The demand for an independent Sikh state, Khalistan, has roots in the 1940s and gained traction in Punjab through the 1970s-80s. Many Sikhs in India felt marginalized by the Hindu-majority government, citing cultural erosion and human rights abuses—like the 1990 unlawful killing of Mangal Singh by Punjab Police. The movement peaked in the late 1980s but still simmers, especially among the Sikh diaspora. Recent X posts highlight ongoing tensions, with some Sikhs pushing for independence due to historical grievances, while others in India focus on cultural preservation over separatism. Data from the ground shows a split: some Sikhs want autonomy, but a full-on independent state isn’t a majority demand in India today.