DOCSLIB.ORG

315 T/Ie Punjab Appropriation [ RAJYA SABHA ] (No

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
315 T/Ie Punjab Appropriation [ RAJYA SABHA ] (No 315 T/ie Punjab Appropriation [ RAJYA SABHA ] (No. 2) Bill, 1984 316 Punjab Apropriation (No. 2) Bill, 1984 has been placed before this House lor consideration indicates the state of affairs that is obtaining today in Punjab. Sir, you are aware that under article 356 of the Constitu!io;i, administration of the State of Punjab wns taken over by Ihe President of India, and as a consequence of that pro- clamation and Act made by the President of India, Parliament is benig asked to pass the Punjab Appropriation Bill. As we have seen, since 6th October, 1983, when the President's Rule was imposed in Punjab, the state of affairs which has developed in Punjab has become a national problem. The other day, my esteemed colleague Mr. Darbara Singh had rightly stated that the problem of Punjab was not a problem of Punjab alone; it was a national problem. Sir, in Punjab, when, the Slate administra- tion was taken over by the President of India, it was stated that in order to help overcome the impasse the State was under- going, the imposition of President's Rule was essential. So the State Government was dismissed, though the State Legislative Assembly was not dissolved. Naturally, it was taken for granted, when the State Government was dismissed that the State Government was not capable of handling the situation obtaining at that time. But. after that, we saw a new set of Govern- ors with a new set of advisers, the police directors, etc. All these people were com- missioned for handling the Punjab situa- tion. But what happened in June, 1984? We saw that even the Central administra- tion proved to be ineffective or incapable of handling the situation. And as a result, army operations had to take place. In fact, though this Parliament is being called upon to consider the Punjab Appropriation Bill, there is now virtually Army rule in Pun- jab. The Army is ruling Punjab at pres- ent. The Governor has been changed and the advisers who were commissioned to handle the situation have been changed. So il proves that not only was the State Government incapable of handling the Punjab situation, but the Central Govern- ment was also found to be incapable of handling the situation in conformity with civil rule, with the procedures of civil rule, and army rule had to be imposed there. 217 The Punjab Appropriation I 6 AUG. 1984] (Ao. 2) Bill, 1984 318 Sir, before I deal with this particular the army operation. Their shops were aspect, since the discussion is taking place gutted because of the army operation. Their in connection with the consideration and documents, accounts books, everything approval of the Punjab Appropriation Bill, was destroyed. Their sales-lax re- 1 want to draw the attention of the Gov- cords were destroyed. So they ernment, through you, to a specific aspect made certain proposals to the Government which has direct relevance with the App- in regard to their sales-tax assessments and ropriation Bill. Sir, you are aware and other tax assessments, that the assessments everybody is aware that after the so-called should be made on the basis of the prev- extremist activities had gained momentum, ious records because they cannot produce the Army had to enter the Golden Tem- the present accounts records and that they ple complex and there was a pitched bat- should be granted exemption from payment lie between the extremists and the Army of municipal taxes. They want certain and apart from the people who were killed, concessional rates in regard to facilities the shops and buildings located around like water, electricity and telephone till the Golden Temple complex were des- normalcy is restored. troyed. Recently I had gone to Punjab. 1 had visited Amritsar, the Golden Temple Another point is the Government has complex and other parts of that State. I undertaken a scheme of widening the had met the people, the Army authorities, roads, beautifying the area surrounding the temple priests, the local people, the the Golden Temple Complex, creating sort shopkeepers and the residents who had of a palika bazaar like in Delhi, and so on. suffered losses as a consequence of the But the point is they wanted rehabilitation Army action. Along with other Members at the same place. And till the scheme is of this House and the other House, T had implemented, they want that they should be gone there. And we were told by the given alternative shops and arrangements shopkeepers, by the traders who were do- in certain other areas. They have men- ing the business of trading around the tioned the areas where they wanted alter- Golden Temple complex, that as many as native accommodation. Therefore, when we 500 shops "were destroyed and with the are considering this Appropriation Bill I destruction of 500 shops, as many as 800 should be glad if the honourable Minister families have been denied their normal, re- kindly says something on this aspect. In gular earnings. There are other residents the grants that he has asked for there is also who have suffered losses. They had one item—Rehabilitation, Relief and Reset- met the officials. They had come to Delhi tlement. Parliament voted for Rs. 61,19,000 also. They had submitted a memorandum and nothing has been newly charged on to the Central Government regarding com- the Consolidated Fund of India in this Ap- pensation and ofher things. But only Rs. propriation Bill. I want to know