Opinion May 1, 1984, Forty Years Ago: Home Minister P C Sethi ruled out a separate personal law for the Sikhs

In a shoot-out, terrorists killed Bachan Singh, retired deputy superintendent of police, and others in Amritsar.

P C Sethi, Ex-Punjab Cop Killed, No Sikh Personal Law, BJP Walkout, Mizoram CM Tussle, 40 years, editorial, Indian express, opinion news, indian express editorial

In another incident, unidentified persons hurled a hand grenade at a Central Reserve Police Force picket at Ferozepur, injuring three CRPF personnel.

By: Editorial

May 1, 2024 06:52 AM IST First published on: May 1, 2024 at 06:31 AM IST

Ex-Punjab Cop Killed

In a shoot-out, terrorists killed Bachan Singh, retired deputy superintendent of police, and others in Amritsar. In another incident, unidentified persons hurled a hand grenade at a Central Reserve Police Force picket at Ferozepur, injuring three CRPF personnel. Bachan Singh was on the hitlist after he interrogated Bhai Amrik Singh, the right-hand man of Sikh leader J S Bhindranwale.

No Sikh Personal Law

Home Minister P C Sethi said that the government had been having “closed door” meetings with the Akalis to find a solution to the Punjab problem, but ruled out a separate personal law for the Sikhs. Sethi’s assertion on the personal law issue came in his reply at the end of the debate in the Rajya Sabha on the National Security (Amendment) Bill, 1984.

BJP Walkout

New Lt-Governor P G Gavai’s maiden address at the opening session of the Delhi Metropolitan Council was marked by a walkout by the entire opposition. Leader of the opposition Madan Lal Khurana (BJP), said that the opposition was staging a walkout to protest against the Delhi Administration’s failure in dealing with the extremist activities. Khurana said that the opposition’s action was not aimed at insulting the new governor.

Mizoram CM Tussle

Once imprisoned for being with the banned Mizo National Front, Lalthanhawla, on being elected leader of the Mizoram Congress (I) legislature party, staked his claim for being the next chief minister of the Union territory before the Lt-Governor HS Dubey. Brig T Sallo, who submitted his resignation, has been asked to continue till an alternative arrangement is made. His party, the Peoples Conference, was mauled in the elections.