CBSE Class 12 · Regional Aspirations

Punjab: Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Cycle of Violence and the Punjab Accord (Class 12 Political Science, Politics in India since Independence, Chapter 7)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Punjab got a Punjabi-speaking state in 1966. In the 1970s a section of Akalis demanded autonomy (Anandpur Sahib Resolution, 1973). The movement later turned to armed insurgency; Operation Blue Star (June 1984) and Indira Gandhi's assassination (31 October 1984) followed. The Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord of July 1985 aimed at peace, which returned by the mid-1990s.

Follow the arrow: autonomy demand (1973) led to violence in 1984, the Accord of 1985 followed, and peace returned by the mid-1990s.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Punjab in the 1980s: Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Violence and the Punjab Accord

Why this topic matters. Punjab is one of the regional aspiration cases in the chapter 'Regional Aspirations', along with Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East. Board questions ask the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Operation Blue Star, the Punjab Accord's provisions and the return to normal politics. The topic is sensitive: report events as NCERT does, attribute views to those who held them, and do not blame any community, party or leader.

1. Background.

The social composition of Punjab changed with Partition and again after Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were carved out.
While the rest of India was reorganised on linguistic lines in the 1950s, Punjab had to wait till 1966 for a Punjabi-speaking state. The Akali Dal, formed in 1920 as the political wing of the Sikhs, had led the movement for a 'Punjabi suba'. Sikhs were now a majority in the truncated state.

2. Political context.

The Akalis came to power in 1967 and 1977, both times in coalition governments.
NCERT lists their difficulties: the government was dismissed by the Centre mid-term; they lacked strong support among Hindus; and the Sikh community was internally differentiated by caste and class, with the Congress getting more support among Dalits, Hindu or Sikh, than the Akalis.

3. Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973).

In this context a section of Akalis demanded political autonomy; it was reflected in the resolution at their Anandpur Sahib conference in 1973.
It asserted regional autonomy and sought to redefine centre-state relations; it spoke of the aspirations of the Sikh qaum (community or nation) and declared the goal of attaining the bolbala (dominance) of the Sikhs. NCERT describes it as a plea for strengthening federalism in India.
It had limited appeal among the Sikh masses. After the Akali government was dismissed in 1980, the Akali Dal launched a movement on the distribution of river water between Punjab and neighbouring states, and a section of religious leaders raised the question of an autonomous Sikh identity.

4. Cycle of violence.

Leadership of the movement passed from moderate Akalis to extremist elements and it became an armed insurgency. Militants made their headquarters inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
In June 1984 the Government of India carried out Operation Blue Star, army action in the Golden Temple. NCERT says the government flushed out the militants but the operation damaged the historic temple and deeply hurt Sikh sentiments; a large proportion of Sikhs in India and abroad saw it as an attack on their faith, which gave further impetus to militant groups.
On 31 October 1984 Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her bodyguards, who were Sikhs and wanted to take revenge for Operation Blue Star.
Violence then broke out against the Sikh community in Delhi and many parts of northern India for almost a week. More than two thousand Sikhs were killed in the capital; hundreds elsewhere, such as Kanpur, Bokaro and Chas. What hurt Sikhs most, NCERT says, was that the government took long to restore normalcy and the perpetrators were not effectively punished. The Justice Nanavati Commission report (2005) is quoted in the book. In 2005 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed regret in Parliament and apologised to the nation.

5. Road to peace.

After the 1984 election, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi opened a dialogue with moderate Akali leaders. In July 1985 he reached the Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord (Punjab Accord) with Harchand Singh Longowal, President of the Akali Dal.
Terms: Chandigarh to be transferred to Punjab; a commission on the Punjab-Haryana border dispute; a tribunal on sharing Ravi-Beas waters among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan; compensation and better treatment for those affected by militancy; withdrawal of AFSPA in Punjab.
Peace did not come easily: violence continued for nearly a decade; police excesses and human rights violations occurred; the Akali Dal fragmented; President's rule suspended normal politics. In the 1992 elections only 24 per cent of electors voted.
Militancy was eventually eradicated by security forces, but losses to Sikhs and Hindus alike were enormous. Peace returned by the mid-1990s; the Akali Dal (Badal)-BJP alliance won in 1997, the first normal election after militancy. Politics moved gradually back along secular lines, with religion still important in identity.

