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Home , Baba Kharak Singh, Central Sikh League, Kharak Singh

Mukt Shabd Journal ISSN NO : 2347-3150

MANPREET KAUR RESEARCH SCHOLOR DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, PUNJABI UNIVERSITY PATIALA. [email protected]

Baba : A True Patrotic

f;ob¤E j? fJj ;{owkA, vkYktZvknwho d/P e"w d/ tk;s/, j'fJnknzs |eho .1

According to a Persian author:

„nk B wBpkPwfeo'i/ izrphBh g[Ps/ wB nkwB¤wfedofwnkB/ yke'^y{B phBh ;o/‟

Means that:“I am not the one who shows back at the time of armed conflict, but I am that person whose head you will see with blood and clay”.2

The emergence of Kharak Singh as a front-rank leader of the Sikh renaissance in the early twentieth century remains a phenomenon. Born on June 6, 1868 A.D. at (now in ) in a family that belonged to the elite in the Sikh class propelled by the British, he found himself uneasy in the life- style and pretensions of the people among he grew up. His family was considered as one of the families of the chiefs of the .3 His father, Hari Singh, had made a good name and fortune as a government contractor and industrialists. cleared his examination in matriculation from Mission High School and he passed his intermediate from Murray Collage both were in Sialkot.4 Baba Kharak Singh joined the Government Collage in to graduate. In 1888 due to his father‟s death, he could not

1 Bhai Vishakha Singh, Malwa Ithaas , Gurusagar Lehera, Panth Parcharak , Amritsar. 2Sardar Pream Singh Pream, Kurbaani De Punj, Panjab State University Texted Book Board, Chandigarh, 1987,p.9. 3Radha Kundan Mukhrjee (ed.), Baba Kharak Singh AbhinandanGranth, Delhi, 1953, p. 178. 4Asli Kaumi Dard, 20 June 1927, Amritsar.

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complete the B.A. Examination. He graduated in 1889 from the Panjab University, Lahore and to him goes the honour of belonging to the first batch which graduated from the university.5

However, he possessed such qualities that groomed him into a chairmantics leader. Kharak Singh initially attracted the pro-British Sikh elite who had organized themselves into Chief Diwan. They invited Kharak Singh to become the Chairman of Reception Committee for the Sikh Educational Conference held at Sialkot in 1912. In this capacity he demonstrated his zeal to serve the Sikh community with dedication .Baba Kharak Singh actively entered into public life in 1912 when he was elected chairman of the Reception Committee of the 5th session of the All-India Sikh Educational Conference held in Sialkot.6 In 1915, the 7th session of the All-India Sikh Educational Conference was proposed to be held in Taran Taran (Distt. Amritsar). Due to the firing which took place at Baj- Baj Ghat (Calcutta) on the passengers of the “Kama Gata Maru” and the atrocities committed on who had returned from Canada, there was a strong resentment against the government and its supporters. The sponsors of the Sikh Educational Conference were being criticised by the extremist section of Sikhs for their pro-government activities.7 It was very difficult for the Reception Committee of the conference to find a suitable president for the ensuing session. Eventually, the Sir Sunder Singh Majithia, Sardar Shivdev Singh Oberoi of Sialkot, the Sardar Harbans Singh Attari, Sardar Singh of Daska and other leading Executive members of the Chief Khalsa Diwan made an approach to Baba Kharak Singh and requested him to preside over the session of the conference in Taran Taran and thus save Sikhs at the critical moment. Kharak Singh agreed to the request and went to preside over the conference in procession in a state coach drawn by six horses. When Baba Kharak Singh was asked to get into the procession-coach at Taran Taran he refused to do so on the plea that as he was going to pay his homage to Dev‟s darbar at Taran Taran, it was not in accordance with the Sikh traditions that Guru‟s Sikh should go in a majestic manner to offer his obeisance to the Lord. Kharak Singh walked on foot from the railway station to Darbar Sahib and thousands followed him. This was a unique example which created a very deep impression

5 Radha Kundan Mukhrjee (ed.), , pp. 178-179. 6 Mohinder Singh, Baba Kharak Singh and India’s struggle for freedom, National Book Trust India, New Delhi, 2008, p. 13. 7 Ibid, pp.13-14.

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amongst the public about Baba Kharak Singh‟s multicity of character and his high devotion to Gurus.8

During those days, First World War was going on. The Sikhs were well reputed for their loyalty to the British Raj and they helped the government out of all proportion of their numerical strength. It was customary to move a resolution from the chair for the victory of the British in the war.9 The secretary of the conference, the Sardar Shivdev Singh Oberoi (who was a great friend of Baba Kharak Singh) asked Kharak Singh to move the resolution for British soldiers:

“We pray that British may win the War and their rule may last permanently in India.”