what 5.000 on an ad hoc basis has so far been specific steps the Central Government has given as compensation to those shopkeep- proposed or has taken to deal with this ers. Apart from the compensation, they particular problem, the problem of giving have asked the Central Government to con- compensation and rehabilitating the shop- sider certain aspects in their memorandum keepers and the residents who have suff- and some of the aspects are. that their te- ered losses; they have lost almost every- nancy rights which they earned when thev thing in the army operation in and around got the shops under the Tenancy Act. have the Golden Temple Complex. to be protected. They want protection of their tenancy rights on rehabilitation. Then they want immediate settlement of their I want to say one or two points on the claims for compensation, including insur- Punjab issue as a whole. This House had ance claims. Their insurance claims are the opportunity of discussing the whole being denied. And they want that banks matter in a total perspective. And now we should be advised to give loans to them on again have a chance to discuss this Pun- liberal terms, particularly those shop- jab Appropriation Bill. In fact, this Appro- keepers who have suffered losses during priation Bill should have been considere* 319 The Punjab Appropriation [ RAJYA SABHA ] (No. 2) Bill, 1984 320 [Shri Dipen Ghosh] About Kar Seva 1 am nol going to tell by the State Government. But there is an you what we asked them and what they abnormal situation prevailing there. There- told us. We have seen some scenes in fore. I want to know what steps is the Dramas and films where people do the Government taking to overcome this im- construction work while singing and dan- passe. As 1 have already stated, along cing. In fact what is going on in the with some of my colleagues in this House name of Kar Seva is much cruder than and the other House I visited Punjab only what is seen in Bombay films. Some 25- recently. 1 visited the place. [ talked to people line up; they take one brick each the army authorities. Rather, the army and place them in one place chanting the authorities briefed us on how they faced hymns and while doing so TV people the situation, how they entered the Tem- come and take pictures from behind and ple Complex. We also met the priests. We front. We saw it. I am not going to say met the SGPC. We met the ordinary peo- anything on that because Mr. Darbara ple. We talked to them. We also talked Singh is going to speak. He knows it. to the people who were taking part in the so-called Kar Seva. We met Baba We met Baba Kharak Singh at Dera Kharak Singh whom the SGPC, or for Baba Budha Gurdwara. We talked to him. that matter, the Government also had ear- If the damage caused to Akal Takht in ihe Golden Temple Complex is to be repaired,, lier authorised. to undertake the Kar Seva. through Kar Seva, the Sikh masses should SHRl RAMANAND YADAV (Bihar): he roused.. You have to ensure their parti- Santa Singh. cipation in this movement. To my mind for that purpose Baba Kharak Singh is SHRI DIPEN GHOSH: Baba Kharak the best suited person. You may agree or Singh. We also met- in Jalandhar the disagee. 1 have seen the big hall which was grandson of Lala Jagat Narain who was huill through Kar Seva at the instance of killed and son of Ramesh Chandra who Baba Kharak Singh. About 50.1)00 people was also killed. We have with us the could be accommodated in this hall. People views of the priests, the Akalis, ordinary there told me that this work was comp- people, the Sikhs, the Hindus and the leted within the stipulated time. After saints.... seeing that I came to the conclusion that SHRI RAMANAND YADAV (Bihar): Baba Kharak Singh alone can rouse the Do not complicate the matter further.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • FOREWORD the Need to Prepare a Clear and Comprehensive Document
    FOREWORD The need to prepare a clear and comprehensive document on the Punjab problem has been felt by the Sikh community for a very long time. With the release of this White Paper, the S.G.P.C. has fulfilled this long-felt need of the community. It takes cognisance of all aspects of the problem-historical, socio-economic, political and ideological. The approach of the Indian Government has been too partisan and negative to take into account a complete perspective of the multidimensional problem. The government White Paper focusses only on the law and order aspect, deliberately ignoring a careful examination of the issues and processes that have compounded the problem. The state, with its aggressive publicity organs, has often, tried to conceal the basic facts and withhold the genocide of the Sikhs conducted in Punjab in the name of restoring peace. Operation Black Out, conducted in full collaboration with the media, has often led to the circulation of one-sided versions of the problem, adding to the poignancy of the plight of the Sikhs. Record has to be put straight for people and posterity. But it requires volumes to make a full disclosure of the long history of betrayal, discrimination, political trickery, murky intrigues, phoney negotiations and repression which has led to blood and tears, trauma and torture for the Sikhs over the past five decades. Moreover, it is not possible to gather full information, without access to government records. This document has been prepared on the basis of available evidence to awaken the voices of all those who love justice to the understanding of the Sikh point of view.
