Anandpur Sahib Resolution
Policy and Programme of The Shiromani Akali Dal adopted at Sri Anandpur Sahib on October 16-17, 1973

In thread form.

Full 16 page document here:
http://www.panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/downloadPdf.jsp?file=PL-000811.pdf&docid=40856

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A) Principles
i. The Shiromani Akali Dal is the supreme body of the Sikh Panth and as such is fully authorised to represent and lead them. The basis of this organisation depend on mutual relations, aspirations of man and his relations with the creator.

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ii. These principles are embodied in the doctrines of Guru Nanak Dev, viz, Nam Japo (God Worship), Kirat Karo (Do hard labour) and Wand Chhako (share your hard earnings with others).

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B) Aims
The Shiromani Akali Dal shall strive for the fulfilment of following aims:
i. Propagation of Religion and Sikh tenets and condemnation of atheism;

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ii. Maintaining the realisation of Panth's independent entity and creation of such an environment where Sikh sentiment can find its full expression

iii. Eradication of poverty and hunger through an equitable economic structure - increase in wealth and end of all exploitation

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iv. Removal of illiteracy, untouchability and casteism as laid down in Sikh scriptures;

v. Ending ill-health and sickness - condemnation of intoxicants - so that the community is inspired to protect the Nation.

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Part I

The Shiromani Akali Dal considers it a primary task to inculcate a sense of Divinity among the Sikhs so that they are proud of being the same. In order to accomplish the same, the Akali Dal will initiate the following programme:

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a) Preaching the one-ness of God, worship, belief in the Ten Gurus and the Holy Granth, and information about the doctrines explained by them for implementation by the Sikhs;

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b) For the successful preaching of Sikh Divinity, philosophy, tenets, kirtan etc production of good preachers, singers, Dhadis & poets from Sikh Missionary Colleges so that preachers are able to propagate freely in India & abroad, villages & cities, schools & colleges etc;

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c) The work of the Amrit Parchar (Baptism) to be undertaken at a larger scale, particularly among the school & colleges. Study circles of college professors & students to be organised for this purpose;

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d) Revival of Daswandh (donation of 1/10th of income) among the Sikhs;

e) Respect and honour the Sikh historians, intellectuals, writers, Parcharaks, Granthis etc. and provide facilities to raise the standard of their life, training and work;

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f) In order to streamline the Gurdwara administration, arrangements to be made for the training of employees, maintenance of Gurdwara buildings and issuing of necessary directives to the S.G.P.C members in this behalf;

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g) Correct printing of the scriptures, research of old and new Sikh History, translation of scriptures and preparation of clean literature of Sikh principles.

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h) Strive for the enactment of new All India Gurdwara Act under which all gurdwaras in the country are managed efficiently and endeavour that old institutions of the Sikhs like Udasis, Nirmale etc. become an integral part of the Sikh society;

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i) The Managers of all Gurdwaras in the world to be woven in a single chain in order to have effective benefits of the common means of religious propaganda

j) To secure "Open Darshan" of Sri Nankana Sahib and other Gurdwaras which have been snatched away from the panth.

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Part II

Political
The panthic political aim is definitely based on the directives of the Tenth Guru, which is engraved on the pages of Sikh History and is in the mind of the Khalsa Panth - Its aim is, Khalsa Ji Ka Bol Bala.

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To this and in view, the Shiromani Akali Dal will strive and wage struggles for the following:

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1. a) The areas which have been taken away from Punjab or have been intentionally kept apart e.g. Dalhouise from district Gurdaspur; Chandigarh; Pinjore, Kalka & Ambala Cityin district Ambala; whole Una Tehsil of Hoshiarpur district, "Desh" ilaqa of Nalagarh, Shahabad block

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of district Karnal, Sub Tehsils of Guhla & Tohana, Rattia Block of district Hissay & Sirsa Tehsil, 6 Tehsils of district Ganaganagar of Rajasthan and the contiguous Punjabi-speaking Sikh-populated areas, should be immediately merged with Punjab under one administrative unit

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b) In this new Punjab, the Central intervention should be restricted to Defence, Foreign Affairs, Post and Telegraphs, Currency and Railways. The rest of the departments should be under the direct control of Punjab;

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c) Effective arrangements should be mae to safeguard the interest of the minority Sikh community living outside Punjab, so that they do not fall a prey to any discrimination;

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2. Shiromani Akali Dal will also try that the Indian Constitution becomes Federal in the real sense and all states are equally represented at the Centre.

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3. The Shiromani Akali Dal feels that the foreign policy of the Congress Government is useless and harmful for the country and the Nation as a whole. It will strive for good relations with all neighbouring countries, particularly where the Sikhs reside...

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...or where their religious shrines are found. Our foreign policy should not be tagged along with any other country.

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4. To ensure justice for Sikh employees at the Centre and States and to raise effective voice against injustive, meted out to them, is an important part of the Shiromani Akali Dal's programme. Particularly in the Defense Services, efforts will be made to maintain the...

