Subsequently, the leadership of the movement underwent a shift from the moderate Akali faction to more radical elements, ultimately culminating in an armed insurgency. These militants established their base within the revered Sikh sanctuary, the Golden Temple situated in Amritsar, which they fortified into an armed stronghold. The turning point came in June 1984 when the Government of India executed 'Operation Blue Star', a military operation carried out within the precincts of the Golden Temple.

A series of tragic events further exacerbated the complexity of the Punjab issue. On October 31, 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was tragically assassinated outside her residence by her own bodyguards, both of whom were Sikhs seeking vengeance for 'Operation Blue Star'. This shocking incident prompted violent outbursts against the Sikh community in Delhi and various parts of northern India. The violence persisted for nearly a week, causing the death of over two thousand Sikhs in the national capital, with Delhi being the worst-hit region. Additional casualties occurred in places like Kanpur, Bokaro, and Chas. This tumultuous period inflicted immense emotional and financial hardship on numerous Sikh families, resulting in the loss of many male members.

What aspect of India's political structure did the Anandpur Sahib Resolution seek to strengthen?

Federalism

The Anandpur Sahib Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism in India.

During the 1970s, a faction of the Akali party initiated a call for increased regional self-governance within the region. This sentiment was evidenced by a resolution that was ratified during their conference at Anandpur Sahib in 1973. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution firmly advocated for regional autonomy and sought to restructure the dynamic between the central government and the states in the nation. This resolution also expressed the ambitions of the Sikh qaum (community or nation) and articulated its objective as achieving the bolbala (dominance or hegemony) of the Sikhs. Essentially, the Resolution aimed to fortify the principle of federalism in India.

While the Resolution found a limited following within the Sikh populace, several years later, after the dismissal of the Akali government in 1980, the Akali Dal embarked on a movement concerning the allocation of water resources between Punjab and its neighboring states. During this period, a group of religious leaders brought up the issue of asserting an independent Sikh identity.