Thereupon, Baba Kharak Singh flared up and refused to move the resolution. It surprised the sponsors of the conference as never before had any one objected to the resolution which was more or less stereotyped. “In the first place, I do not believe that any Raj can last forever; hence I do not pray for a false thing. In the second place, I do not wish to ask the Lord Almighty to keep my country in perpetual bondage under the British. Then why pray for a thing which is not right. I am sorry I cannot move this resolution,”10 contended Baba Kharak Singh. This was the first occasion when the leaders of the chief Khalsa Diwan come to know of the real nature of Baba Kharak Singh and that put them on their guard. After this incident, Chief Kalsa Diwan took Kharak Singh as member of the Sikh Education Conference.11

Hitherto, Kharak Singh had confined his activities to educational, social and cultural spheres, though in his heart he was feeling the pangs which foreign domination brings. In 1919, the Massacre of Jallianwala Bagh took place and the subsequent events of the Martial Law regime in the Punjab convinced all fair-minded Indians that the proper remedy laid in ousting the foreigners and establish the home rule instead. The whole of India was a stir and a storm of resentment was raging all over. In December 1919, the annual session of the Indian National Congress was held in Amritsar under the President ship of Pandit Motilal Nehru. The Sikhs, who until now had been with the British government and were well reputed for their loyalty to the British Raj, began to feel disgusted with the policy of the British bureaucracy in India. They

8Radha Kundan Mukhrjee (ed.), Baba Kharak Singh AbhinandanGranth, Delhi, 1953, pp. 181-182. 9Mohinder Singh, Baba Kharak Singh and India’s struggle for freedom , p.19. 10Asli Kaumi Dard, 10 June, 1927, Amritsar. 11Radha Kundan Mukhrjee (ed.) , 1953, p. 181-182.

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decided to join national character. Consequently, a new political organization, known as was formed in March 1919 and its first session was held in Amritsar on the occasion of the Congress session. M.K. Gandhi, Lok Maneya Tilak, Pandit Malviya, Motilal Nehru, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Dr. Ansari, Ali Brothers, Dr. Kitchlew and several other big leaders attended the session of the Sikh League. Many speeches were made wherein the Sikhs were exhorted to rise to the occasion and join hands with congress and other progressive movement so as to liberate India from foreign yoke. Baba Kharak Singh also attended the session. Baba Kharak Singh sought permission of the sponsors of the league to speak. He vehemently criticised the policies of British imperialism that had no right to exploit India in the name of peace, law and order.12 He appealed to the Sikhs to join progressive forces and get ready to free their motherland. This was the first occasion when the public came to know the political views of Baba Kharak Singh. Thenceforward, the progressive elements amongst the Sikhs began to look upon Kharak Singh as the champion of freedom.

Babe-di-ber was first Gurudwara under the series of reform movement.13In August, 1920, a of about 100 Sikhs, headed by Sardar Amar Singh Jhabal, went to the historic of at Sialkot (popularly known as Babe-Di-Ber) to change its management which was at that time in the hands of an apostate Sikh whom the Deputy Commissioner had appointed as the Sarbrah (Custodian).14 After a strong agitation carried on for several days the leaders of the Jatha decided to approach Kharak Singh and requested him to kindly take charge of the whole movement and thus give them the lead. This was the most crucial stage in Baba Kharak Singh‟s life. Hitherto he had not indulged in any kind of public service which required arduous Labour and hard struggle and consequently entailed long suffering. A voice from within urged Kharak Singh to leave his home and comforts and plunge headlong into the field of active service of the Panth and country.15

The voice of truth eventually prevailed upon Kharak Singh and he decided to join the movement. He came out to serve the Panth and India with the firm resolve and sanguine determination that he will not return to his palatial house for rest and comforts until he had

12Hindustan Times, 9 June, 1927, Delhi. 13Mohinder Singh, The (pbi), Punjabi Uni. Publication, Patiala, 2015, p. 23. 14Teja Singh, Gurudwara Reform Movement and the Sikh Awakening, Delhi, 1978, p. 124. 15Asli Kaumi Dard, 10 June, 1927, p. 3.

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liberated his motherland and vindicated the honour of his Panth. The subsequent events have fully justified the Baba‟s determination and have established beyond any doubt that those who resolve to serve with high motives must leave “an easy home and popular manners.”16

A special session of the Indian National Congress was held in September, 1920, in Calcutta under the presidentship of the Lala Lajpat Rai. In 1920, preached non- violent non- cooperation and appealed to the nation to boycott all the government institutions and adopt Swadeshi. In Punjab Congress appealed to Central Sikh League to lead the movement. Kharak Singh happily accepted Congress offer because the disturbances due to the Martial law in all over the Punjab. On 20th October 1920 in the historical session of Central Sikh League was held in the Bradlaugh Hall, Lahore, Mahatma Gandhi, Ali brothers and Dr, Kitchlew also participated in this session. Kharak Singh attacked on British Imperialism in his presidential speech. He fervently appealed to Sikhs to participate in the movement. Dr. Kitchlew rightly said, “to Baba Kharak Singh goes the credit of bringing the Sikh community in to the national fold.”17

Due to the brutal and unlawful activities of the Mahants with the cooperation of British Government, Sikh started the Gurudwara Reform movement on 1920. Kharak Singh was elected as the president of the Shiromani GurdwaraParbandhak Committee and he actively agitated against the anti-elements of the Sikh States.

