Posted 3/27/2024, 3:55:51 PM
Akali Dal Seeks Return to Roots After Years of Upheaval
- Shiromani Akali Dal launched major passive resistance against Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975, resulting in 40,000 arrests
- Akalis have a history of agitations for democratic rights, stemming from 1920 founding
- Watershed moment in 1996 with ideological shift to Punjabi party aligned with BJP
- Unraveling in recent years due to issues like 2015 Guru Granth Sahib sacrilege controversy
- March 2022 resolution signals return to basics, but walking the talk on issues like Sikh prisoners will be key for recovery