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...conventions of the Sikhs and the demands of Sikh soldiers would be constantly kept in vie. Shiromani Akali Dal will also try that the "Kirpan" (sword) becomes an integral part of the Sikh soldiers' uniform;

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5. Creation of favourable atmosphere for the rehabilitation of ex-serviceman, provision of necessary concessions and safe-guards for their rights so that they live a life of self-respect.

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6. The Shiromani Akali Dal feels that every man or woman, who has not been sentenced by a Court of law, should be allowed to keep a fire-arm without license;
7. The Shiromani Akali Dal favours a policy of prohibition and ban on smoking at public places.

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Economic Policy and Programme of Shiromani Akali Dal as Approved by the Working Committee in its Meeting Held at Shri Anandpur Sahib, on 17th October, 1973

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2. Agrarian Sector
In the agrarian sector, the country has witnessed a series of land reforms on one hand & on the other hand a new phase of green revolution. The Akali Dal is pledged to stipulate the green revolution on one hand & to ensure that increase in Agricultural...

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...production leads to the improvement in the standard of living of all sections of the rural population, particularly the middle peasants and porr and landless population. To achieve this end The Akali Dal proposes to take in the coming period following measures:

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a) Initiate land reform measures to remove disparity and to increase Agricultural production. [See attached image for full policy point]

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b) The Akali Dal will also strive for the modernisation of agriculture so that the middle, small and poor peasants too can benefit from cheap inputs like electricity, water, seeds, fertilizers and credit through co-operatives and other public Agencies.

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c) The Akali Dal shall strive that agricultural prices are fixed on the basis of the cost of production of the average farmer. Prices should be delcared well in advance of the sowing period. State Goverment shall have the authority to fix the price.

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d) The Akali Dal stands for complete state Trading in food-grains and steps would be taken to facilitate take-over of wholesale trade in foodgrains and other agricultural produce by the State Government and Government Agencies.

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e) The Akali Dal is against all type of food Zones and restrictions placed on teh Movement of Agriculture produce in the Country. The whole country be treated as a single Food Zone.

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f) Special efforts will be made to complete Thein Dam and Bathinda Thermal Plant, so that irrigation facilities and Electricity is augmented in the State and ultimately made more cheap. A concerted effort shall be made to set up an atomic electricity plant.

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g) Service co-operatives should be built up in rural areas and special attention should be paid to development of minor irrigation projects in those districts where canal irrigation is not available.

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Industry
The Akali Dal demands that all basic industries should be brought under the public sector. The Akali Dal wants that all consumer industries dealing with essential commodites be nationalised so as to keep the price level under control and to end the exploitation...

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Fiscal Policy
The Akali Dal demands the review of the whole taxation structures in such a manner so that incentives for tax evasion and black money are totally eradicated. The Akali Dal stands for such taxation system whose incidence of the tax would be direct and could...

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...not be transmitted to general mass of the people. The present taxation simply penalise the porr and provides big loop-holes to the rich. The Akali Dal stands for demonitisation of the currency in order to destroy the parallel black money economy in the country.

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4. Workers Middle Class Employees & Agricultural Workers
The Akali Dal would strive for:

a) need based minimum wage for the industrial workers,
b) Continued improvement in the standard of living of the Government employees.

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c) minimum wages for agricultural workers to be reviewed and if necessary, increased;
d) plug loop holes in the existing labour Legislation to ensure decent living conditions for the workers.

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e) execute urgent measures for increasing housing accomodation, both in the urban and rural areas, for the lowest running of the Society.

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5. Unemployment

The Akali Dal stands for total employment in the country. To start with, it feels, it is the duty of the Government to provide jobs immediately, at least to all the educated and skilled people. Till the Jobs are not provided, unemployment allowance...

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6. Scheduled Castes and Weaker Section of Society

Akali Dal will strive to raise the economic standard of the Scheduled Castes and other Weaker Sections of Society by providing them educational facilities, employment and other concessions...

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...so as to bring them at par with the advanced sections of society. These classes will be provided foodgrains at subsidised rates.

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Preamble by Baldev Singh Bal:

Anandpur Sahib

Anandpur Sahib - the birth place of the Khalsa is situated at the foothills of the Shivalaks in Ropar district of Punjab. This city was founded in 1665 by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Nanak, who was martyred by the Mughal...

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Foreword by Harchand Singh Longowal

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Assurances:

"The Congress assures the Sikhs that no Resolution in any future constitution will be acceptable to the Congress that does not give them full satisfaction."

A Resolution adopted at the
Lahore Session of Indian National Congress in 1929

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"Sardar Madhusudan Singh has asked me for an assurance that the Congress would do nothing that might alienate sympathies of the Sikhs form the Congress. Well, the Congress in its Lahore..."

Assurance by Mahatma Gandhi
at Gurudwara Sis Ganj, Delhi
on 16th March, 1931

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"The brave Sikhs of Punjab are entitled to special consideration. I see nothing wrong in an area and a set-up in the North wherein the Sikhs can also experience the glow of freedom."

Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru
Press Conference at Calutta,
on 6th July, 1946

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Resolution at the 18th All India Akali Conference held at Ludhiana on 28-29 Oct. 1978

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Statement by Indian Council for Sikhs Affairs

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