Shiv Sena (Army of Shiva) is a right-wing extremist group that surfaced in 1986 as a reaction to Sikh extremism in Punjab [ Degenhardt H.W., ed. Revolutionary and Dissident Movements, (London: Longman, 1988), p. 152.]. It had then been in existence, however, for two and a half years [ Singh K. "India's Sectarian Nightmare", South, October 1986.]. Around 30,000 armed youths were part of the movement in 1986 [ Ibid.]. Shiv Sena uses violence against Sikhs, often in retaliation for attacks against Hindus in Punjab [ Heiniger C. and K. Linow, Inde, (Lausanne: Office central suisse d'aide aux réfugiés, 1988), p. 42.]. Shiv Sena was involved in the Nakodar incident in February 1986, when a curfew was imposed and Sena activists were arrested [ Punjab Human Rights Organisation, The Fascist Offensive in Punjab, (Hounslow, U.K.: Punjab Human Rights Organisation, 1989), p. 5.]. The worst violence of February 1986 occurred in Batala (North-east of Amritsar) where members of Shiv Sena and of the All India Sikh Student association clashed [ "Violent Incidents in Punjab, October 1985 to April 1986", Keesing's Record of World Events, vol.32, August 1986, p. 34564.]. Shiv Sena expressed its concern for security in March 1986 while it called for the intervention of the army in Punjab [ Punjab Human Rights Organisation, ibid, p. 31.]. Shiv Sena has supported Hindu extremist during the recent Ayodhya incident in which Hindus and Muslims competed for the erection of a religious monument [Zecchini L. "Joutes électorales en Inde", Le Monde, 25 October 1989.]. Shiv Sena is reported to be particularly powerful in the state of Maharashtra [ Zecchini L. "Le parti hindouiste BJP arbitre au Parlement", Le Monde, 29 November 1989.].

There is no indication in the literature as to whether Shiv Sena is banned or not, but it is important to note that they are considered a "terrorist" group by the authorities and that the police in Punjab is largely Sikh-dominated [ Singh K., ibid.]. Two recent ordinances have been enacted in an attempt to curb terrorism in India: the Terrorist Affected Areas Act (1984) and the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (1985) still in force in Punjab [ State Terrorism in Punjab, (India Information Centre, 1989), p. 11.].

Hindus in Punjab have been victims of attacks over the last few years [ U.S. Department of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1986, (Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1987).]. At the end of 1986, for example, twenty-four Hindu passengers (civilians) aboard a bus in Punjab were massacred while Sikh passengers were unharmed [ Gray J. "Hindu Militancy Shedding Cloak of Disrepute", Globe and Mail, 5 December 1986, p. A7.]. After that event, Shiv Sena declared that they would be ready to fight when other such massacres happen in the future [ Silver E. "Division Between Sikhs, Hindus Casts Shadow Over India", Ottawa Citizen, 17 December 1986, p. A9.]. In September 1986, Sikh extremists killed a leader of the Army of the God Shiva (Shiv Sena) in Punjab [ "Sikh Extremists Kill Leader of a Militant Hindu Group", New York Times, 17 September 1986, p. A12.]. In January 1987, another leader of Shiv Sena was killed by Sikh extremists [ "Hindu Leader Slain in Punjab Violence", Globe and Mail, 23 January 1987, p. A8.]. In August 1987, Hindus aboard two different buses were again massacred by Sikh secessionists [ Hazarika S. "Terrorists Kill 25 in Punjab; Curfew in Sikh City", New York Times, 8 August 1987, p. A2.
"12 Hindus Shot Dead in Punjab Terrorism", Globe and Mail, 8 August 1987, p. A6.].