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Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale (Punjabi: ਜਰਨੈਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਭਿੰਡਰਾਂਵਾਲੇ [dʒəɾnɛl sɪ́ŋɡ pɪ̀ɳɖɾɑ̃ʋɑɭe], born Jarnail Singh brar (Punjabi: ਜਰਨੈਲ ਸਿੰਘ)) (2 June 1947 – 6 June 1984) was the leader of the Damdami Taksal (a Sikh religious group) and political revolutionary and is notable for his support of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. He called for a return to what is considered to be the "pure" roots of Sikhism. He advocated against the consumption of liquor, drugs and laxness in religious practices, such as the cutting of Kesh by 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 (battle for righteousness), with its stated aims being the fulfillment of a list of demands based on the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. Thousands of people joined the movement in the hopes of acquiring a larger share of irrigation water and the return of Chandigarh to Punjab.Bhindranwale has been noted for strongly opposing prime minister Indira Gandhi for alleged policies against Punjab during Dharam Yudh Morcha (battle for righteousness). Later that year she ordered the attack on Golden Temple, Sikhism's most sacred shrine, in Amritsar on the martyrdom day of Sikh's 5th Guru, Guru Arjan 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 has often been associated with the Khalistan movement, he neither opposed nor supported the formation of Khalistan: in an interview, he stated that "we like to live together, we like to live in India", but did not object to the state's hypothetical creation. However, he did consider Sikhs as "a distinct nation".