Timeline
1921
Gurdwara Tarn Taran Sahib
The Gurdwara Tarn Taran Sahib Massacre took place on 26 January 1921. Bhai Hajara Singh Aladin (Tarn Taran) was the first martyr of the Shiromani Akali Dal, who attained martyrdom in the Tarn Taran incident.
1922
The Keys Morcha
The ‘Keys Morcha’ was won on 19 January 1922, when the district judge handed over the bag of keys to Baba Kharak Singh at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The ‘Guru Ka Bagh Morcha’ began on 8 August 1922.
1923
Shiromani Akali Dal
On 12 October 1923, the British government declared the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee as unlawful organizations.
1924
Sri Akal Takht Sahib
In February 1924, under the leadership of Jathedar Udham Singh Warpal, a jatha of 500 Sikhs departed from Sri Akal Takht Sahib for Gangsar Jaito.
The Saka (Massacre) at Gurdwara Sri Gangsar took place on 21 February 1924.
1926
Master Tara Singh Ji
After the martyrdom of Teja Singh Samundri, Master Tara Singh was elected as the leader of the Akali Dal on 17 July 1926, while still in Lahore Jail.
1930
Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib
On 6 May 1930, during the Civil Disobedience Movement, the police opened fire continuously for 50 minutes at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi, injuring 36 people, and 383 bullet marks were found on the Gurdwara Sahib building.
1931
Shiromani Akali Dal
On 13 December 1931, the Shiromani Akali Dal organized the Daska Movement.
1935
Sardar Seva Singh Thikriwala
While imprisoned in Patiala Jail, Sardar Seva Singh Thikriwala attained martyrdom on 20 January 1935 after a nine-month hunger strike.
1940
Shiromani Akali Dal
On 10–11 February 1940, the Shiromani Akali Dal organized the first All-India Conference at Attari, during which the Akal Regiment was formed.
1944
Shiromani Akali Dal
On 26 November 1944, the Shiromani Akali Dal celebrated its 24th Foundation Day at Jandiala, District Jalandhar.
1947
Shiromani Akali Dal
The President of Shiromani Akali Dal, Babu Labh Singh, attained martyrdom on 9 March 1947 at Jalandhar.
1949
Shiromani Akali Dal
On 19 January 1949, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Master Tara Singh was arrested from Narela Station while he was on his way to attend a conference being held at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, Delhi, on 20 February. This was Master Tara Singh’s first arrest after India’s independence.
1955
Punjabi Suba
The Punjabi Suba Zindabad movement was launched on 10 May 1955 and continued until 12 July 1955. During this march, around 12,000 Akalis courted arrest.
1960
Shiromani Akali Dal
On 12 June 1960, during a protest march organized by the Shiromani Akali Dal in Delhi, police firing resulted in the martyrdom of seven Akali workers.
Later, on 9 October 1960, four Akali Sikhs were martyred when the police opened fire on them inside Bathinda Jail.
1966
Present-day Punjab
The present-day state of Punjab came into existence on 1 November 1966
1968
Akali Conference
Under the leadership of Sant Fateh Singh Ji, the 16th All-India Conference was organized at Batala on 28 September 1968.
1973
Anandpur Sahib
The Anandpur Sahib Resolution was drafted between 16 and 17 October 1973.
1975
Shiromani Akali Dal
From 9 July 1975 to 18 January 1977, the Shiromani Akali Dal continuously and resolutely opposed the Emergency in the form of a protest march that lasted 19 months. During this struggle, two Akali Sikhs attained martyrdom in jail, and 43,000 Sikhs were arrested. Initially, the march was led by Jathedar Sohan Singh Toor, and later, it was led by Sant Harchand Singh Longowal.
1978
All-India Akali Conference
Under the leadership of Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi, the Shiromani Akali Dal organized the 18th All-India Akali Conference at Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Ludhiana, on 28 and 29 October 1978.
1982
Shiromani Akali Dal
The Shiromani Akali Dal launched the ‘Dharam Yudh Morcha’ on 4 August 1982. The Morcha continued until June 1984, and by May 1983, the police had arrested 105,000 Sikhs. The leader of this Morcha was Sant Harchand Singh Longowal.
1985
Sant Harchand Singh Longowal
In July 1985, an agreement was reached between Sant Harchand Singh Longowal and the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, known as the Punjab Accord.
2008
S. Sukhbir Singh Badal
S. Sukhbir Singh Badal was unanimously elected as the President of Shiromani Akali Dal on 31 January 2008, becoming the 21st president of the party.
2011
Shiromani Akali Dal
On 19 December 2011, under the leadership of S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Shiromani Akali Dal organized a massive rally at Moga.
2012
Shiromani Akali Dal
In 2012, the Shiromani Akali Dal formed the government in Punjab for the second consecutive term, and Sardar Parkash Singh Badal became the Chief Minister for the fifth time.
The Shiromani Akali Dal is now regarded not just as a representative of Sikhs, but as a party representing all Punjabis.
