Explanation:

Gurdwara Reform Movement, also known as Akali Movement, was a long-drawn Campaign of the Sikhs for the liberation of their shrines or Gurdwaras from the priests (mahants) who had asserted property rights over Gurdwaras. At that time there were no rules for the administration of the Gurdwaras nor were qualifications prescribed for their caretakers. These Gurdwaras were looked after by Udasis, who were as much Hindu as they were Sikh. These priests were under the protection of the British Government. The priests drank and gambled like publican. They robbed and bullied the shrines and dishonoured the women and children.
They introduced ceremonies which were against the teachings of Sikhism. Under the patronage of British Government, the lands and properties attached to the Gurdwaras were entered against the names of these priests (mahants). The Sikhs claimed that the Gurdwaras were public property and the public had a right to remove, its agents, the Mahants, when they did not confirm to the wishes of the people. But the government regarded the mahants as legal owners of the Gurdwaras.