Due to the activities of profligate Mahants at and butchering of 260 Sikhs on February 21st, 1921, this engaged the entire Sikh community. And the Sikhs launched an agitation against the Mahants and the British Government.18 In this connection Baba Kharak Singh elected the president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to free their holy shrine from the hands of Mahants. Kharak Singh launched a campaign to take back the keys of ToshaKhana (The treasury) of at Amritsar, due to the pressure of masses government passed the keys in the custody of Deputy Commissioner of the District.19

Kharak Singh agitated against this government act and demands for the keys in the hands of the Sikhs. He was arrested at Ajnala (20 miles from Amritsar in North). He was arrested under

16 Radha Kundan Mukhrjee (ed.), Baba Kharak Singh Abhinadan Granth, Delhi, 1953, p. 184. 17 Ibid, p. 181. 18Asli Kaumi Dard, 10 June, 1927, Amritsar, p. 4. 19The Civil and Military Gazette, 7 August, 1921, Lahore.

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the section of 144 with his colleagues. Thousands of the Sikhs followed suit and soon the Punjab jails were full with the Sikhs, who would not rest until Kharak Singh was released unconditional and the keys of Darbar Sahib were returned to him on January 17, 1922.20 Kharak Singh and his colleague together with thousands of the Sikhs were released and before gathering of about two Lakhs of Sikhs at Takhat Sahib Amritsar. The representative of the British Government gave the keys to Kharak Singh. In this connection Gandhi sent a telegram to Kharak Singh,

“First decisive battle for India’s freedom won, congratulation”21

Unconditional release of the Akali prisoners and surrender of the keys to Baba Kharak Singh has been described by a contemporary European writer, Komma, in the following manner:

“Never was there a more shameful defeat. One thinks irresistibly of the capture of Calais by an English King when the leading citizens had to bring the keys to him clothed only in their shirts and with ropes round their necks……. The Panjab Government had humbled itself to the dust before the Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee…….”22

This was the great reputation of the public to Kharak Singh and Sikhs called him as their „Uncrown King‟.23

In February 1922 Kharak Singh selected the president of the Punjab Provincial Congress at the place of Lala Lajpat Rai due to his imprisonment.

Commenting in the issue of February, 1922, in the „Young India‟, Mahatma Gandhi wrote under the caption “An Excellent Choice”:

“I congratulate the Punjab Provincial Congress Committee on its decision to elect Sardar Kharak Singh as its President. The Reputation that Sardar Sahib holds for high character and bravery would give added strength to the cause of the Indian National Congress in the Punjab.

20Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol. XXII, p. 170. 21Ganda Singh (ed.), Some confidential papers of Akali Movement, p. 11. 22Komma, ‘ Situation of Sikhs in Panjab’ , Pandrewaada Padchol, September, 1923. 23 Sardar Pream Singh Pream, Kurbaani De Punj, Punjab state university , text book Board, Chandigarh.

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In doing so the Congress has honoured itself more than it has honoured Sardar Sahib. It is indeed an excellent choice.”24

Kharak Singh took huge support from the masses of Punjab for the Congress and the freedom of India.25 Against the regulation of the Arms Act of British government Kharak Singh open his own factories for the manufacturing of the Kirpansin 1922, these factories sealed many times on the orders of Government. Kharak Singh refused to take the special class jail rooms and choose normal jail like his other companions in 1922.

The jail authorities issued an ordered under which the political prisoners were not allowed to wear anything which formed a part of their National dress for instance the Sikhs were not to wear black turbans and the Hindus and Muslims to were not to wear Gandhian caps. Black turban forcibly removed from the head of Kharak Singh and as a protestant he and all of fellow prisoners decided to take off their clothes except Kachha and Dhoti. In Jail Sir John Maynard, the then Home member of the Punjab Government, visited to Kharak Singh and said him to put on his clothes because government allowed him to wear black turban., but Kharak Singh refused his advice because Government did not allow his Hindu and Muslim friends to wear Gandhian caps. Kharak Singh released from jail after fulfillment of the imprison terms on 4th June 1927.26 Kharak Singh elected president of the Gurudwara Central Board constituted under the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925. After his release welcome programs were organized in deferent places of Punjab.27

ihT[ nkfJnk B{z efp¤s ^ XzBXzBXzBpkpkXzB j' yVef;zx, o'wo'wGky/ f;¤y fjzd{ s[oekBh dk P/oKtKrvN e/ bzxkJ/ fdB[z fpgsk d/, MfbnkdpkT[ Bk je{wsfprkBh dk byKtkotkoB/ eo'VtkoikJhJ/ s?E"A, fpqXpq/; ezwefonKitkBh dk e"w dk ;skok ;kohfjzd dk fgnkoknk:k, skfjT[ sK u[c/foT[ “ihT[ nkJ/” B{z pykBh dk (;kEh b[fXnkBth )

