This is an archive article published on April 3, 2023

Opinion April 3, 1983, Forty Years Ago: Akalis Arrested

The Punjab Police swung into action and arrested over 650 Akali workers, including more than a dozen legislators and Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee members, in an attempt to frustrate the “rasta roko” stir, scheduled to begin.

Punjab Police, Akalis, Akali Dal, Indira Gandhi, Meghalaya, padma bhushan, Padma Bhushan award, Indian express, Opinion, Editorial

Several Akalis went underground or rushed into nearby gurdwaras following the crackdown, the police said.

April 3, 2023 05:59 AM IST First published on: Apr 3, 2023 at 05:59 AM IST

The Punjab Police swung into action and arrested over 650 Akali workers, including more than a dozen legislators and Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee members, in an attempt to frustrate the “rasta roko” stir, scheduled to begin. Several Akalis went underground or rushed into nearby gurdwaras following the crackdown, the police said.

India-China relations

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi expressed the hope that the exchange of several delegations that had taken place between India and China in the past few months would take the two countries farther in solving difficulties in their bilateral relations. Every such visit, Mrs Gandhi said, ‘‘adds another brick in building the house of friendship.”

Meghalaya ministry

A new 14-member Congress (I)-led four-party coalition ministry assumed office in Meghalaya with Chief Minister Williamson Sangma, pledging a “good, strong and stable government” in the hill state. Capt Sangma, his 11 cabinet colleagues, and two ministers of state of the new Meghalaya Democratic Front (MDF) coalition were administered the oath of office and secrecy at a ceremony at Raj Bhavan in Shillong by the governor.

Padma Bhushan

At a glittering civil investiture ceremony held in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Zail Singh presented the 1983 Padma Bhushan awards to 16, Padma Shri to 68, and the certificate of honour to 14 persons. The country’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, conferred posthumously on Acharya Vinobha Bhave will be sent to Paunar Ashram. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, her cabinet colleagues, members of the diplomatic corps, Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar were prominent among those present on the occasion.