April 4, 1984, Forty Years Ago: Rakesh Sharma becomes the first Indian in space

Prof V N Tiwari, a member of Rajya Sabha, was shot dead by terrorists in Chandigarh and 10 others were killed as mob and police clashed in Amritsar during the funeral procession of BJP leader Harbans Lal Khanna. Punjab and Chandigarh observed near total bandh. Two persons posing as students came to his house and opened fire when Tiwari came down to meet them.

AFSPA In Punjab

In a significant move against terrorism, the Punjab government vested sweeping powers in police and paramilitary forces in the state under the Armed Forces (Punjab and Chandigarh) Special Powers Act, 1983, for a period of three months. The decision came in the wake of mounting terrorist activitiesand mob violence in Punjab. This is the second time that the state administration evoked the special act to curb violence.

PM On Space Flight

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said that with the launching of the first Indian in space, Indo-Soviet friendship had acquired a “new dimension”. “It is a proud occasion for us”, Mrs Gandhi said. She expressed hope that the first Indian cosmonaut would symbolise the message of peace, which was Mahatma Gandhi’s and Jawaharlal Nehru’s legacy to India.