7.3.3. Road to Peace

After coming to power following the election in 1984, the new Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi initiated a dialogue with moderate Akali leaders. In July 1985, he reached an agreement with Harchand Singh Longowal, then the President of the Akali Dal. This agreement, known as the Rajiv Gandhi - Longowal Accord or the Punjab Accord, was a step towards bringing normalcy to Punjab. 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. The agreement also provided for compensation to and better treatment of those affected by the militancy in Punjab and the withdrawal of the application of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Punjab.

In 1984, after Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister, he saw the need to communicate with moderate Sikh leaders to resolve the tensions in Punjab, which was facing the aftermath of militancy. His dialogue with Akali leader Harchand Singh Longowal led to the Rajiv Gandhi - Longowal Accord. Major provisions included transferring Chandigarh back to Punjab, setting up a commission to settle disputes over borders with neighboring Haryana, and addressing the distribution of river water. Importantly, the accord also aimed to bring peace by ensuring better treatment of those who suffered during the militancy, which had deeply affected the local population and resulted in various violations of human rights. This accord marked a significant step towards restoring peace in Punjab.

Think of this situation like a classroom that has become chaotic during a group project. The teacher (Rajiv Gandhi) decides to sit down with the group leaders (Longowal and the Akali Dal) to negotiate a way to finish the project without fights. They agree that some responsibilities (Chandigarh) should be reassigned, and rules (water sharing) should be clearly defined to support everyone. Thanks to this agreement, the chaotic class is calmed down, and students can work together effectively again.

However, peace did not come easily or immediately. The cycle of violence continued nearly for a decade. Militancy and counter insurgency violence led to excesses by the police and violations of human rights. Politically, it led to fragmentation of the Akali Dal. The central government had to impose President’s rule in the State and the normal electoral and political process was suspended. It was not easy to restore the political process in the atmosphere of suspicion and violence. When elections were held in Punjab in 1992, only 24 percent of the electors turned out to vote.

After the accord, establishing peace was still a major struggle. Continued violence, both from militant groups and government forces, led to many human rights abuses. The Akali Dal struggled to maintain unity during this period, leading to infighting. Due to the ongoing turmoil, the central government had to impose President's rule, effectively sidelining normal political processes. Consequently, when elections were finally held in 1992, disillusionment was so deep that only a small fraction of the voters participated, indicating a lack of trust in the system. This situation highlights how complex and fragile peace can be when historical grievances and ongoing violence impact people's perceptions of governance.

Think of restoring peace like trying to fix a broken friendship after a big fight. Even if both sides agree to stop arguing, the hurt feelings and distrust might still linger, making it hard for friends to reconnect. Similarly, here, even though the accord was a step towards peace, previous violence left deep scars, and people were unsure about whether they could trust the political process again.

Militancy was eventually eradicated by the security forces. But the losses incurred by the people of Punjab – Sikhs and Hindus alike – were enormous. Peace returned to Punjab by the middle of 1990s. The alliance of Akali Dal (Badal) and the BJP scored a major victory in 1997, in the first normal elections in the State in the post-militancy era. The State is once again preoccupied with questions of economic development and social change. Though religious identities continue to be important for the people, politics has gradually moved back along secular lines.

Over time, the security forces managed to deal effectively with the militancy in Punjab, leading to a gradual return to peace by the middle of the 1990s. This period saw immense suffering for both Sikh and Hindu communities due to the conflict. By 1997, the Akali Dal (Badal) coalition with the BJP was able to regain power in a democratic process post-militancy. This restoration of normal governance allowed Punjab to refocus on pressing issues like economic development and social progress, moving toward a more secular political landscape despite the underlying importance of religious identities.

Imagine a town that has been through a disastrous storm, damaging homes and businesses. As the storm subsides, community members come together to rebuild and restore normalcy. They focus on repairing what was lost and improving services, which eventually leads to a flourishing neighborhood once again. Similarly, after the militants were dealt with and normal governance resumed, Punjab began to heal and focus on reviving its economy and promoting unity among different communities.

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