjab elections . To regain public appeal, the party put forward the Anandpur Sahib Resolution in 1973 to demand radical devolution of power and further autonomy to Punjab. The resolution document included both religious and political issues, asking for the recognition of Sikhism as a religion separate from Hinduism, as well as the transfer of Chandigarh and certain other areas to Punjab. It also demanded that power be radically devolved from
1785-497: The Council of Khalistan , declaring its formation at Anandpur Sahib on 12 April 1980. Chohan designated himself as President of the Council and Balbir Singh Sandhu as its Secretary General. In May 1980, Chohan travelled to London to announce the formation of Khalistan. A similar announcement was made in Amritsar by Sandhu, who released stamps and currency of Khalistan. Operating from a building termed "Khalistan House", Chohan named
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#17328379621781870-566: The INC party, responded by sealing the Delhi-Punjab border, and ordering all Sikh visitors travelling from to Delhi from Punjab to be frisked. While such measures were seen as discriminatory and humiliating by Sikhs, they proved effective as Akali Dal could only organize small and scattered protests in Delhi. Consequently, many Sikhs who did not initially support Akalis and Bhindranwale began sympathizing with
1955-519: The Khalsa ' ) in the Punjab region . The proposed boundaries of Khalistan vary between different groups; some suggest the entirety of the Sikh-majority Indian state of Punjab , while larger claims include Pakistani Punjab and other parts of North India such as Chandigarh , Haryana , and Himachal Pradesh . Shimla and Lahore have been proposed as the capital of Khalistan. The call for
2040-516: The Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), the foreign-intelligence agency of India, R&AW itself helped "build the Khalistan legend," actively participating in the planning of Operation Blue Star . While posted in Ottawa , Canada in 1976 to look into the "Khalistan problem" among the Sikh diaspora, Sidhu found "nothing amiss" during the three years he was there, stating that "Delhi was unnecessarily making
2125-466: The Singh Sabha movement , based upon older edifices that stood at their spot. There were formerly mural paintings and floral embellishments decorating the walls of Gurdwara Akal Bunga but these are no longer extant, though surviving traces of these wall paintings could be seen on the wall skirting the roof of the structure. Qila Sodhian was the last surviving remnant of a fortification in Anandpur Sahib in
2210-513: The Union Government led by Indira Gandhi agreed with the creation of Punjab state but refused to make Chandigarh as its capital and also refused to make it autonomous. The outcome of the Punjabi Suba movement failed to meet demands of its leaders. As Punjab and Haryana now shared the capital of Chandigarh, resentment was felt among Sikhs in Punjab. Adding further grievance, a canal system
2295-587: The "Republic of Khalistan", named a Cabinet, and issued symbolic Khalistan "passports", "postage stamps", and "Khalistan dollars". It is reported that with the assistance of a wealthy Californian supporter, a peach magnate, he opened an Ecuadorian bank account to support his operation. In June 1983, Bhindranwale was asked: "If Jagjit Singh Chohan attacks India with assistance from England, America, and Canada, whom will you help?" Bhindranwale hedged and did not indicate his support. On 12 June 1984, in London Chohan
2380-531: The Akali Dal and the government failed at the last moment due to disagreements regarding the transfer of areas between Punjab and Haryana. Knowing that the Games would receive extensive coverage, Akali leaders vowed to overwhelm Delhi with a flood of protestors, aiming to heighten the perception of Sikh "plight" among the international audience. A week before the Games, Bhajan Lal , Chief Minister of Haryana and member of
2465-576: The Akali Morcha. Following the conclusion of the Games, Longowal organised a convention of Sikh veterans at the Darbar Sahib . It was attended by a large number of Sikh ex-servicemen, including retd. Major General Shabeg Singh who subsequently became Bhindranwale's military advisor. Widespread murders by followers of Bhindranwale occurred in 1980s' Punjab. Armed Khalistani militants of this period described themselves as kharku . On its own,
2550-583: The Government choose not to take action. Finally, following the murder of six Hindu bus passengers in October 1983, emergency rule was imposed in Punjab, which would continue for more than a decade. The Akali Dal began more agitation in February 1984, protesting against Article 25, clause (2)(b), of the Indian Constitution , which ambiguously explains that "the reference to Hindus shall be construed as including
2635-465: The Government's raising of the Khalistan question is that it needs to take every opportunity to justify the killing in Amritsar and the invasion of the Sikhs' holiest shrine." Khushwant Singh had written that "considerable Khalistan sentiment seems to have arisen since the raid on the temple, which many Sikhs, if not most, have taken as a deep offense to their religion and their sensibilities," referring to