    [Show full text]
  • Khalistan: a History of the Sikhs' Struggle from Communal Award To
    Khalistan: A History of the Sikhs’ Struggle from Communal Award to Partition of India 1947 This Dissertation is Being Submitted To The University Of The Punjab In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy In History Ph. D Thesis Submitted By Samina Iqbal Roll No. 1 Supervisor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chawla Department of History and Pakistan Studies University of the Punjab, March, 2020 Khalistan: A History of the Sikhs’ Struggle from Communal Award to Partition of India 1947 Declaration I, hereby, declare that this Ph. D thesis titled “Khalistan: A History of the Sikhs’ Struggle from Communal Award to Partition of India 1947” is the result of my personal research and is not being submitted concurrently to any other University for any degree or whatsoever. Samina Iqbal Ph. D. Scholar Dedication To my husband, my mother, beloved kids and all the people in my life who touch my heart and encouraged me. Certificate by Supervisor Certificate by Research Supervisor This is to certify that Samina Iqbal has completed her Dissertation entitled “Khalistan: A History of the Sikhs’ Struggle from Communal Award to Partition of India 1947” under my supervision. It fulfills the requirements necessary for submission of the dissertation for the Doctor of Philosophy in History. Supervisor Chairman, Department of History & Pakistan Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore Submitted Through Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chawla Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chawla Dean, Faculty of Arts & Humanities, University of the Punjab, Lahore. Acknowledgement Allah is most merciful and forgiving. I can never thank Allah enough for the countless bounties.
    [Show full text]
  • Gaining Authority and Legitimacy: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Golden Temple C. 1920–2000 by Gurveen Kaur K
    Gaining Authority and Legitimacy: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Golden Temple c. 1920–2000 by Gurveen Kaur Khurana A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Anthropology and History) in The University of Michigan 2019 Doctoral Committee: Associate Professor Farina Mir, Co-Chair Professor Mrinalini Sinha, Co-Chair Associate Professor William Glover Professor Paul C. Johnson Professor Webb Keane Gurveen Kaur Khurana [email protected] ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5452-9968 © Gurveen Kaur Khurana 2019 DEDICATION To Samarth, Ozzie and Papa ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation is only a part of the journey that began more than ten years ago, and there are many that have made it possible for me to get here. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support along the way. My greatest debt is to my dissertation advisors Mrinalini Sinha and Farina Mir. Mrinalini has supported me through out and has always been a source of intellectual support and more. She has allowed me the freedom to grow and gain from her vast knowledge, while being patient with me finding my way. There are no words that can express my gratitude to her for all that she has done. Farina Mir’s rigor sets high standards for us all and will guide my way over the years. The rest of my committee, Webb Keane, William Glover and Paul Johnson have all been wonderful with their time and support through this dissertation writing. My deepest thanks also to Dilip Menon, Shahid Amin, Sunil Kumar and Neeladri Bhattacharya for the early intellectual training in historical thinking and methodology.
    [Show full text]
  • The Points of Contention
    Gurmat Rehat Maryada The Points of Contention VIZ – A – VIZ Bhai Randhir Singh and the AKJ By: Bhai Manmohan Singh Jee, LA April 1993 Prologue In the early eighties when I had just moved to the United States, I happened to see a Report submitted by an American Sikh belonging to the 3H0, regarding his sojourn of about one year in India. He claimed to have taken Amrit in a Samagam arranged by the Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ) and had developed close relations with some of the Jatha members there. The contents of the report stunned me as he had strongly criticized certain practices and beliefs of the AKJ which he sarcastically referred to as Bhai Randhir Jatha and to its members as Bhai Randhir Sikhs. After complementing that "Bhai Randhir Jatha, like good Gursikhs the world over, are not eaters of filth (meat, fish, eggs) nor do they pollute their consciousness with any intoxicants", the rest of his report strongly condemned the other practices and beliefs of the Jatha. Referring to their use of Keski as a Rahit, he accused them of changing the accepted Sikh Kakaars and called it heretic, schismatic and "an attempt to sabotage the Unity of the Khalsa". He went so far as to bracket the Jatha with "harmless" or so called "minor reforms" such as Nirankari and Namdhari movements. The Gurmat tradition of preparing Gur-Ka-Langar by Amritdharis only, "reeked of Hinduism, elitism, new communalism and totally un-Sikh like". By not reading Raag Mala, "the Bhai Randhir's have attacked the purity and unity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib".
