All India Sikh Students Federation

All India Sikh Students Federation
President Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad [1]
Founded 13 September 1944
Ideology Sikhism
Mother party Damdami Taksal
International affiliation Sikhs For Justice
Website www.aissf.in

The All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), is a Sikh student organisation and political organisation in India.[2] Although largely political in its activities, the organisation also seeks to promote the values and heritage of Sikhism.[3]

Today, the use of word "student" in the organization's name refers to a "disciple", who follows and learns the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib. Any Individual who follow the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib and takes an oath to abide by the principles of Sikhism can become a member of AISSF, irrespective of whether an individual is a student of any educational institute or not.

History

Before the federation came into being, Sikh youths were organized into local Bhujangi Sabhas in schools and colleges across the Punjab region that promoted Sikh values, heritage and social service. The actual origin of the Sikh Student Federation can be traced back to "Khalsa clubs" established in 1888.[4] The club came to be known as the Sikh Youngmens' Association, whose first president was Bhai Harnam Singh. Although small in size and activity, the association published the Khalsa Youngmens' Magazine and sponsored work on religious and social subjects. Sikh youths were an integral part of organizations such as the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Shiromani Akali Dal and the All India Students Federation.

Foundation

The All India Sikh Students Federation was formed as a students' organisation independent and committed to the political representation of Sikhs. The motivation for a distinct organisation for Sikhs came from the heightening communal and political tensions between the Hindu and Muslim communities. In 1937, a large group of Muslim students split from the Hindu-majority All India Students Federation to form the All India Muslim Students Federation, which became the youth arm of the Muslim League and the Pakistan movement. Seeking to protect Sikh political rights and representation, organisations such as the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee sponsored the creation of the All India Sikh Students Federation in 1944. It was headquartered in Lyallpur (Faislabad, now in Pakistan) and its organisation spread across colleges and universities in Punjab and northern India. Following the partition of India in 1947, the organisation moved its headquarters to Amritsar in Indian Punjab. S. Ranbir Singh Sodhi was the co-founder member of the organisation.

After Partition

During the communal riots and mass migrations at the time of India's partition, the AISSF helped organise relief and rehabilitation camps for Hindu and Sikh refugees arriving in India from Pakistan. In independent India, the AISSF became closely linked as the youth arm of the Akali Dal. The federation would expand its organisation across India and become one of the nation's leading student political organisations. It would also help build support and lead the Sikh political demand for the establishment of a Sikh-majority state within the Indian union. As the agitation reached its peak in the mid-1960s, the federation helped organise student marches and rallies to increase pressure on the Indian government. Bhai Daljeet Singh Bittu was elected at president of SSF.

Shaheed Dr Gurnam Singh Buttar MBBS, become the convener of Sikh student federation, when Manjit Singh and other mislead movement .

Panthic committee made his appointment, his work was so much appreciated all over punjab, he was such a humble person who lead the guerrilla movement, travelling on his bicycle . Shaheed Dr Gurnam Singh Buttar of Sikh Students Federation was one of many brave Sikhs who gave up their well paid Government jobs in protest of Operation Bluestar and the atrocities being carried out on Sikhs all over Hindustan .

On the 23rd of December, at the Shaheedi Jorh Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib, where alkali leaders Parkash Singh Badal, Tohra, chandumanjra were present and Sangat not even interested in their speeches .Dr Gurnam Singh and fellow Singhs took over the Akali’s stage and presented the resolution of Khalistan to the sangat. Dr Gurnam Singh addressed the sangat, and explained why there was now the need for the creation of a Sikh homeland, Khalistan. Upon hearing Dr Gurnam Singhs speech, the entire Sikh sangat raised their hands in support of this resolution. Total 12 resolutions passed on that day . This was first and last time in history of Sikh movement where Akalis raised their hands in front of Sangat in favour of all resolutions because they were pressured by Doctor Buttar. On April 1987, at a conference held at Sri Darbar Sahib, Dr Gurnam Singh publicly resigned from his post of junior medical officer at Qadian Civil Hospital. Resigning from his government job, Dr Gurnam Singh stated that the Khalsa is now my government, and the creation of Khalistan is my occupation, and my retirement will come in the form of Martyrdom.

After Operation Blue Star in June 1984, the organization temporarily removed the words "All India" from its name, and was known as Sikh Students Federation (SSF) for some time.

Present times

Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad is the president of All India Sikhs Students Federation since 19 January 1995. The organization is aimed at demanding justice for the victims of the 1984 massacre of Sikhs, and also focuses on other issues facing the Sikh community.[5]

The Organization under the leadership of President Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad has been working for issues of punjab and defending the values of Sikhism. The Organization has recently worked on SYL Water issue for Punjab [6][7]

Bihar and Jharkhand Unit

Satnam Singh Gambhir is current president of All India Sikh Students Federation's Bihar-Jharkhand unit.[8][9]

Sikh Students Federation factions

The Sikh Students Federation formed in 1944 is now divided into various factions.

References

  1. ↑ "Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad".
  2. ↑ "RSS interfering into Sikh affairs: All India Sikh Students Federation".
  3. ↑ "All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) head Karnail Sngh Peermohammed had urged the centre and the state government to impose a ban on release of the film.".
  4. ↑ Singh, Sarup (1995). Harbans Singh, ed. The Encyclopedia of Sikhism (2nd ed.). Patiala: Punjabi University, Patiala.
  5. ↑ "All India Sikh Students Federation gives Punjab bandh call".
  6. ↑ "SYL issue: AISSF demands resolution in Assembly to challenge SC verdict".
  7. ↑ "AISSF demand Punjab Assly resolution to challenge SYL canal decision".
  8. ↑ "All India Sikh Students Federation appeals to ban 'MSG: Messenger Of God' in Jharkhand".
  9. ↑ "All India Sikh Students Federation asks Jharkhand govt to make 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' tax free".
  10. ↑ "Paramjit Singh Gazi, Harsimran Singh, youth leader Prabhjot Singh and Paramjit Singh Tanda were also present.".
  11. ↑ "The Sikh Students Federation".
  12. ↑ "About Us, SikhStudentsFederation.Net".
  13. ↑ "AISSF head Karnail Singh exuded confidence that Kejriwal will give justice to families of 1984 riot victims.".
  14. ↑ "Sikh Students Federation urges Akal Takht to summon Navjot Sidhu".
  15. ↑ "Sikh Students Federation stages protest against Dera chief".
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