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2720-486: The Khalistan movement alive democratically and pointed out that he has always been against violence. After Chohan returned to India, he started a political party in 2002 named the Khalsa Raj Party and became its president. The stated aim of the political party was to continue his campaign for Khalistan. Chohan could not attract the support from the new generation of Sikhs. The Pioneer (newspaper) stated that his party
2805-522: The Khalistan movement at a London press conference, though being largely dismissed by the community as fanatical fringe without any support. Following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 , Chohan visited Pakistan as a guest of such leaders as Chaudhuri Zahoor Elahi . Visiting Nankana Sahib and several historical gurdwaras in Pakistan, Chohan utilized the opportunity to spread the notion of an independent Sikh state. Widely publicized by Pakistani press,
2890-452: The Mughals routinely. After the city was sacked in 1704, its control passed into the hands of Budh Singh, a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh. Budh Singh later handed over control of the city over to Patiala State under the reign of Ala Singh . In 1764, the descendent of Sodhi Suraj Mal (one of the sons of Guru Hargobind), Nahar Singh, purchased the city plus a fort called Manji Sahib (which
2975-586: The Punjab Assembly elections in 1969, Chohan moved to the United Kingdom to start his campaign for creation of Khalistan. In 1971, he went to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan to attempt to set up a Sikh government. Chohan was invited by Pakistani army dictator Yahya Khan and was proclaimed as a Sikh leader. Certain Sikh relics that were in Pakistan were handed down to him and taken to UK. The relics had helped Chohan to gather Sikh supporters and followers. He then visited
3060-485: The Sikh community would be formalized in March 1946, when the Sikh political party of Akali Dal passed a resolution proclaiming the natural association of Punjab and the Sikh religious community. Oberoi argues that despite having its beginnings in the early 20th century, Khalistan as a separatist movement was never a major issue until the late 1970s and 1980s when it began to militarize. There are two distinct narratives about
3145-421: The Sikh gurus or other aspects related to the history of Sikhism. The architecture of the Sikh shrines of Anandpur have commonalities in their themes but also have unique quirks and aspects to their design that do set them apart from each-other. Anandpur has been significant to the Sikh history. These historical locations now feature the following Gurdwaras: 10th Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh made five forts on
3230-529: The US, and Germany, Chohan kept in contact with the Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who was campaigning for a theocratic Sikh homeland. The globalized Sikh diaspora invested efforts and resources for Khalistan, but the Khalistan movement remained nearly invisible on the global political scene until the Operation Blue Star of June 1984. In later disclosures from former special secretary G.B.S. Sidhu of
3315-640: The United States at the invitation of his supporters among the Sikh diaspora. On 13 October 1971, he paid for an ad in the New York Times claiming an Independent Sikh state. Advertisement of Khalistan enabled him to collect millions of dollars from the Sikh diaspora . In later part of 1970s, Chohan was in touch with the Pakistani diplomatic mission in Pakistan with objective of encouraging Sikh youths to travel to Pakistan for pilgrimage and indoctrination for separatist propaganda. On 12 April 1980, he declared
3400-475: The United States at the invitation of his supporters in the Sikh diaspora , Chohan placed an advertisement in the New York Times proclaiming an independent Sikh state. Such promotion enabled him to collect millions of dollars from the diaspora, eventually leading to charges in India relating to sedition and other crimes in connection with his separatist activities. After returning to India in 1977, Chohan travelled to Britain in 1979. There, he would establish
3485-399: The armed insurgency, including Babbar Khalsa and Khalistan Commando Force , among others. In 1986, Khalistan Commando Force took responsibility for the assassination of General Arun Vaidya , in retaliation for 1984's Operation Blue Star . By the mid-1990s, the insurgency petered out, with the last major incident being the assassination of Chief Minister Beant Singh , who was killed in
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3570-471: The border of the city. The buildings to commemorate each of these were built between late 1970s and the late 1980s: As of 2011 India census , The Anandpur Sahib Municipal Council has population of 16,282 of which 8,545 are males while 7,737 are females as per report released by Census India 2011. Population of children with age of 0-6 is 1774 which is 10.90% of total population of Anandpur Sahib (M Cl). In Anandpur Sahib Municipal Council, Female Sex Ratio
3655-413: The case that Sikh leaders in the late 1930s and 1940s realized that the dominance of Muslims in Pakistan and of Hindus in India was imminent. To justify a separate Sikh state within the Punjab, Sikh leaders started to mobilize meta-commentaries and signs to argue that Punjab belonged to Sikhs and Sikhs belong to Punjab. This began the territorialization of the Sikh community. This territorialization of
3740-500: The central to state governments. The document was largely forgotten for some time after its adoption until gaining attention in the following decade. In 1982, the Akali Dal and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale joined hands to launch the Dharam Yudh Morcha in order to implement the resolution. Thousands of people joined the movement, feeling that it represented a real solution to such demands as larger shares of water for irrigation and
3825-518: The centre of the city and less height as one moves away from the city centre, central focus the enshrined centre, whose access was restricted and where Gurudwaras predominated. Anandpur Sahib is in Punjab state of India, close to the Himachal Pradesh border. It is about 31 kilometres (19 mi) north of Ropar (Rupnagar) and 29 kilometres (18 mi) south of Nangal. The gurdwaras of Anandpur are classified as historical since they are connected to
3910-477: The commencement of the operation, Lt. Gen. Brar addressed the soldiers: The action is not against the Sikhs or the Sikh religion; it is against terrorism. If there is anyone amongst them, who have strong religious sentiments or other reservations, and do not wish to take part in the operation he can opt out, and it will not be held against him. However, none of the soldiers opted out, including many "Sikh officers, junior commissioned officers and other ranks." Using
3995-525: The constitution. Members of the Akali Dal demanded that the removal of any ambiguity in the Constitution that refers to Sikhs as Hindu, as such prompts various concerns for the Sikh population, both in principle and in practice. For instance, a Sikh couple who would marry in accordance to the rites of their religion would have to register their union either under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 or
4080-843: The disputes with Ram Rai – the elder son of Guru Har Rai and other sects of Sikhism , he moved to village in Makhoval. He named it Chakk Nanaki after his mother. In 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur was tortured and beheaded for refusing to convert to Islam under the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb , a martyrdom that led Sikhs to rename the town to Anandpur and crown his son Gobind Das as per his orders (also known as Gobind Rai) as his successor and famous as Guru Gobind Singh . The village grew into town, likely dramatically state Louis E. Fenech and W. H. McLeod, as Sikhs moved near Guru Gobind Singh. The growing strength of Sikhs in Anandpur under
4165-406: The districts of pre-partition British Punjab Province other than Ludhiana (where Sikhs formed 41.6% of the population). Rather, districts in the region had a majority of either the Hindus or Muslims depending on its location in the province. British India was partitioned on a religious basis in 1947, where the Punjab province was divided between India and the newly created Pakistan. As result,
4250-439: The drastic change in community sentiments after the army attack. The Akali leaders, having planned to announce a victory for Dharam Yudh Morcha, were outraged by the changes to the agreed-upon settlement. In November 1982, Akali leader Harchand Singh Longowal announced that the party would disrupt the 9th annual Asian Games by sending groups of Akali workers to Delhi to intentionally get arrested. Following negotiations between
4335-573: The end of the Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849, the Sikh Empire was dissolved into separate princely states and the British province of Punjab . In newly conquered regions, "religio-nationalist movements emerged in response to British ' divide and rule ' administrative policies, the perceived success of Christian missionaries converting Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims, and a general belief that
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#17328379621784420-428: The extensive coverage of his remarks introduced the international community, including those in India, to the demand of Khalistan for the first time. Though lacking public support, the term Khalistan became more and more recognizable. According to Chohan, during a talk with Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan, Bhutto had proposed to make Nankana Sahib the capital of Khalistan. On 13 October 1971, visiting
