Khalistan Movement: Origin, Impact and Current Status - UPSC Notes | Testbook.com

Understanding the Khalistan Movement

The Khalistan movement represents the aspirations of a section of Sikhs for a separate homeland. They demand the creation of a sovereign state, named Khalistan (The land of the pure), in the present-day Punjab region, which spans across India and Pakistan.

• The movement, although suppressed in India following Operation Blue Star (1984) and Operation Black Thunder (1986 & 1988), continues to find support among various sections of the Sikh population, especially among the Sikh diaspora in countries like Canada, Australia, and the U.K.
• Despite the crackdown, the movement has managed to survive in various forms, in different regions, and among diverse populations.

Tracing the Origins of the Khalistan Movement

The partition of India in 1947 led to a massive reorganisation of Punjab’s territorial boundaries.

• Lahore, the capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Sikh Empire, along with important Sikh sites like Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, fell under Pakistan’s territory post-partition.
• Sikhs, who constitute about 2% of the total Indian population, found themselves in the minority.
• In 1952, following India’s first general elections, the Akali Dal issued a memorandum pressing for a culturally congruent Punjabi Speaking Suba. The States Reorganisation Commission rejected the demand in its 1955 report, but in 1966, the state of Punjab was reorganised to reflect the Punjabi Suba demand.
• The 1966 Punjab State Reorganisation Bill led to the trisection of Punjab into Punjabi-speaking, Sikh majority Punjab (54% Sikh and 44% Hindus), the Hindi-speaking south forming the state of Haryana, and the Hindi-speaking northern region merging with neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.

The Anandpur Sahib Resolution

In 1973, the Akali Dal convened a meeting at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab (the birthplace of the Khalsa). Here, they adopted a resolution containing both political and religious demands, known as the ‘Anandpur Sahib Resolution.’

• The resolution called for autonomy for the state of Punjab, identified regions that would be part of a separate state, and sought the right to frame its own internal constitution.

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale: The Charismatic Leader

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale emerged as a charismatic leader who positioned himself as the 'authentic voice' of the Sikhs.

• Bhindranwale became the head of Damdami Taksal in 1977. His popularity surged following the Nirankari Sikh clash on April 13, 1978, in which 13 Sikhs were killed in Amritsar.
• By the 1980s, Bhindranwale's influence had grown to such an extent that he began to pose a significant challenge to the government. He had a massive following, especially among the youth.
• In 1982, Bhindranwale was part of the 'Dharam Yudh Morcha' launched by Shiromani Akali Dal, led by Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. The Morcha sought to implement the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, a document calling for greater autonomy for the state within the Union of India. Bhindranwale set up a base inside the Golden Temple complex, complete with ammunition and his followers.
• Amidst escalating religious polarisation and sectarian violence, Indira Gandhi’s government declared the movement as secessionist.

Operation Blue Star: A Turning Point

Operation Blue Star was an Indian army operation launched to evict separatists hidden inside the Golden Temple at Amritsar.

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