    [Show full text]
  • The Sikhs of the Punjab Revised Edition
    The Sikhs of the Punjab Revised Edition In a revised edition of his original book, J. S. Grewal brings the history of the Sikhs, from its beginnings in the time of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, right up to the present day. Against the background of the history of the Punjab, the volume surveys the changing pattern of human settlements in the region until the fifteenth century and the emergence of the Punjabi language as the basis of regional articulation. Subsequent chapters explore the life and beliefs of Guru Nanak, the development of his ideas by his successors and the growth of his following. The book offers a comprehensive statement on one of the largest and most important communities in India today j. s. GREWAL is Director of the Institute of Punjab Studies in Chandigarh. He has written extensively on India, the Punjab, and the Sikhs. His books on Sikh history include Guru Nanak in History (1969), Sikh Ideology, Polity and Social Order (1996), Historical Perspectives on Sikh Identity (1997) and Contesting Interpretations of the Sikh Tradition (1998). Cambridge Histories Online © Cambridge University Press, 2008 Cambridge Histories Online © Cambridge University Press, 2008 THE NEW CAMBRIDGE HISTORY OF INDIA General editor GORDONJOHNSON President of Wolfson College, and Director, Centre of South Asian Studies, University of Cambridge Associate editors C. A. BAYLY Vere Harmsworth Professor of Imperial and Naval History, University of Cambridge, and Fellow of St Catharine's College J F. RICHARDS Professor of History, Duke University Although the original Cambridge History of India, published between 1922 and 1937, did much to formulate a chronology for Indian history and describe the administrative structures of government in India, it has inevitably been overtaken by the mass of new research published over the past fifty years.
    [Show full text]
  • 3. 13-06-11 Azad Punjab Scheme, Akhtar Sandhu
    Azad Punjab Scheme of the Sikhs ∗ Akhtar Hussain Sandhu Abstract The Akali leadership presented the Azad Punjab Scheme to counter the Pakistan scheme. They sought an ultimate solution to the ongoing communal problem of the Punjab in the redistribution of the British Punjab boundaries between the mixed population of the Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs under the central government. They had not consulted any other stakeholder which left little hope for success but the Akali Sikhs invested all their energies in popularizing the Azad Punjab scheme. A strong opposition emerged against this scheme within the Sikh community. Generally, it is perceived that the Azad Punjab scheme moved by the Akali Sikhs during the British rule was an endeavour to secure a sovereign state but actually it was a move to re-demarcate the Punjab boundaries so that the Sikhs might be able to obtain a balanced proportion of the population in the British Punjab. It was initiated under the threat of the Muslim domination in the provincial assembly and other departments. Not having been a well-argued and efficiently worked-out scheme, it could not convince the decision-makers and the stakeholders within and outside the community. If the scheme had been adopted, the Sikh question would have been more complicated at the end of British rule. Jahangir Tamimi claims that the Indian National Congress forced Sikhs to demand Azad Punjab, Sikhistan or Khalistan, but he has quoted no evidence to prove it. Gurmit Singh is of the opinion that the Azad Punjab scheme was the best solution to the ∗ Lecturer Department of History, Govt.
    [Show full text]
  • Young Tara Singh III
    THE NT FIGHTER DURLAB SINGH • • ¥ • -*% %• J)$\~ AU>JUAAA- / fl «k vo^ h^'J wt*"1* * *J Ut+si 0CT7Z** JeS 4y 6*kc* V M^ - )*itltJ rfWtf^ ^^ TZQJ? 'KT/C^ ^^JlPfrb. C(* *^f*^ as/ J**' <^^y M^ ^yi i^r Sy^iAJ& Sx^™ VAW . V THE VALIANT FIGHTER A BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY OF MASTER TAR A SINGH \ BY DURLAB SINGH Author of "The Rebel President" and "The Sentinel of the East f f 1942 HERO PUBLICATIONS 6, LOWER MALL - LAHORE FIRST PUBLISHED APRIL 1942 Printed by S. A. Latif at the Lion Press, Hospital Road, Lahore and published by Durlab Singh, Proprietor, Hero Publications, 6, Lower Mall, Lahore. > THE AUTHOR a J^\y "DaMgUW T^AdlJNTbA'R KAU'R x yea/;> wa^ Ikthee leaslea^ e of rve/ ealk ac2^\ \\^ ^kadow on Ike ^e\/enfk ^Mmme/ e/ memory ^m^in^ ^\u\ en^k/inecu n minJ^ of ke/ hame/ and mom * • AN APOLOGY ABOUT FOREWORD f I owe an explanation to the readers of this book about the foreword. I approached Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya personally at Allahabad in this connection; but unfortunately he was at that time confined to his sick-bed. The revered Pandit was so frail and weak that he could speak only with great effort. When I presented to him a copy of the book and requested him to honour me with his foreword he said in a faint voice: " Do you know how much love and respect I cherish in my heart for Master Tara Singh ? I would most gladly like to contribute a foreword to his biography, but you know it is physically impossible for me to do that " He, however, added that as soon as there was some improvement in his health and he could sit and write, he would send the foreword to me.