4505-533: The formation of a "National Council of Khalistan", at Anandpur Sahib . He declared himself the President of the Council and Balbir Singh Sandhu as its Secretary General. In 1977, he returned to India. Chohan travelled to Britain in 1979, and established the Khalistan National Council . In May 1980, Jagjit Singh Chohan travelled to London and announced the formation of Khalistan. A similar announcement
4590-521: The headquarters of the Nihangs, opposite Gurudwara Anandgarh Sahib, and passes through the bazaar, goes to village Agampur and reaches the fort of Holgarh, the place where Guru Gobind Singh used to celebrate this fair. Thereafter, the procession heads toward the sandy bed of Charan Ganga, where demonstration of martial games including riding, tent pegging, sword-wielding, etc. are witnessed by a large number of people. Baisakhi in 1999, at Anandpur Sahib marked
4675-462: The heavily fortified Akal Takht , and who possessed Chinese-made, rocket-propelled grenade launchers with armour-piercing capabilities. After a 24-hour shootout , the army finally wrested control of the temple complex. Bhindranwale was killed in the operation, while many of his followers managed to escape. Army casualty figures counted 83 dead and 249 injured, although Rajiv Gandhi would later admit that over 700 Indian soldiers died. According to
4760-492: The intact ingredient of Indian cities together “The Interaction”. Historical sites and structures in the city have been poorly maintained and the vast majority have been destroyed. Buildings, such as forts, that are associated with the lives of the Sikh gurus have been demolished and renovated beyond recognition, including the Anandgarh Baoli. Much of this defacement involves encasing historical structures in marble. Though
4845-484: The late 17th century and early 18th century was complex and war prone because the relationship of Guru Gobind Singh with his neighbors was complex. Sometimes the hill chiefs and Guru Gobind Singh cooperated in a battle, sometimes they fought against each other, where the difficult mountainous terrain made it difficult for the Mughal to subdue everyone with force and the terrain made it easier for Pahari chieftains to rebel against
4930-405: The late 1980s. The Sikh separatist leader Jagjit Singh Chohan said that during his talks with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto , the latter affirmed his support for the Khalistan movement in retaliation for the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war , which resulted in the secession of Bangladesh from Pakistan. The separatist insurgency in Punjab started in the early 1980s. Several Khalistani groups were involved in
5015-404: The locality once was littered with various forts, these have been destroyed over the years as the city has expanded and changed. In the 1930s, a new structure was constructed over the original site and structure of Anandgarh Qila . By 1988, essentially all of the principal standing shrines of Anandpur Sahib had been reconstructed at some point in either the late 19th or early 20th centuries during
5100-420: The militants, diverging from the recommendations provided by the U.K. Military . Opponents of Gandhi also criticised the operation for its excessive use of force. Lieutenant General Brar later stated that the Government had "no other recourse" due to a "complete breakdown" of the situation: state machinery was under the militants' control, declaration of Khalistan was imminent, and Pakistan would have come into
5185-542: The occasion of the festival of Holi be the occasion for the display of the martial spirit of his people. He gave this festival of Holi the Sikh name of 'Hola Mohalla'. Each year Hola Mohalla marks the congregation of nearly 20,00,000 (2,000,000) Sikhs from all over the country for a festival of colour and gaiety. The festival, among other things, remembers the creation of Khalsa on the Baisakhi day in 1699. The fair lasts for three days. The Gurudwaras are specially decorated for
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#17328379621785270-410: The occasion. During Hola Mohalla, Anandpur Sahib wears a festive appearance and hums with activities in March. Community conferences and religious functions are also organized. On this occasion, Nihangs from all over the country gather for the celebrations. The highlight is a huge procession by the Nihangs, clad in their traditional dress and weapons, on the last day of the fair. The procession starts from
5355-462: The official estimate presented by the Indian Government, the event resulted in a combined total of 493 militant and civilian casualties, as well as the apprehension of 1592 individuals. Independent estimates say over 5,000 civilians and only 200 militants. U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague attributed high civilian casualties to the Indian Government's attempt at a full frontal assault on
