Opinion April 29, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Surat violence
Longowal's stand
Akali Dal president Harchand Singh Longowal's repeated assertions in the capital that the Akalis stand for the unity and integrity of the country and are opposed to violence seem to have made a good impact in political circles, and the visit might create the basis for further moves to solve the Punjab problem. Punjab Governor Arjun Singh and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi are understood to have reviewed the Punjab situation in light of Longowal's speeches. Political circles seem to feel that Longowal is taking a reasonable stand.
After Blue Star
Parkash Singh Badal, former chief minister and a senior Akali leader, said the government would have to take 'fairly major and liberal steps' to win the confidence of the Sikhs shattered by Operation Blue Star and the November riots. The Akali leader, who was addressing his first press conference after release from 10 months of detention under the NSA, declined to specify the steps. He further said that the Sikhs could not tolerate the desecration of the Golden Temple and the Akal Takht.
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