Profound social and political changes characterised Punjab in the 1980s. After Punjab was reorganised based on language in 1966, the Sikh population became the largest group. Despite being in government coalitions, the Akali Dal, which represents Sikh interests, encountered many challenges. Their call for political independence reached its peak with the 1973 Anandpur Sahib Resolution, leading to the following armed uprising.

About 1980’s Punjab

Period of change in 1980s: The decade of 1980s also witnessed major developments in the State of Punjab. 

• Punjab’s Evolving Social Landscape: The social composition of the State changed first with Partition and later on after the carving out of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. 
• Punjab’s Linguistic Reorganization: The Punjab was created in 1966 on linguistic lines. The Sikhs were now a majority in the truncated State of Punjab 
• Role of Akali Dal: The Akali Dal, which was formed in 1920 as the political wing of the Sikhs, had led the movement for the formation of a ‘Punjabi Suba’.

Political context

Akali Dal into power: After the reorganization, the Akali coalition government came to power in 1967 and then in 1977. 

• Akali Dal’s Political Challenges Despite Redrawn Boundaries: Despite the redrawing of the boundaries, Akali’s political position remained precarious. 
• Their government was dismissed by the Centre mid-way through its term. 
• They did not enjoy strong support among the Hindus of Punjab. 
• The Sikh community was also internally divided into castes. The Congress got more support among the Dalits, whether Hindu or Sikh, than the Akalis.  
• Akali Dal’s Demand for Political Autonomy: Seeking their position, a section of Akalis began to demand political autonomy for the region. 

Anandpur Sahib Resolution

• Objective: In 1973, the Anandpur Sahib Resolution was passed at Anandpur Sahib to redefine centre-state relationships in the country. 
• Goals and Aspirations of the Sikh Community: The resolution also emphasized the aspirations of the Sikh qaum (community or nation) and declared its goal as attaining the bolbala (dominance or hegemony) of the Sikhs. 
• Impact and Reception of the Resolution: The Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism in India. It had a limited appeal among the Sikh masses. 
• Transformation into Armed Insurgency: After the dismissal of the Akali government in 1980, Akali Dal launched a movement on the question of distribution of water between Punjab and its neighbouring States. 
• • Soon, the movement took the form of armed insurgency.

Cycle of violence

Militants Fortify Golden Temple: The militants of the movement made their headquarters inside Sikh holy shrine, Golden Temple in Amritsar, and turned it into an armed fortress. 

• Operation Blue Star: In June 1984, Government of India carried out ‘Operation Blue Star’, (army action in Golden Temple) to flush out militants, but it also damaged historic temples which hurt Sikh sentiments and complicated the problem further. 
• Assassination of Indira Gandhi: Two Sikh bodyguards assassinated Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 31 October 1984 outside her residence to take revenge for Operation Bluestar. 
• Anti-Sikh Riots: As a result, in Delhi and many parts of northern India like Kanpur, Bokaro, and Chas violence broke out against Sikh community. 
  • Many Sikh families lost their male members and even the government took a long time in restoring normalcy and perpetrators of this violence were not effectively punished. 
• Government Apology: Twenty years later, speaking in Parliament in 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed regret over these killings and apologized to the nation for anti-Sikh violence. 

Road to peace

In 1984, the new Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi initiated a dialogue with moderate Akali leaders and in July 1985, an agreement was signed known as Rajiv Gandhi – Longowal Accord or the Punjab Accord. Harchand Singh Longowal was the then President of the Akali Dal.

• The Punjab Accord
• It was agreed that Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab. 
• A separate commission would be appointed to resolve the border dispute between Punjab and Haryana, and 
• A tribunal would be set up to decide the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water among Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. 
• It also provided for compensation to and better treatment of those affected by militancy in Punjab and withdrawal of application of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Punjab. 
• Continued Cycle of Violence: However, a cycle of violence continued for a decade. Politically, it led to the fragmentation of Akali Dal and the central government imposed President’s rule. 
• Low Voter Turnout: In the 1992 Punjab election, only 24% of the electors turned out to vote. 
• End of Militancy: Eventually, militancy was eradicated and Peace returned to Punjab by the middle of 1990s, but the losses incurred by the people of Punjab – Sikhs and Hindus alike – were enormous. 
• Akali Dal (Badal) and BJP Alliance Victory: The alliance of Akali Dal (Badal) and BJP scored a major victory in the post-militancy era in 1997 elections. 
• Economic Development: The State of Punjab is once again preoccupied with questions of economic development and social change. 

Conclusion

Punjab saw considerable social and political upheaval in the 1980s. The state was significantly impacted by the Akali Dal’s quest for political independence and the subsequent upsurge in militancy that followed the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. Long-lasting injuries were inflicted by events like the anti-Sikh riots and Operation Blue Star. By the middle of the 1990s, peace initiatives like the Punjab Accord had created a tranquil atmosphere that allowed Punjab to concentrate again on social and economic development.

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