6. Lessons NCERT draws (as the chapter's theme). Regional aspirations can be accommodated within a democratic federation through dialogue and accords, though at times only after loss and delay.

Graph checklist. A timeline: 1920 Akali Dal, 1966 Punjabi state, 1973 Anandpur Sahib, 1980, June 1984, 31 October 1984, July 1985, 1992, 1997.

Key quotations

Short lines worth knowing by heart: who says them, when, and why they matter.

The Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism in India.
NCERT, Politics in India since Independence, Chapter 7: On the Anandpur Sahib Resolution of 1973.
Shows the textbook's own reading of the resolution, essential for a balanced answer.

Punjab in the 1980s: Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Violence and the Punjab Accord: key facts

Punjab timeline: 1920 Akali Dal
1966 Punjabi-speaking state
1967 and 1977 Akali governments
1973 Anandpur Sahib
1980 Akali government dismissed
June 1984 Operation Blue Star
31 Oct 1984
July 1985 Accord
1992
1997; Use for arrange-in-order questions.
Punjab Accord terms: Chandigarh to Punjab
Commission on Punjab-Haryana border
Tribunal on Ravi-Beas waters
Compensation and better treatment
Withdrawal of AFSPA in Punjab; Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand Singh Longowal, July 1985.
Violence against Sikhs 1984: About a week
More than 2,000 killed in Delhi
Hundreds elsewhere: Kanpur, Bokaro, Chas
Apology in Parliament 2005; Manmohan Singh spoke in the Rajya Sabha on 11 August 2005 (picture caption).
Return to normal politics: 1992 turnout 24 per cent
Mid-1990s peace
1997 Akali Dal (Badal) and BJP win
Politics back on secular lines; First normal elections after militancy.

How to answer Punjab in the 1980s: Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Violence and the Punjab Accord questions

Write a neutral chronological answer: background, demand, escalation, accord, return of normal politics. Attribute every assessment ('NCERT says', 'a large proportion of Sikhs saw').

1Begin with the 1966 creation of the Punjabi-speaking state and the Akali political position.
2State the Anandpur Sahib Resolution's demand and NCERT's description of it as a plea for federalism.
3Describe the escalation to insurgency and the events of 1984 factually.
4List the five provisions of the 1985 Punjab Accord.
5Close with the difficult decade, 1992 turnout and the 1997 election.

Punjab in the 1980s: Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Violence and the Punjab Accord in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Autonomy within a federation

Suppose a state's leaders pass a resolution asking for more powers over taxes and resources, saying a stronger state strengthens the union, while many of their own voters show little interest in it.

Which feature of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution does this resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The resolution asserted regional autonomy and wanted to redefine centre-state relations; NCERT calls it a plea for strengthening federalism.
It had a limited appeal among the Sikh masses.

Answer: It resembles a demand for autonomy within federalism that had limited mass appeal.

Memory hook: More power to the state, still one union.

Settling by accord

Suppose two groups in a dispute agree that a shared town will be handed over, an independent panel will settle a border and another panel will divide river water.

Which NCERT agreement had provisions of this kind?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The July 1985 Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord provided for transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, a commission on the border and a tribunal on Ravi-Beas waters.
These show that disputes were to be settled through commissions and tribunals.

Answer: The Punjab Accord of July 1985.

Memory hook: Town, border, water.

