This is the front page of The Indian Express published on July 23, 1984, Forty Years Ago.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on July 21 sought the cooperation of those opposed to her, to pay heed to the “deliberate” dangers posed to the country. She did not specify who she was referring to. Gandhi’s move comes after substantial evidence has been brought to the government’s notice suggesting external forces are working against India.
Santa Singh Removed
The Sikh high priests through an edict issued, excommunicated Santa Singh, chief Nihang of the Budha Dal, from the Sikh Panth. The decision was taken after Singh defied priests’ directives which didn’t permit the continuation of kar seva in the Golden Temple complex. Santa Singh claimed that the priests had no authority over the Dal.
Gurdwara agitation
The Akali Dal will shortly launch an agitation in consultation with all Sikh priests and other party jathedars in Punjab for “freeing” gurdwaras from the control of security forces and other “government-supported agencies.” The agitation is said to continue till the Army is removed from Golden Temple and control is handed over to the SGPC.
Shifts In Assam
The Assam agitation leaders indicated that they may stand for general elections in the state if they were held based on 1971 electoral rolls, and the foreigners’ names were deleted. This is a swift shift in narrative. The All-Assam Students Union (AASU) and All-Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) have been spearheading the movement against foreign nationals in the state. They have suggested revising the voters’ list with reference to the 1952 list. They had reiterated their determination to oppose elections held based on the 1979 electoral lists.
