The akali struggle at three important historical gurdwaras

The Akali Movement from 1920 to 1925 has occupied a very important place not only in the Sikh history but also in the regional and national history. The management of Gurdwaras and misuse of their property by Mahants became the immediate cause of agitation. The Sikhs made great sacrifices for the construction, maintenance and protection of the Gurdwaras. Peaceful agitation was adopted by Akalis as a weapon to fight the vested interests in Sikh Shrines. This weapon proved very effective. The Akalis were supposed to take the oath that they would not resort to violence. True spirit of non-violence of Akalis was most striking feature of the Akali Movement. The Akali struggle directed against the priests, mahants and other vested interests in the Sikh shrines and consequently against the British imperialism was one of the most powerful movement of the modern India. The Akali Movement was stopped in 1925, when Sikh Gurdwaras and Shrines Bill (The Sikh Gurdwara Act VIII of 1925) was passed on 28th July 1925. The Act provided for control of all historic shrines by elected body called Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (S.G.P.C).