LONGOWAL: In a unique paradox, the Rajiv-Longowal accord, signed by the slain Akali leader Harchand Singh Longowal came under sharp criticism at a public function organized to observe his ninth death anniversary.

Speaking at the Akali Dal (Amritsar) meet, firebrand Akali leader Simranjit Singh Mann said that the sant entered into the historic accord nine years ago with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, without consulting the then mainstream Sikh leaders.

Without naming former Punjab Chief Minister Surjit Singh Bamala and slain Akali leader Balwant Singh who were architects of the accord, Mann said, “The accord surreptitiously signed at the instance of two Akali Leaders was bound to collapse.” He, however, exonerated Sant Longowal by saying that he was made to “commit the mistake.”

Mann categorically announced that “no agreement or accord of the Akalis with the Center will be honored in future too, unless there is a big force behind it.”

But SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra held Rajiv Gandht responsible for the no implementation

Of the accord, It may be recalled “Longowal. I was assassinated the militants for catering into the accord with the Congress Government, at the Center in 1985.

Tohra alleged that from the accord was signed; the Rajiv a Government mounted a campaign to Violate each and every clause lead Of implementing it. This was a Unique case when a signatory of an accord, himself violated the accord and even then continued to rule the country.

A large gathering of Sikhs was addressed by several senior Akali Waders, including former Central minister’ Ram Bilas Paswan and Gharanjit Yadav.

The leaders strongly criticized the reported letter purposed to have been written by the Foreign Secretary, describing the visit of the acting jathedar of Akal Takhi Manjit Singh to US, Canada and UK as a secret mission.

A special resolution was passed, changing that it was a conspiracy hatched by the Government of Inga to defame the Sikh temporal and religious seat the Akal Takht also to spread disinformation the Sikh community.

Tohra said that the SGPC will file & suit of defamation against the Union Government for writing such alter, and later deliberately leaking it to the Press.

Former Union Minister Ram Bilas Paswan said there was virtually “jungle raj’*in Punjab, as the Beant Singh Government was busy in extracting money from the People through corrupt practices.

He alleged that the Congress Government in the state has given a license to the police to adopt any repressive method and had lost Credibility among the Punjabis. As Consequent Of the recent Punjab and Haryana high court verdict against various decisions of the State Government, Chief Minister Beant Singh had no moral right to remain in office.

Janata Dal National Secretary Wasim Ahmed lashed out at the Government for promoting “chauvinism” among the majority community people and suppressing the Mennonites and their culture. Vidhosa DMK leader from Tamil Nadu read our former State Chief Minister Karunanidhi’s letter at the meeting extending his party’s full cooperation to (A).

Amrinder Singh condemned the newly drafted National Water Policy, Saying that it was aimed at further centralizing the powers in the power in the center and was tantamount to gross violation of internationally Accepted riparian laws. If the draft was enacted as policy by the Center, the Punjab river waters would be at the merey of the Courts.

 Janatt Dal leader Charanjit Yadav described Sant Longowal us the “greatest patriot,” and advised the Sikhs not to think in an isolationist manner as they had a large number of supporters throughout the country.

The meeting adopted eight resolutions, including demand for dismissal of the Beant Singh Government in view of various adverse court verdicts is and demanding more power and water for the farmer’s community.

Article extracted from this publication >> August 26, 1994