Harcharan Singh Longowal

Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with Akali leader Harcharan Singh Longowal in New Delhi on July 23, 1985, a day prior to the signing of the Punjab Accord.

Harchand Singh Longowal was President of Akali Dal at the time of the Punjab insurgency. Born in 1928, he was assassinated in 1985 soon after signing the accord with the Rajiv Gandhi government. Called the Punjab Accord, it provided for the acceptance of all major demands of the Akali Dal.

He was known affectionately as "Sant Ji".