24Young India, February, 1922. 25 Giani , Akali Lehar De Mhaan Neta, Bhai Jawhar Singh, Kirpal Singh and Co., Amritsar. 26Asli Kaumi Dard, 10 June, 1927, Amritsar. 27Asli Kaumi Dard, 4 June, 1927, Amritsar.

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Kharak Singh opposed the visit of on 1928 in Lahore. In the public gathering at Lahore, Kharak Singh convinced the public through a famous speech when due to the fear of police they were started going out from the conference,

“In the fight for India’s freedom if you find a bullet in my back do not count me as one amongst the Sikhs of the Gurus and do not cremate my dead saint-soldier and is supposed to fight in the vanguard and face the bullet in the chest and not in the back .We, the Sikhs, shall never allow any foreigner to rule our Motherland and we shall brook no injustice.‟‟28

Congress published its report which known as consisted with the communal representations on 20 August 1928. He opposed the Report until the Congress Party shelved it and took action to secure the Sikh‟s concurrence in the framing of constitutional proposals in the future. He was also totally disagreed with its demand for dominion status for the India except of complete freedom.29

In 1931, Baba Kharak Singh Launched another Morcha at Daska (District Sialkot, now in West Pakistan). He was again sent to jail in 1931 but was released after six months.30 He was rearrested in 1932 and served another 9 months in jail. He opposed the Communal Award of 1932 which gave the statutory majority to Muslims in Punjab,31 he traveled so many times to jails due to his moderate speeches in public gatherings. In 1935 he was again arrested due to his criticism the Communal Award. He was arrested and sent to jail for his participation in Satyagraha Movement in 1940.32 Opposing the help in Second World War to the British and told in a public gathering,

“Why should we help those who put hundreds of thousands of our compatriots in prison? Let them fight their own battle and let not the Indian solders spill their blood for those who have so ungratefully ignored our services in the previous War.”

Kharak Singh opposed the Lahore resolution of Muslim League for the demand of Pakistan on 23 March 1940 and told that the demand of Pakistan was the planning of Britishers

28The Hidustan Times, 30 November, 1928, Delhi. 29Ajit Singh Sarhadi, Punjabi Sube di Gatha (pbi.), Lok Geet Parkashan,Sirhand, p. 58. 30 Harjinder Singh Dilgeer, Sikh History-5 Betrayal of the Sikhs ( 1926-1947), vol. 5, Singh Brothers, Amritsar, p. 78. 31Radha Kundan Mukhrjee (ed.), Baba Kharak Singh AbhinandanGranth, Delhi, 1953, p. 203. 32 Ibid, p. 209.

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to divide the united India. He also opposed the demand of Azad Punjab Scheme of Master in 1943.33 He was one of those leaders who unhesitatingly took up the cause of Indian National Army in 1945. He supported the Congress in General elections of 1946 and took aspirations for Congress. Kharak Singh advised to Congress and Nehru to not to accept anything which fell short of complete independence. After partition he shifted in Kullu valley from Sialkot.

The first elections took place in India in 1952 under the new constitution. Kharak Singh supported the Congress and appealed to Indian electorate to vote for it. Kharak Singh died on 6th October 1963. It is interesting when he was at last moment of his life doctors declared died to him but when Nehru arrival in hospital and asked to doctors about reasoning they replied that he is technically died, so he had struggled till lasting of his life.34

At the end of his life no power of the world could demolished his spirit in the sake of his nation. Every officials of the British government had known about the stand of Baba Kharak Singh. From the starting of his political carrier he never turns back from his objectives. He was a true Sikh who always cares every community in every situation. When he was in jail, he did not accept the offer of the British government to wear his turban alone to expect his Hindu companions to wear their caps. He never turns from his aims till his death in 1963. He was truly a great patrotic and be ever remember by the Inadian people.

33Akhtar Hussain Sandhu, Punjab an Anatomy of Muslim-Sikh Politics, Pak Institute of Regional Studies, Lahore, 2014, p. 277. 34RadhaKundanMukhrjee (ed.), Baba Kharak Singh AbhinandanGranth, Delhi, 1953, p. 224.

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