1) Khalistan and Sikhs a Distinct Nation – In March of 1981, at the Sikh Education Conference in Chandigarh, Sikhs were declared a distinct nation. On April 16th 1981 Chief of the Khalsa Diwan asserted that Sikhs were, and would remain, an inseparable part of Bharat. Later on the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) would pass a resolution that Sikhs are a nation.
2) Holy City Status for Amritsar – In May of 1981, the All India Sikh Students Federation demanded that tobacco and other intoxicants be banned from Amritsar by the end of May. On May 28th the Arya Samaj and other Hindu organizations led a huge procession in Amritsar to demand that not only tobacco but also alcohol and meat should be banned in Amritsar. On May 31st Sant Jee [Bhindranwale] led a procession which clashed with police, and nearly a dozen people were killed.
3) Lala Jagat Narain is Killed – On Sept 9, 1981, Jagat Narain a supporter of the Nirankaris was killed. He had been present in 1978 at the clash on Vaisakhi day. He gave testimony in favor of the Nirankaris at their trial. He was constantly attacking Sant Jee [Bhindranwale] and Sikhi in his newspapers. Sant Jarnail Singh was considered a suspect, just like he had been after Gurbachan Singh had been killed. On Sept 20 Sant Jee gave himself up for arrest. Police opened fire and began shooting at Sikhs, and 11 people were killed. On October 15th Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwalae was released unconditionally. Giani Zail Singh the President of India had declared the innocence of Sant Jee both times .
4) Nirankari Letter to Akal Takht – On December 13, 1981, Hardev Singh the Guru of Nirankaris addressed a letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar, writing that the Nirankaris had deep respect for the Sikh Gurus, and they had never disrespected the traditions of Sikhi.They believed in Sri Guru Granth Shaib as a revelation from God. He wrote that he would remove any questionable compositions from the “Avtar Bani” and Yug Pursh”. The plea was rejected by the Akal Takht Jathedar, the wounds of Vaisakhi 1978 were still fresh in the minds of many Sikhs.
5) Anandpur Sahib Resolution – In July of 1981, Harchand Singh Longowal presided over a World Sikh Convention to plan a Dharm Yudh Morcha to pursue the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. On September 21st, the Akalis presented a list of 45 grievances to (former) Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In October a memorandum listing 15 demands was presented to Indira Gandhi. The first meeting was held in New Delhi on October 16th, and the second on November 26th. Sikhs felt that Indira Gandhi had already made up her mind about the issues, and that it was a waste of time even talking to her.
References:
The Sikhs of Punjab By J.S. Grewal
The Gallant Defender By A.R. Darshi
