Why did the Anandpur Sahib Resolution become controversial?

Anandpur Sahib Resolution was passed at the conference of Akali Dal at Anandpur Sahib in 1973: 

(а) To ascertain regional autonomy and to redefine center-state relations. 

(b) Sikhs aspirations aimed at ‘bolbala’ (dominance) of Sikhs. 

(c) It could also be interpreted as a plea for separate Sikh nation despite federal spirit. 

But, it became controversial due to the following reasons: 

1. Due to lack of popularity of Akali Dal resolution had a United appeal. 

2. The alkali government was dismissed in the 1980s it lost its importance. 

3. Akali Dal launched a movement on the distribution of water between Punjab and its neighboring states. 

4. The movement went into the hands of extremist elements from moderate Akalis and converted into armed insurgency for which Anandpur Sahib Resolution considered responsible.

In the 1970s, a section of the Akali Dal, demanded greater autonomy for Punjab. They passed a resolution for political freedom in 1973 during the Conference conducted at Anandpur Sahib. This resolution summed up the policies, principles and schemes of the Akali Dal. It became controversial because it was written in Gurumukhi script. The resolution was not clear. Some words were ambiguous, capable of being interpreted in different ways. For the moderates the resolution demanded more autonomy for Punjab, but for the extremists it was full freedom and not mere autonomy.

The Anandpur Sahib Resolution asserted regional autonomy and wanted to redefine centrestate relationship in the country. The resolution also spoke of the aspirations of the Sikh qaum (community or nation) and declared its goal as attaining the bolbala (dominance or hegemony) of the Sikhs. The Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism, but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation. The resolution had a limited appeal among the Sikh masses.

(i) The Akali government lost its importance and was dismissed in 1980s.

(ii) It launched a movement on the distribution of water between Punjab and its neighbouring states.

(iii) The movement slowly went from the moderate Akalis to the control of the Extremists and got converted into an armed insurgency for which the Anandpur Sahib Resolution was held responsible.