The All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) is a
Sikhstudent organisation and political organisation in
India.[1] AISSF was formed in 1943.[2] as the youth wing of the
Akali Dal, which is a Sikh political party in the Indian Punjab.
Origin
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.[3] The club came to be known as the Sikh Naujawan' Association, whose first president was
Harnam Singh. Although small in size and activity, the association published the Khalsa Naujawan' Magazine and sponsored work on religious and social projects. Sikh youths were an integral part of organizations such as the
Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee,
Shiromani Akali Dal and the
All India Students Federation.
After partition
On 13 September 2022 All-India Sikh Students’ Federation celebrated its 78th Foundation Day. Abiding by SAD chief
Sukhbir Badal's five-member unity committee having
Virsa Singh Valtoha, Rajinder Singh Mehta,
Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad, Amarjit Singh Chawla and Gurcharan Singh Grewal as their members, the AISSF dissolved its organisational structure. The Akal Takht
Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh had given a call to the splinter factions to join hands for the propagation of Sikhism, both politically and religiously.[4][5][6]
The 79th anniversary of the founding of the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) was marked with an event held at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha located at Guru Nanak Mission Chowk. During the event, three resolutions were adopted. The first resolution called upon the government to restrict the recruitment of individuals from outside the Punjab region for government positions within the state. Additionally, there was a demand for the transfer of management of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to Punjab. The members also addressed concerns related to the release of Sikh prisoners and measures to combat drug addiction.[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 until 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]
United Sikh Students Federation currently led by Jugraj Singh Majhail, was formed in 2019 in an effort to unite various student groups and eliminate the politics associated with current student federations. Uniquely, this faction requires its members to be students, following the original requirements of the Federation. Branches currently exist within India and the US.[12]
Sikh Students Federation (Grewal-Mann) faction led by Samarjeet Singh Mann and Gurcharan Singh Grewal as its president.[13]