The Sarbat Khalsa of 1986 was convened on 26 January 1986 at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. It was called by the Damdami Taksal, which had emerged as the epicentre of the contemporary Sikh struggle following the martyrdom of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale during the June 1984 Ghallughara.
At that time, the electoral political Sikh leadership had failed to meet the expectations of the Sikh sangat in accordance with Khalsa traditions. It was unable to adapt the struggle to the realities that followed the June 1984 Ghallughara and the Sikh Genocide of 1984.
A view of the Sikh gathering at Akal Takht Sahib on 26 January 1986 Sarbat Khalsa
The Sarbat Khalsa of 1986 was therefore a historic step, as the Khalsa gathered in accordance with its long-established traditions. Although there were certain lapses in the conduct of this gathering, it was nevertheless accepted by all pro-struggle sections of the Sikh Panth at that time.
The Gurmata passed at this historic assembly reintroduced the principles of “joint leadership” and “collective decision-making.” A five-member Panthic Committee was constituted to lead the struggle, and it was also decided that a 25-member jatha/committee would be formed to oversee the governance and affairs of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
The Panthic Committee formed through this Sarbat Khalsa later announced the “Declaration of Khalistan” on 29 April 1986. It is important to note that this declaration was not made through the Gurmata passed on 26 January 1986 at the Sarbat Khalsa. However, the term “Khalistan” did appear in the Gurmata, where it was stated that if Bhai Satwant Singh, Bhai Kehar Singh, and certain other named Singhs were to attain martyrdom, they would be recognised as martyrs of Khalistan.
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of this historic Sarbat Khalsa, Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) has decided to publish this historic document, which is already available in the public domain. The document presented below is a scanned copy of the Sarbat Khalsa 1986 Gurmata, as reproduced on pages 159–166 of Panthic Dastavez (Panthic Documents), a book edited by Bhai Narain Singh Chaura and journalist Karamjit Singh.