Punjab Issue

Punjab Issue

The social landscape of Punjab underwent significant changes, first with the partition of India and later with the creation of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh in 1966.

Long before independence, the Akali Dal, formed in 1920 as the political arm of the Sikhs, led the movement for the creation of a “Punjabi Suba.”

After partition, Sikhs became the majority in the smaller state of Punjab, prompting a section of the Akalis in the 1970s to call for greater political autonomy. They passed a resolution advocating regional autonomy and sought to redefine the relationship between the center and states. Their goal was the dominance or “bolbala” of Sikhs, but this did not imply a separation from India.

Over time, more radical voices within the Akali Dal began pushing for secession and the creation of “Khalistan.”

As the leadership of the Akali Dal shifted from moderate to militant factions, terrorism also emerged in Punjab by 1981. This violence was seen as the result of decades of communal politics since 1947. Militants, aiming for Khalistan, took control of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, turning it into an armed stronghold.

In June 1984, the Indian government launched “Operation Blue Star,” a military operation to remove militants from the Golden Temple. While the operation was successful, it led to significant damage to the holy site, hurting the sentiments of many Sikhs and fueling the rise of extremist factions. In retaliation for the operation, Indira Gandhi’s own Sikh bodyguards assassinated her, triggering horrific anti-Sikh riots.

Road to Peace

In August 1985 the newly elected PM of India, Rajiv Gandhi signed an agreement with Harchand Singh Longowal the then President of Akali Dal which was known as the “Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord or the Punjab Accord”. This was a positive step towards bringing normalcy to Punjab.

The basic feature of the Accord:

Transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab.

Sharing of water through tribunal between Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.

Compensation for those who suffered from militancy.

Revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Punjab.

This accord didn’t facilitate peace immediately. Militancy and counter-insurgency violence continued, which led to human rights violations. Fragmentation of Akali Dal also started. The normal political process was suspended and President’s rule was imposed. Gradually the military was eradicated by the security forces. Peace returned to Punjab by the middle of the 1990s. The alliance of BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal emerged as victorious and brought back the democratic process in the state.