1978 Sikh-Nirankari clash

A violent incident occurred between the Sant Nirankari Mission and traditional Sikhs on 13 April 1978 at Amritsar, Punjab, India. Sixteen people—thirteen traditional Sikhs and three Nirankari followers—were killed in the ensuing violence started by armed Nirankaris firing on Sikh protesters. Clashes occurred when some Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Damdami Taksal members led by Fauja Singh protested against and tried to stop a convention of Sant Nirankari Mission followers. This incident is considered to be a starting point in the events leading to Operation Blue Star and the 1980s insurgency in Punjab.

Nirankari, a movement within Sikhism, started in the 19th century. Their belief in a living guru as opposed to the scriptural guru Guru Granth Sahib resulted in their difference with traditional Sikhs. In 1929, a break-way faction Sant Nirankari was formed by Avtar Singh. Sant Nirankari also adopted many variations from Sikhs. They were further accused by Sikhs of criticizing Sikhism and its Gurus using texts such as Avtar Bani and Yug Purash. These tensions lead to their clashes with Sikh organizations mainly Damdami Taksal and Akhand Kirtni Jatha at many places in Punjab.

On 13 April 1978 Sant Nirankaris organized a convention in Amritsar to be headed by their leader Gurbachan Singh. Damdami Taksal and Akhand Kirtni Jatha perceived this event as an insult to Sikhism as 13 April is celebrated by Sikhs as the birth of Khalsa. A group of Sikhs led by Fauja Singh marched from Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) to the venue to prevent the Nirankari convention. In the ensuing violence 11 members of Akhand Kirtni Jatha including Fauja Singh, 2 followers of Bhindranwale and 3 Nirankaris, total 16 people were killed.

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