Tricks to remember Punjab in the 1980s: Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Violence and the Punjab Accord

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

20-66-73
Akali Dal 1920, Punjabi state 1966, Anandpur Sahib 1973.
Use it when: Early dates.
June, October, July
1984 June Blue Star, 1984 October assassination, 1985 July Accord.
Use it when: Order of the key events.
C-B-W-C-A
Chandigarh, Border commission, Water tribunal, Compensation, AFSPA withdrawal.
Use it when: Terms of the Accord.
24 and 97
24 per cent turnout in 1992; 1997 first normal elections.
Use it when: Return to normal politics.

Punjab in the 1980s: Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Violence and the Punjab Accord: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Who led the Punjabi suba movement · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The movement for a 'Punjabi suba' was led by the:
(A) Indian National Congress
(B) Akali Dal
(C) Janata Party
(D) Swatantra Party

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

NCERT: the Akali Dal, formed in 1920 as the political wing of the Sikhs, led the movement for a Punjabi suba (1 mark).

Answer: (B) Akali Dal

Example 2: Anandpur Sahib Resolution · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

State any two aspects of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution of 1973. (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

It asserted regional autonomy and sought to redefine centre-state relations (1 mark).
It spoke of the aspirations of the Sikh qaum and was a plea for strengthening federalism (1 mark).

Answer: The resolution asserted regional autonomy and wanted to redefine the centre-state relationship. It also spoke of the aspirations of the Sikh qaum (community or nation), and NCERT describes it as a plea for strengthening federalism in India.

Example 3: Assertion and reason on the Accord · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): The Punjab Accord of 1985 could not bring peace immediately.
Reason (R): The cycle of violence continued for nearly a decade, with militancy and counter-insurgency excesses.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false but (R) is true.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

NCERT says peace did not come easily or immediately, and violence went on for nearly a decade.
R states what happened and explains A (1 mark).

Answer: (A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Example 4: Provisions of the Punjab Accord · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

List the main provisions of the Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord of July 1985. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Chandigarh to be transferred to Punjab (1 mark).
A separate commission for the Punjab-Haryana border dispute; a tribunal for sharing of Ravi-Beas waters among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan (1 mark).
Compensation and better treatment for those affected by militancy (1 mark).
Withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Punjab (1 mark).

Answer: The accord between Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand Singh Longowal, President of the Akali Dal, provided that Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab. A separate commission was to be appointed to resolve the border dispute between Punjab and Haryana, and a tribunal was to decide the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. It also provided for compensation and better treatment of those affected by militancy and for the withdrawal of the application of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Punjab.

Example 5: Source-based: Punjab politics · 4 marks · Source-basedHarder board level

Read the passage: "After the reorganisation, the Akalis came to power in 1967 and then in 1977. On both the occasions it was a coalition government. The Akalis discovered that despite the redrawing of the boundaries, their political position remained precarious. Firstly, their government was dismissed by the Centre midway through its term. Secondly, they did not enjoy strong support among the Hindus. Thirdly, the Sikh community was internally differentiated on caste and class lines. The Congress got more support among the Dalits, whether Hindu or Sikh, than the Akalis."
(i) In which two years did the Akalis come to power after reorganisation?
(A) 1957 and 1967 (B) 1967 and 1977 (C) 1977 and 1980 (D) 1966 and 1984
(ii) What kind of governments were they?
(A) Single-party majority (B) Coalition (C) Military-backed (D) Caretaker
(iii) What happened to the Akali government midway through its term?
(A) It resigned voluntarily (B) It was dismissed by the Centre (C) It merged with Congress (D) It won a vote of confidence
(iv) Among which group did the Congress get more support than the Akalis?
(A) Industrialists (B) Dalits, Hindu or Sikh (C) Students only (D) Government employees
Choose the correct option for each.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(i) 1967 and 1977, so (B) (1 mark).
(ii) Coalition, so (B) (1 mark).
(iii) Dismissed by the Centre, so (B) (1 mark).
(iv) Dalits, Hindu or Sikh, so (B) (1 mark).

