Sant Harchand Singh Longowal

Sant Harchand Singh Longowal was president of the Shiromani Akali Dal from 1980 until he was assassinated on 20 August 1985. He led the Akali side of the Dharam Yudh Morcha, held talks with Indira Gandhi and then with Rajiv Gandhi, and signed the Rajiv-Longowal Accord less than four weeks before his death. The Tribune records two views of him: a voice of moderation, and a leader accused of playing both sides.

Early life. He was born on 2 January 1932 at Gidariani, then in the princely state of Patiala and now in Sangrur district, to Mansa Singh and Karam Kaur. He studied Sikh theology and music at the seminary at Maujo under Sant Jodh Singh, served as a granthi, and built a gurdwara at Longowal in memory of Bhai Mani Singh. He was Jathedar of the Damdama Sahib shrine in 1962 and was elected to the Punjab Assembly for the Akali Dal in 1969. In 1975 he became acting Akali Dal president and led the agitation against the Emergency, and in 1980 he was recalled to lead the party (Encyclopaedia of Sikhism).

Key moments

• 19 July 1982: Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale comes to the Harimandar Sahib complex and starts a morcha for the release of Sikh prisoners, including Bhai Amrik Singh.
• 4 August 1982: Bhindranwale merges his morcha with the Akali Dal's, and the joint Dharam Yudh Morcha adds the Anandpur Sahib Resolution to its aims. As Akali Dal president Longowal is its official leader, sometimes called “Dictator Sahib”, though in practice the leadership is shared. Both leaders make an ardas at Sri Akal Takht Sahib to start it.
• 15 December 1983: with relations strained and the Akali Dal negotiating with the government, Babbar Khalsa members, urged by the Akali Dal and Longowal, demand that Bhindranwale leave his room at Guru Nanak Niwas. He moves to Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
• June 1984: Longowal is in the Harmandir Sahib complex during Operation Blue Star. The Tribune says the Army rescued him. A retired brigadier's affidavit, reported by The Tribune, says he and his colleagues in the SGPC building were “willing to surrender”.
• 24 July 1985: he signs the Rajiv-Longowal Accord with Rajiv Gandhi. It seemed to promise the transfer of Chandigarh, rehabilitation of Sikh Army deserters and compensation for victims of violence in Punjab and Delhi. The Tribune says most promises were never implemented. Other Akali leaders opposed the accord, and there were protests in Haryana and Punjab.
• 20 August 1985: he is shot at point-blank range near a gurdwara at Sherpur village, Sangrur, aged 53. The Tribune names two assailants, Jarnail Singh Halvara and Gyan Singh Leel; the Encyclopaedia of Sikhism speaks of one unidentified young man. The sources differ on the number of attackers.

Remembered for. The Tribune says some called him a voice of moderation during the years of violence in Punjab, while others, including Akali leaders of the time, accused him of “double-play”, swinging between hardliners such as Bhindranwale and moderates such as Parkash Singh Badal. It calls his killing a blow to efforts to restore peace. The Tribune reaches no firm verdict and notes that his role has been debated at length.