    [Show full text]
  • Cripps Mission Proposals and Muslim-Sikh Relations in the British Punjab
    Akhtar Hussain Sandhu Amna Mahmood CRIPPS MISSION PROPOSALS AND MUSLIM-SIKH RELATIONS IN THE BRITISH PUNJAB Abstract The decade of the 1940s proved unremittingly hard for the British. Their grip over the colonies was tremendously crippled and the mighty imperial power had to come to a compromise with Asian nationalism. The early years of the 1940s convinced them to seek cooperation of the Indian communities on the war issue. This resulted in the dispatch of the Cripps Mission to the Subcontinent. Historians like R. J. Moore see this move as a response to US pressure in the context of rapid Japanese advances in the Asian war theatre. The reality was more complex than this. Cripps found that his efforts in 1942 were hampered by the tension in the Muslim-Sikh relationship in the Punjab. This province was central to the imperial war efforts because of the recruitment to the Indian Army. This article looks into the circumstances and working as well as the impacts of the Cripps Proposals on the Muslim-Sikh relations in the British Punjab. The All-India Muslim League1 and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) 2 emerged as the most powerful and popular political 1 2 [J.R.S.P., Vol. 48, No. 1, 2011] magnets of the Muslims and Sikhs respectively. The League on 23rd March 1940 had announced its future plan for the Muslims by demanding Pakistan while the SAD and other Sikh parties were in a fix regarding futuristic political agenda to cope with the Pakistan scheme and structuring any definite alternative scheme for their community.
    [Show full text]
  • Gurpartap Suraj Granth, 1843 Wrote His Updated History of the Sikhs
    With deep reverence to the great soul and philosopher Mahakavi Bhai Sahib Santokh Singh ji whose great and monumental work Gurpartap Suraj Granth, 1843 (Despite the shortcomings which came to light later on) was straightway acclaimed by a grateful community & Joseph Davey Cunningham who wrote his updated History of the Sikhs, (1849), in advance of his times, Suffered for it, fell a victim to the truth, but gave the Sikh people a definitive account of their history PREFACE Histories of the peoples or of the nations have been written and rewritten continuously. With the rise of nationalism in Europe in the 18th century, histories of various European countries, including that of England, have been rewritten during the 19th century from their respective national perspectives. So has been the case during the present century with the histories of colonised people who during and after the colonial rule have found new contours of their past. History of India too has been rewritten from that perspective. For instance, yesterday’s extremists and terrorists have been acclaimed as today’s heroes and revolutionaries. With the decolonization of the subcontinent in 1947, the Sikhs for the first time in history came under the tutelage of a reviving Hinduism. Brahminism, whenever in ascendance, has been intolerant of non-conforming faiths. It was time for the Sikhs to reexamine their history and draw appropriate lessons. That was all the more so, as there have been persistent attempts to overturn the Sikh history and theology. The beginnings were made in the early 17th century by dissident Minas who in collaboration with Brahmins played havoc with Guru Nanak’s Janam Sakhi, biography.
