Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale (Punjabi: ਸੰਤ ਜਰਨੈਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਭਿੰਡਰਾਂਵਾਲ਼ੇ, born Jarnail Singh Brar (Punjabi: ਜਰਨੈਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ)) (12 February 1947) was 14th Chief of the Damdami Taksal a Sikh religious group based in India, who supported implementation of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. He called for a return to what considered to be the "pure" roots of Sikhism. He campaigned against liquor, drugs and laxness in reilgious practices (such as cutting of Kesh by the 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, or the “battle for righteousness.” Their goal was the fulfillment of the demands based on the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. Thousands of people joined the movement, as they felt that it represented a real solution to their demands such as a larger share of water for irrigation and return of Chandigarh to Punjab.

Bhindranwale, strongly opposed Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her policies against Punjab during Dharam Yudh Morcha, or the “battle for righteousness”. Later that year she ordered the attack on Golden Temple, Sikh's most sacred shrine, in Amritsar on the martyrdom day of Sikh's 5th Guru, Guru Arjan Dev ji when the complex was full with innocent pilgrims. Since his death, Bhindranwale has remained a controversial figure in Indian history. While the Sikhs' highest temporal authority Akal Takht describe him a great martyr of the Sikh Nation, who made supreme sacrifice for the sake of faith, the Indian government views him as an extremist.

Although, Bhindranwale often associated with the Khalistan movement, he neither opposed nor supported the formation of Khalistan. However, he did consider Sikhs as "a distinct nation", where nation means a community united by common history, geography and culture. In an interview, he stated that "We like to live together, we like to live in India.", but also said that if the government of India agreed to the creation of Khalistan, he would not refuse.