Insurgency in the Punjab: Khalistan Movement

Insurgency in Punjab, in late 1970s, was the consequence of venal politics between the two main political parties in the state, the Akali Dal Party and Congress Party. They indulged in the vote bank politics and failed to notice that Sikh militants were occupying the void created by them. Both party played the communal card and projected the Sikh extremism as their political ideology. However, in this power struggle they lost the way and extremists were soon on the driving seat. Origin of the Insurgency The seed of the insurgency was sown during Sikh Nationalism that predates the partition of Punjab after India's independence in 1947. But it was not the primary cause of insurgency. Insurgency in the Punjab was the result of power struggle between two main political parties. The ideology and agendas used in this power struggle provided a way for extremists to acquire the political space. The tussle for power took a religious turn as the Akali Dal decided to play the