5440-422: The origins of the calls for a sovereign Khalistan. One refers to the events within India itself, while the other privileges the role of the Sikh diaspora . Both of these narratives vary in the form of governance proposed for this state (e.g. theocracy vs democracy ) as well as the proposed name (i.e. Sikhistan vs Khalistan). Even the precise geographical borders of the proposed state differs among them although it
5525-602: The picture declaring its support for Khalistan. Nonetheless, the operation did not crush Khalistani militancy, as it continued. Anandpur Sahib Anandpur Sahib , also referred simply as Anandpur (lit. "city of bliss"), is a city in Rupnagar district (Ropar), on the edge of Shivalik Hills , in the Indian state of Punjab . Located near the Sutlej River , the city is one of the most sacred religious places in Sikhism , being
5610-516: The place where the last two Sikh Gurus, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh , lived. It is also the place where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699. The city is home to Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib, the third of the five Takhts in Sikhism. The city is a pilgrimage site in Sikhism. It is the venue of the largest annual Sikh gathering and festivities during the Hola Mohalla in
5695-636: The recent extremism is backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and "Khalistani sympathisers" in Canada , Italy , and the UK . Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) is currently the only pro-Khalistan party recognised by the Election Commission of India . As of 2024, two seats in the Indian Parliament are held by Amritpal Singh , an incarcerated pro-Khalistan activist, and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa , who
5780-678: The return of Chandigarh to Punjab. According to the 'events outside India' narrative, particularly after 1971, the notion of a sovereign and independent state of Khalistan began to get popularized among Sikhs in North America and Europe . One such account is provided by the Khalistan Council which had moorings in West London , where the Khalistan movement is said to have been launched in 1970. Davinder Singh Parmar migrated to London in 1954. According to Parmar, his first pro-Khalistan meeting
5865-433: The sacred temple complex, which the government would allege that Bhindranwale would later make into an armoury and headquarters for his armed uprising. Since the inception of the Dharam Yudh Morcha to the violent events leading up to Operation Blue Star, Khalistani militants had directly killed 165 Hindus and Nirankaris , as well as 39 Sikhs opposed to Bhindranwale, while a total of 410 were killed and 1,180 injured as
5950-445: The solution to the downfall among India's religious communities was a grassroots religious revival." As the British Empire began to dissolve in the 1930s, Sikhs made their first call for a Sikh homeland. When the Lahore Resolution of the Muslim League demanded Punjab be made into a Muslim state, the Akalis viewed it as an attempt to usurp a historically Sikh territory. In response, the Sikh party Shiromani Akali Dal argued for
6035-440: The spring season. Anandpur Sahib is located on National Highway 503 that links Kiratpur Sahib and Chandigarh to Nangal , Una and further Kangra, Himachal Pradesh . It is situated near the Sutlej river, the longest of the five rivers that flow through the historic crossroads region of Punjab. Anandpur Sahib was founded in June 1665 by the ninth Sikh Guru , Guru Tegh Bahadur . He previously lived in Kiratpur, but given
6120-605: The tension by accepting surrenders by the militants. Other organizations, mainly in UK and North America, continue to work for a Khalistan. The Indian government first permitted his wife to return and after he was pardoned by the Atal Bihari government, he was allowed to return to India in June 2001, after having been exiled for 21 years. The government decided to overlook his past activities. After his return, in an interview Chohan said he would keep
6205-647: The tenth Guru, after the execution of the ninth Guru, raised concerns of the neighboring Pahari rajas - the vassals of the Mughal Empire, along with the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. In 1693, Aurangzeb issued an order that banned large gatherings of Sikhs such as during the festival of Baisakhi . On the Vaisakhi day of 1699, the Guru sent out invitations across the land to distant and nearby Sikh congregations to convene at Anandpur for
6290-604: The upcoming festival. It was normal for the Guru to celebrate Vaisakhi at Anandpur with Sikh congregations annually but this time much more importance was placed on attendance than usual and more stringently. Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth in Anandpur on the day of the 1699 Vaisakhi festival after an elaborate ceremony and gathered a large armed militia. This triggered Aurangzeb and his vassal Hindu kings around Anandpur to blockade Anandpur. This led to several battles: According to Louis Fenech, Anandpur's history during