Answer: (i) B; (ii) B; (iii) B; (iv) B

Example 6: HOTS: from autonomy demand to accord · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Trace how a demand for autonomy in Punjab turned into a cycle of violence and then an accord, and discuss what the episode shows about accommodating regional aspirations in a federation. Use NCERT, report events neutrally and attribute views. (6 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Background: Punjabi state in 1966, Akali governments of 1967 and 1977, precarious political position (1 mark).
Anandpur Sahib Resolution 1973: autonomy and federalism; limited appeal; water and identity issues after 1980 (1 mark).
Escalation: leadership to extremists, Golden Temple, Operation Blue Star in June 1984 and its effect on Sikh sentiments (1 mark).
Assassination of 31 October 1984 and violence against Sikhs; apology in 2005 (1 mark).
Accord of July 1985 and its terms; decade of violence and 1992 turnout of 24 per cent (1 mark).
Assessment: peace by mid-1990s, 1997 election, return of politics on secular lines; dialogue and democratic process accommodate aspirations (1 mark).

Answer: Punjab became a Punjabi-speaking state in 1966 after the Akali Dal's movement for a Punjabi suba. The Akalis formed coalition governments in 1967 and 1977 but found their position precarious: one government was dismissed by the Centre midway, they lacked strong support among Hindus, and the Sikh community was divided by caste and class. In 1973 a section of Akalis passed the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, which asserted regional autonomy and sought to redefine centre-state relations; NCERT calls it a plea for strengthening federalism and says its appeal among the Sikh masses was limited. After 1980 the Akali Dal launched a movement over river-water sharing, and some religious leaders raised the question of an autonomous Sikh identity.

The movement's leadership then passed to extremist elements, who made the Golden Temple their headquarters. In June 1984 the Government carried out Operation Blue Star; NCERT says it flushed out the militants but damaged the temple and deeply hurt Sikh sentiments, and a large proportion of Sikhs saw it as an attack on their faith. On 31 October 1984 Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her bodyguards, after which violence against Sikhs lasted for almost a week and over two thousand Sikhs were killed in Delhi. In 2005 the Prime Minister apologised in Parliament.

In July 1985 Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand Singh Longowal reached the Punjab Accord. Yet violence continued for nearly a decade, President's rule was imposed, and only 24 per cent of electors voted in 1992. Peace returned by the mid-1990s and the Akali Dal (Badal)-BJP alliance won in 1997. The episode shows that autonomy demands in a democratic federation were finally handled through dialogue and electoral politics, though at heavy human cost.

Where students lose marks in Punjab in the 1980s: Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Violence and the Punjab Accord

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Reading the Anandpur Sahib Resolution as only a secessionist demand
Mixing it with later militant demands.
Wrong working
The resolution demanded a separate country.
Right working
NCERT says it asserted regional autonomy, wanted centre-state relations redefined, and was a plea for strengthening federalism.
Do this: Quote NCERT's description exactly.
Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks.
Mistake: Dating the assassination and Blue Star wrongly
Both events of 1984.
Wrong working
Operation Blue Star in October 1984.
Right working
Blue Star: June 1984; assassination: 31 October 1984.
Do this: Use 'June, October, July' trick.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Blaming a community
Generalising from individuals.
Wrong working
Sikhs were responsible for violence.
Right working
A section of leaders and extremist elements took to armed insurgency; the assassins were two Sikh bodyguards; innocent Sikhs were then targeted.
Do this: Name actors precisely and avoid collective blame.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Omitting the AFSPA provision
Only Chandigarh and water remembered.
Wrong working
Accord: Chandigarh and river water only.
Right working
Five provisions including compensation and AFSPA withdrawal.
Do this: Use C-B-W-C-A.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

Keep a neutral tone: use verbs such as 'asserted', 'demanded', 'carried out', not adjectives of judgement.
Give the Accord's five provisions in a numbered list.
Mention 1992 turnout of 24 per cent and 1997 election to show the return to normal politics.
Attribute the view that Operation Blue Star hurt sentiments to 'a large proportion of Sikhs' as NCERT does.

