KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 23-Feb-1980
A meeting convened by former Director of Health Services Dr Sohan Singh decides to step up “Khalistan” activities and collect funds for the cause. K S Grewal, Major Ujagar Singh, and Ajmer Singh among those present.
India 03-Apr-1980
Jagjit Singh Chouhan hoists a ‘Khalistani’ flag from the Gurudwara of Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib.
India 12-Apr-1980
Jagjit Singh Chouhan announces his election as the President of Council of Khalistan.
India 24-Apr-1980
Nirankari sect chief Baba Gurbachan Singh shot dead at the Nirankari headquarters in Delhi by a member of Akhand Kirtani Jatha.
India 16-Jun-1980
Balbir Singh Sandhu, self-styled Secretary General of Council of Khalistan, appoints Jagjit Singh Chouhan as the President of Khalistan, and appeals to foreign governments to recognise Khalistan..
India 04-Jul-1980
Balbir Singh Sandhu, issues a circular to all senior officers in Punjab, exhorting them to modify their working practices according to the tenets of Khalistan.
India 08-Jul-1980
Different groups of Naxals decide to extend their support and cooperation to the Khalistani Movement at a meeting convened by Jagjit Singh Sohal of CPML.
India 16-Jul-1980
Balbir Singh Sandhu, announces the formation of Khalistan government at Akal Takht, Amritsar, and asks government officials to prepare for duty on the basis of Gurbani concepts. He also declares the formation of Khalsa panchayat and Khalistan brigades in all villages and the issue of Khalistan passports. Republic Day, January 26, 1981 would be observed as “black day,”he adds..
India 18-Jul-1980
In Amritsar city, a procession led by Surinder Singh Oberoi on behalf of Khalistan brigade raises slogans in favour of Khalistan.
India 26-Aug-1980
All the leading newspapers in Jalandhar receive postal stamps bearing the insignia of Khalistan from Jagjit Singh Chouhan, operating from the UK.
India 25-Sep-1980
A three-day route march launched by Khalistani supporters, covering Attari, Jhabal, Bir Baba Budha Sahib, Tarn Taran, Sirhali, Goindwal Sahib, Khadoor Sahib, and ending at Guru Nanak Niwas in Amritsar. Pamphlets appealing to the public to prepare themselves for the creation of Khalistan distributed.
India 01-Oct-1980
10 paisa postal stamps of Khalistan state distributed by Khalsa Mukti Vahini.
Canada 04-Dec-1980
The Council of Khalistan opens an office in Toronto , Canada. It claims to have membership of around 1700 people in Canada and 400 in West Germany. Surjan Singh Gill named the in-charge of the Vancouver branch (headquarters of Council of Khalistan). Propaganda pamphlets, Khalistan Dollar currency, postage stamps, and passports circulated.
India 05-Dec-1980
In a meeting held at Guru Nanak Niwas in Amritsar, Balbir Singh Sandhu decides to organize route marches and intensify the propaganda for the creation of Khalistan. A 151-member Khalistan Council (100 from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and 51 from foreign countries), headed by Jagjit Singh Chouhan is also announced.
India 07-Dec-1980
A meeting convened by Balbir Singh Sandhu decides to woo students in favour of Khalistan. Sandhu assigned the task of establishing contact with various educational institutions by liaising with AISSF (All India Sikh Students’ Federation) and Khalistan Mukti Morcha.