All India Sikh Students Federation

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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 there 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

As of 2015, 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]

Bihar and Jharkhand Unit

Satnam Singh Gambhir is current president of All India Sikh Students Federation's Bihar-Jharkhand unit.[6][7]

Sikh Students Federation factions

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

  • Sikh Students Federation led by Parmjeet Singh Gazi.[8] It was reorganized in 2001 and Sewak Singh, a Student from Punjabi University was elected as President. After Sewak Singh, Mandhir Singh headed the organization till 2007 January. Later Parmjeet Singh alias Gazi, a student of higher studies in Law at Punjabi University Patiala, became the President of the organization.[9][10]
  • All India Sikh Students Federation led by Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad.[11]
  • Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) faction led by Paramjit Singh Khalsa as its President.[12]
  • Sikh Students Federation (Grewal) faction led by Gurcharan Singh Grewal as its President.[13]

References

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External links

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