Practice questions on Punjab in the 1980s: Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Violence and the Punjab Accord

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Under the 1985 Punjab Accord, a tribunal was to decide the sharing of Ravi-Beas waters among Punjab, Haryana and:
(A) Himachal Pradesh
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Gujarat
(D) Uttar Pradesh
Hint
The third state in the accord.
Answer
(B) Rajasthan.
Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
Name the two persons who signed the 1985 Punjab Accord and state the post held by each at the time. (2 marks)
Hint
Prime Minister and Akali Dal president.
Answer
Rajiv Gandhi, the Prime Minister, and Harchand Singh Longowal, the President of the Akali Dal.
Q3 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level
Assertion (A): Operation Blue Star was carried out in the Golden Temple in June 1984.
Reason (R): Militants had made the Golden Temple their headquarters and turned it into an armed fortress.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false but (R) is true.
Hint
Why was an army action ordered there?
Answer
(A) Both are true and R gives the reason, as NCERT states it, for the operation.
Q4 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
The Punjab Accord of July 1985 was signed to restore peace, yet peace did not return immediately. Explain, using NCERT, why normal politics took so long to return to Punjab. (4 marks)
Hint
Think of the decade of violence, the Akali Dal, President's rule and the 1992 turnout.
Answer
NCERT says peace did not come easily. Violence continued for nearly a decade, and there were police excesses and human rights violations. The Akali Dal fragmented, and President's rule suspended normal politics. Only 24 per cent of electors voted in the 1992 elections. Militancy was eventually eradicated by security forces, peace returned by the mid-1990s, and the 1997 election, won by the Akali Dal (Badal)-BJP alliance, was the first normal election after militancy.
Q5 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Why did NCERT say that the Akalis' political position remained precarious even after Punjab was reorganised? Give three reasons. (4 marks)
Hint
Dismissal, Hindu support, internal differences.
Answer
First, their government was dismissed by the Centre midway through its term. Second, they did not enjoy strong support among Hindus. Third, the Sikh community was internally differentiated on caste and class lines, and the Congress received more support among Dalits, Hindu or Sikh, than the Akalis.
Q6 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
NCERT reports that many Sikhs were hurt most by the slow restoration of normalcy and lack of punishment after 1984. Explain why remedies such as apologies and commissions matter in a democracy, referring to the passage on 2005, without blaming any party. (4 marks)
Hint
Nanavati Commission, Prime Minister's apology.
Answer
NCERT states that what hurt the Sikhs most was the long time taken to restore normalcy and the lack of effective punishment of those who carried out the violence. More than two decades later, in 2005, the Prime Minister expressed regret in Parliament and apologised to the nation, calling the events a negation of the concept of nationhood enshrined in the Constitution. The Justice Nanavati Commission report of 2005 is also quoted. Inquiries and public apology acknowledge harm, restore trust among citizens and affirm constitutional values, which helps heal a community's sense of justice.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.In which year was the Punjabi-speaking state created?Show answer
1966.
2.What does 'qaum' mean in NCERT's explanation?Show answer
Community or nation.
3.Which city was to be transferred to Punjab under the 1985 Accord?Show answer
Chandigarh.
4.What percentage of electors voted in the 1992 Punjab elections?Show answer
24 per cent.
5.Which alliance won the 1997 election in Punjab?Show answer
The alliance of the Akali Dal (Badal) and the BJP.

Punjab in the 1980s: Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Violence and the Punjab Accord: frequently asked questions

What was Operation Blue Star?

It was the code name for army action in the Golden Temple, Amritsar, in June 1984, to flush out militants who had made it their headquarters.

Why was Punjab's reorganisation delayed to 1966?

NCERT notes that while the rest of the country was reorganised on linguistic lines in the 1950s, Punjab had to wait till 1966 for a Punjabi-speaking state.

What happened to normal politics during the violence?

The central government imposed President's rule and the normal electoral and political process was suspended.

When did peace return to Punjab?

By the middle of the 1990s.