    [Show full text]
  • Simran Ablaze Ias Academy
    SIMRAN ABLAZE IAS ACADEMY SCO 226 Sector 36-D Chandigarh, Tel 9779190222 ,9988210461 www.simranias.com 1. Who is the current Chief Minister(CM) of Punjab as of 2016-2017? Answer : Amarinder Singh(Political party- Indian National Congress) 2. Who is the current Governor of Punjab as of 2016-2017? Answer : Vijayendra Pal Singh Badnore 3. Who is the current Chief Justice of Punjab as of 2016-2017? Answer : AK Mittal 4. Who is the current Finance Minister of Punjab as of 2017? Answer : Manpreet Singh Badal 5. Who is the Irrigation and Power Minister of Punjab as of 2017? Answer : Rana Gurjeet Singh 6. Who is the current Technical Education Minister of Punjab as of 2017? Answer : Charanjit Singh Channi 7. Who is the current Health and Family Welfare Minister of Punjab as of 2017? Answer : Brahm Mohindra 8. Who is the current Forest Minister of Punjab as of 2016-2017? Answer : Sadhu Singh Dharamsot 9. Who is the current Higher Education and School Education Minister of Punjab as of 2016-2017? Answer : Aruna Chaudhary 10. Who is the current Parliamentary Affairs Minister of Punjab as of 2017? Answer : Brahm Mohindra * Who is the first female Chief Minister of Punjab? Answer : Rajinder Kaur Bhattal(1996-1997) * Who was the past Governor before V. P. Singh Badnore? Answer : Kaptan Singh Solanki 11. Who is the Rural Development Minister of Punjab as of 2016-2017? Answer : Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa 12. What is the real name of wrestler Gama Pehalwan(The Great Gama)? Answer : Ghulam Muhammad Butt 13. Who was the Punjabi person became the 7th Indian President in 1982? Answer : Giani Jail Singh 14.
    [Show full text]
  • App-Gurdwara Movement 1920 Article
    IMPACT: Journal of Research in Applied, Natural And Social Sciences (IMPACT: JRANSS) Vol. 2, Issue 2, Dec 2016, 13-26 © Impact Journals GURDWARA MOVEMENT: 1920-25 AMINA SHAMIM 1 & ASMA NAUREEN 2 1Research Scholar, Department of History, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan 2Lecturer, Department of History & Pakistan Studies, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan ABSTRACT The Akali Sikhs Movement in early twentieth century which started as purely religious movement for the reforms of Sikh’s Holy Shrines, the Sikh religious historical Gurdwaras, soon attained a political character and became part and parcel of India’s freedom struggle. Akali movement variously known as Sikh Gurdwara Reform Movement and sometime called Gurdwara agitations. Akali Movement described how Sikh Community started a long struggle in the early of the twentieth century for the liberation of their Gurdwaras and holy places. The Sikh campaign supported especially from the rural masses, took the form for a peaceful agitation. It was religious gathering for the protest of Sikhs to assert their right to manage their sacred places. Finally the Government had to bow in front of popular pressure and allow the Sikhs to take over the guardianship of their Gurdwaras. Gurudwara act passed in 1925 which made the S.G.P.C a representative body of Sikhs, custodian of all important Sikh holy places. KEYWORDS : Gurdwara Movement, Akali, Agitation, Morcha Policy, Religious and S.G.P.C INTRODUCTION In the early of the 20 th Century Akali Sikhs started a campaign against the Mahants to take over the religious shrines. Akalies started morcha policy to take over the Gurdwaras, some steps for this purpose were, Guru ka Bagh Morcha, Sikhs cut down the woods around the Guru ka Bagh Gurdwara for Guru ka langar police arrested the Akalies at the complain of mahant a care taker at Guru ka Bagh.
    [Show full text]
  • Communalism in the British Punjab During 1937 to 1939: Focus on Religion and Language
    1 Al-Hikmat Volume 35 (2015) pp. 1-21 COMMUNALISM IN THE BRITISH PUNJAB DURING 1937 TO 1939: FOCUS ON RELIGION AND LANGUAGE Akhtar Hussain Sandhu Associate Professor Govt. Islamia College, Civil Lines, Lahore, Pakistan. María Isabel Maldonado García Institute of Languages University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Abstract. The era from 1937 to 1939 has its own importance as the British contended that an effective political system could bridge the communal differences but it hardly met this challenge. This study explores the state of communal riots in the British Punjab during the years 1937 to 1939 due to religious as well as language differences. In 1937, the government reminded the Deputy Commissioners through directives that generally, the people were free in their religious activities but law and order was paramount to be observed. If officers thought religious activities to be dangerous they must be dealt with a heavy hand in order to curtail danger. The Punjab Governor wrote that a clash between agitators and police would be inevitable in this situation “but the alternative is to allow provocative acts to continue with the consequent spread of communal trouble.”i The British policy on religious freedom and law and order seemed tangible and practical as well, nevertheless the state of communal trouble based on religion and language remained acute in the British Punjab. Many counter-moves like a secular setup of the Punjab Unionist Party, apparent evenhandedness of the officials and British patronage of the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh communities seemed to be working as resisting forces to the communal agony.
    [Show full text]