Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Sant Harchand Singh Longowal Remembered Amid Punjab Political Venue Dispute
Sant Harchand Singh Longowal was a Sikh religious preacher who later became an important political leader.
He led the Shiromani Akali Dal during a difficult period in Punjab.
He protested for greater political, economic and religious rights for the state.
In 1982, he helped begin a large protest movement called the Dharam Yudh Morcha.
He and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale later disagreed because of their different political ideas.
After Operation Blue Star and other violence, Longowal worked with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to make the Punjab Accord.
Militants killed him less than a month after he signed it.
His death anniversary is still observed, but Akali factions are now arguing over where to hold the programme.
Sant Harchand Singh Longowal was a moderate Akali leader during Punjab’s turbulent 1970s and 1980s.
He led the Shiromani Akali Dal and launched the Dharam Yudh Morcha in 1982.
Longowal signed the Punjab Accord with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on July 24, 1985.
Militants assassinated him in Sherpur village on August 20, 1985, less than a month after the accord.
SAD factions are disputing the venue for this year’s death anniversary programme in Longowal village.
- Who
- Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, Shiromani Akali Dal factions, and other political parties observing his death anniversary.
- What
- A remembrance of Longowal and a dispute over the venue for the annual death anniversary programme.
- When
- The anniversary is observed on August 20; Longowal was assassinated on August 20, 1985.
- Where
- Longowal village and Sangrur district in Punjab; the assassination occurred in Sherpur village.
- Why
- Longowal is remembered for leading the Akali movement and signing the 1985 Punjab Accord before his assassination.
SAD (Punarsurjit)
SAD (Badal)
Death anniversary venue
SAD (Punarsurjit)
The breakaway faction was allotted the shed area of the Longowal grain market for its programme.
SAD (Badal)
The Badal-led faction was allotted the open, cemented area, approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and later moved its programme to Bhai Mani Singh Khalsa College.
Separate commemorations
SAD (Punarsurjit)
Breakaway Akali factions have held separate programmes in Longowal village for the past three or four years.
SAD (Badal)
The Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal has held its conference at Bhai Mani Singh Khalsa College for the past two years.
- Birth
- January 2, 1932, in Gidariani village, Sangrur district.
- Political party
- He was elected president of the Shiromani Akali Dal in 1980 and again in 1981.
- Dharam Yudh Morcha
- Longowal launched the united protest front on August 4, 1982.
- Punjab Accord
- He signed the Rajiv-Longowal Accord with Rajiv Gandhi on July 24, 1985.
- Assassination
- He was killed by militants Jarnail Singh Halvara and Gyan Singh Leel on August 20, 1985.
- Age at death
- Longowal was 53 when he was assassinated.
- Current dispute
- The Sangrur administration allotted separate parts of the Longowal grain market to SAD (Punarsurjit) and the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD.