Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

Who was Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale?

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was the leader of the Damdami Taksal and political revolutionary and is notable for his support of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. He called for a return to what is considered to be the "pure" roots of Sikhism. He advocated against the consumption of liquor, drugs and laxness in religious practices, such as the cutting of Kesh by Sikh youth. He strongly condemned the Indian constitution's Article 25 declaring minorities such as Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists as part of Hinduism.

In August 1982, Bhindranwale and the Akali Dal launched the Dharam Yudh Morcha, with its stated aims being the fulfillment of a list of demands based on the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. Thousands of people joined the movement in the hopes of acquiring a larger share of irrigation water and the return of Chandigarh to Punjab.

Bhindranwale has been noted for strongly opposing prime minister Indira Gandhi for alleged policies against Punjab during Dharam Yudh Morcha. Later that year she ordered the attack on Golden Temple, Sikhism's most sacred shrine, in Amritsar on the martyrdom day of Sikh's 5th Guru, Guru Arjan when the complex was full with innocent pilgrims.