Bhindranwale (Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale)

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was a prominent Sikh leader in India during the late 20th century. He gained fame for advocating traditional Sikh values and religious practices, and became a symbol of Sikh identity and pride. His rise coincided with tensions between the Sikh community and the Indian government over religious freedoms, the Akal Takht (a Sikh religious institution), and political issues in Punjab. In 1984, the Indian government stormed the Golden Temple—Sikhism's holiest site—leading to violence, which intensified Sikh grievances. Bhindranwale’s prominence and the military action contributed to a period of unrest and tragedy for Sikhs in India.