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In the changed political scenario, several panthic organisations and groups now stand a chance to resurface.



In the changed political scenario, several panthic organisations and groups now stand a chance to resurface. They are trying to give a new dimension to the mix of religion and politics to fill the shrinking panthic space.

Dal Khalsa: Amritsar-based Dal Khalsa, a radical Sikh organisation, was formed in 1978 and came to prominence during the time of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in 1981. It strives for a separate Punjabi-speaking sovereign Sikh state. A 10-year ban was imposed on Dal Khalsa by the Centre in 1982 following its militant activities. The ban lapsed, Dal Khalsa was revived in 1998 and continues to rally for Khalistan.

SAD (Amritsar): It is a splinter group led by two-time MP Simranjit Singh Mann. It was formed in 1994 and a six-member committee, including Mann, Capt Amarinder Singh, Col Jasmer Singh Bala (retd), Bhai Manjit Singh, Surjit Singh Barnala and Jagdev Singh Talwandi was constituted to build the structure of the new party. Later, Mann was elected president of Akali Dal (Amritsar) unanimously. At times, it also advocates formation of Khalistan.

United Akali Dal: The party was formed in November 2014 after a gathering of leaders of various Sikh organisations in Amritsar. It was formed to provide an alternative political party to the SAD(Badal)-BJP combine. Bhai Mohkam Singh was named president of the party. Leaders of the United Sikh Movement and Insaff Lehar played a leading role in setting it up. UAD leaders were the main organisers of the controversial Sarbat Khalsa held at Chabba near Amritsar in 2015.

Akhand Akali Dal 1920: This party is headed by an influential leader and former Punjab Assembly speaker Ravi Inder Singh. He, along with former Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh, and other Akali leaders had jointly made endeavours to gather on one platform to oppose SAD in the Punjab Assembly and the SGPC elections.

— Contributed by GSP

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