India: The women's wing of the Akali Dal (Mann/Amritsar)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IND31808.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: The women's wing of the Akali Dal (Mann/Amritsar), 1 April 1999, IND31808.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad08e.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No reports specific to the women's wing of the Akali Dal (Mann/Amritsar) could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
The women's wing of the Akali Dal is called "Istri Akali Dal" (The Hindu 30 Nov. 1998; AP 5 Feb. 1989).
On 16 July 1984, 88 Sikhs, of whom 74 were women, wielding swords were arrested by police during their "suicide march" to the Golden Temple in Amritsar following the breakdown in talks between the government and Sikh leaders on the withdrawal of the troops from the Golden Temple (UPI 16 July 1984). A "showdown" with the troops occupying the holy site was thus averted (ibid.). Rajinder Kaur, head of the women's wing of the Akali Dal was amongst those arrested (ibid.).
In October 1984 UPI referred to Binashi Kaur as president of the women's wing of the Akali Dal (31 Oct. 1984).
In March 1987 Manjit Kaur, head of the women's wing of the Akali Dal for Bhatinda was killed in her home, allegedly by Sikh extremists (Reuters 28 Mar. 1987).
In late September 1987 police and paramilitary troops raided the complex around the Golden Temple, including offices of the Sikh Temple Management Committee, a pilgrim hostel and the "women's wing of the Sikh Akali Dal Party," and arrested 24 suspected Sikh militants (AP 23 Sept. 1987).
In February 1989 Rajender Kaur, president of the Istri Akali Dal, was killed by suspected Sikh militants after making a speech in Bhatinda that called for an end to the violence in Punjab (AP 5 Feb. 1989; Chicago Tribune 6 Feb. 1989).
In late November 1998 Amrik Singh Aliwal, the former president of the Youth Wing of the Akali Dal who resigned that month, stated that in the nine years of his presidency, the Youth Wing had remained united, whereas the Istri Akali Dal and AISSF had split into four factions each (The Hindu 30 Nov. 1998).
Additional references to the women's wing of the Akali Dal could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
The Associated Press (AP). 5 February 1989. AM Cycle. "Sikh Politician and Associate Killed in Punjab." (NEXIS)
_____. 23 September 1987. AM Cycle. "Raid on Golden Temple Complex Nets 24 Suspected Extremists." (NEXIS)
Chicago Tribune. 6 February 1989. Final. "Politician Slain After Speech Denouncing Sikh Militants." (NEXIS)
The Hindu [Chennai/Madras]. 30 November 1998. "India-Youth SAD Chief Raises Banner of Revolt." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 28 March 1987. PM Cycle. "Three Killed in Sikh Extremist Violence in Punjab." (NEXIS)
United Press International (UPI). 31 October 1984. BC Cycle. Paul Wedel. "The Sikhs-India's Troubled Religious Minority." (NEXIS)
_____. 16 July 1984. PM Cycle. S.G. Roy. "About 90 sword-wielding Sikhs in a "suicide march" to their holiest shrine..." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley. 1996. Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants.
Pettigrew, Joyce J.M. 1995. The Sikhs of the Punjab: Unheard Voices of State and Guerrilla Violence.
Political Handbook of the World 1998. 1998.
Political Parties of Asia and the Pacific. 1985.
Singh, Khushwant. 1966. History of the Sikhs: Volume 2: 1839-1964.
World Encyclopedia of Political Systems and Parties. 1987.
Electronic sources: Internet, IRB Databases, WNC.