1 November 1966[EoS]
Creation of the Punjabi Suba
The reorganisation of the Punjab takes effect after two decades of Akali campaigning. A Punjabi-speaking state and the new state of Haryana are formed, with the status of Chandigarh and some Punjabi-speaking areas left in dispute.
Sikh leaders had asked for a Punjabi-speaking state since Partition. A Sikh convention at Amritsar rejected the States Reorganisation Commission's proposals on 16 October 1955, and talks produced the Regional Formula of 1956. A larger campaign in 1960 ended after Sant Fateh Singh's fast of twenty-two days, begun on 18 December. Official figures say 30,000 people went to jail, and Akali figures say 57,129.
Sant Fateh Singh announced a new fast from 10 September 1965, with self-immolation to follow on 25 September. War with Pakistan intervened. On 23 September the Home Minister told the Lok Sabha that a Cabinet committee would pursue the matter, and asked for a parliamentary committee under the Speaker, Hukam Singh.
That committee voted unanimously for a Punjabi-speaking state and reported on 15 March 1966. Indira Gandhi conceded the demand on 23 April, a commission drew the boundaries, and the Punjab Reorganisation Bill went to the Lok Sabha on 3 September. Sant Fateh Singh objected that the new state excluded Chandigarh and some Punjabi-speaking areas, and announced a further fast.[EoS][EoS]