6375-540: The year 1984 (from 1 January to 3 June) saw 775 violent incidents, resulting in 298 people killed and 525 injured. Though it was common knowledge that those responsible for such bombings and murders were taking shelter in gurdwaras , the INC Government of India declared that it could not enter these places of worship, for the fear of hurting Sikh sentiments. Even as detailed reports on the open shipping of arms-laden trucks were sent to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ,
6460-560: The year 1999. Elements convening definitions of the city Anandpur Sahib are: Heterogeneous societies and discrete buildings as economic and administrative, social, institutional, political, neighborhoods and associated personnel, compacted and overlapped packing of residential and nonresidential structures, monumental core of unique buildings (for example, Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara, bus stand structure), Five Forts of city and Khalsa Heritage Museum, special characteristic features “City profile” of Anandpur Sahib that shows maximum building height at
6545-576: Was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards in revenge for Operation Blue Star . Chohan visited Punjab in 1989 and hoisted the flag of Khalistan at a gurdwara in Anandpur Sahib . Chohan's Indian passport was cancelled on 24 April 1989. India protested when he was allowed to enter USA using the canceled passport. Vancouver fundamentalists Talwinder Singh Parmar and Surjan Singh Gill were at one time aligned with Chohan. Chohan gradually softened his stance. He supported India's attempts to defuse
6630-413: Was a sovereign state (i.e. Khalistan), while its minimal position was to have an autonomous state within India. The issues raised during the Punjabi Suba movement were later used as a premise for the creation of a separate Sikh country by proponents of Khalistan. As the religious-based partition of India led to much bloodshed, the Indian government initially rejected the demand, concerned that creating
6715-511: Was a ' Letterhead organization '. Chohan withdrew himself from the public life in his later years. He died on 4 April 2007, aged 78 due to heart attack at his native village Tanda in Hoshiarpur District of Punjab. Khalistan Movement The Khalistan movement is a separatist movement seeking to create a homeland for Sikhs by establishing an ethno ‐ religious sovereign state called Khalistan ( lit. ' land of
6800-433: Was a dwelling associated with Suraj Mal). As more Sodhi families moved into the city, four Sarkars were established, with them namely being: Badi , Dusri , Tisri , and Chauthi . The Badi sarkar was the most eminent of the four yet all of them were revered by the Sikh population of the era. Each sarkar had its own associated palace that was fortified, commune, and congregation of followers. The sarkars also maintained
6885-675: Was attended by less than 20 people and he was labelled as a madman, receiving only one person's support. Parmar continued his efforts despite the lack of following, eventually raising the Khalistani flag in Birmingham in the 1970s. In 1969, two years after losing the Punjab Assembly elections, Indian politician Jagjit Singh Chohan moved to the United Kingdom to start his campaign for the creation of Khalistan. Chohan's proposal included Punjab, Himachal, Haryana, as well as some parts of Rajasthan . Parmar and Chohan met in 1970 and formally announced
6970-479: Was generally imagined to be carved out from one of various historical constructions of the Punjab. Established on 14 December 1920, Akali Dal was a Sikh political party that sought to form a government in Punjab. Following the 1947 independence of India, the Punjabi Suba movement , led by the Akali Dal, sought the creation of a province ( suba ) for Punjabi people . The Akali Dal's maximal position of demands
7055-490: Was interviewed by BBC. The interviewer asked: "Do you actually want to see the downfall of Indira Gandhi 's Government?" Chohan answered: "..within a few days you will have the news that Mrs Gandhi and her family have been beheaded. That is what Sikhs will do..". After this interview, the Thatcher government curtailed Chohan's activities. On 13 June 1984, Chohan announced a government in exile. On 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi
7140-464: Was made by Balbir Singh Sandhu, in Amritsar , who released stamps and currency of Khalistan. Operating from a building termed "Khalistan House", he remained in contact with the Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who was campaigning for a Sikh theocratic homeland. Chohan also maintained contacts among various groups in Canada, the US, and Germany. He visited Pakistan as a guest of leaders like Chaudhuri Zahoor Elahi. Chohan declared himself president of
7225-402: Was put in place over the rivers of Ravi , Beas , and Sutlej , which flowed through Punjab, in order for water to also reach Haryana and Rajasthan . As result, Punjab would only receive 23% of the water while the rest would go to the two other states. The fact that the issue would not be revisited brought on additional turmoil to Sikh resentment against Congress. The Akali Dal was defeated in
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