A Punjabi speaking state - 'Punjabi Suba' in popular terminology became the focus of Sikhs' political ambition. They pursued the demand with the full power of their will. They mobilised all their resources behind it and fought for it tooth and nail. A variety of tactics came into play. Widespread agitations were followed by negotiations across the table.

On 13th April 1978 the Akhand Kirtani Jatha gathered together from all over India at Amritsar to hold their yearly Vaisakhi Smagam. Kirtan had started from Amrit Vela and at about 10 o'clock a message was received. The message said that the followers of Nakali Nirankari Gurbachan Singh were holding a procession in Amritsar and were shouting slogans against the Satguru and shouting insults against the Sikh religion.

After the incident of Vaisakhi 1978, a agitation was started against the Nirankaris. Wherever the Nirankaris had their meetings, GurSikhs would go and protest peacefully. Thus Gurbachan Singh was unable to address the meetings held at Varanasi, Azamgarh and Allahbad. On 25th September 1978, Gurbachan Singh reached Kanpur at 9.30p.m, flanked by police officers to protect him. The news having leaked out, the Sikhs started a protest march from Gurdwara Gobindpuri, which is at a distance of about 3 kilometres from the Nirankari Bhawan of Kanpur. Women and children also joined the protesters.