This is the front page of The Indian Express published on July 18, 1984, Forty Years Ago.
The Budha Dal Nihang chief, Santa Singh, started kar seva at the Golden Temple complex on July 16, after which he was questioned by the high priests for undertaking voluntary service despite directives advising against it. He was challenged by Puran Singh, former head granthi of the Darbar Sahib among others. When the seva was launched, only about 150 followers of the Nihang chief were present, as devotees were not allowed to enter.
Army Pullout Likely
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on July 16 said the Army was keen to withdraw its forces from the Golden Temple, and the troops were prepared to do so as well. However, they were fearful that violence may break out with a decrease in forces, as the Akalis were still observing Shaheedi Divas, which meant confrontation with the Army was a possibility.
Assam Roll Revision
The Assam government has suggested that it would revise electoral rolls after the tribunals appointed under the Illegal Migrants Act reveal final determinations, according to the Chief Election Commissioner, R K Trivedi. Addressing the press after a conference of chief electoral officers, Trivedi said Assam had also suggested that the names of foreigners identified by the tribunals should be deleted from the electoral rolls of 1979.
Threats From PoK
Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Khan, former president of occupied Kashmir, has threatened that his party workers would break the ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir if needed, on July 15. These statements arose from concerns that the ousting of Farooq Abdullah’s administration implied a move to reduce the region’s Muslim-majority population.
