longowal's life of political activism began in june 1964, when he led a demonstration for sikh rights at the historic site of paonta sahib in the present-day state of himachal pradesh. in 1965, longowal became the president of the akali organization in sangrur district and a member of the working committee of the shiromani akali dal. in 1969, he was elected to the punjabi legislative assembly as the akali candidate, defeating the congress party's babu brish bhan, who had been chief minister of patiala and east punjab states union (pepsu).