Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was a prominent Sikh leader in Punjab, India, known for advocating the protection of Sikh religious practices and identity during the late 20th century. He emerged as a spiritual and political figure, emphasizing adherence to Sikh traditions and opposing cultural and political influences seen as threats to Sikh autonomy. His activism heightened tensions between Sikhs and the Indian government, culminating in a military operation at the Akal Takht in 1984. Bhindranwale remains a polarizing figure—viewed by supporters as a defender of Sikh rights and by critics as a catalyst for violence and conflict in Punjab.