The Punjab Conflict: Failure of the Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal AccordCitha D. Maaß

ASIEN – Nr. 26 (1988) pp. 34–51

After his overwhelming election victory in December 1984, the new Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assigned „top priority“ to a peaceful settlement of the Punjab conflict. After a surprisingly short period of negotiations with the Akali Dal leadership he succeeded in signing an accord with Sant Harchand Singh Longowal in July 1985. The author examines in this paper, why this accord failed. Faction-fighting within the Sikh leadership. Assessment of the Sikh extremist movement.