International Journal of Research p-I SSN: 2348-6848 e-I SSN: 2348-795X Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals Vol ume 03 I s s ue 17 November 2016 Role of Sir Chhotu Ram in Punjab Politics Dr. Braham Parkash Associate Professor Deptt. of Political Science C.R. Kisan College, Jind (Haryana) Abstract: Although Sir Chhotu Ram is of public life, he would have to shed known as a ‘Deenbandhu’ & ‘Rehbar-e- much of his earlier complexion. The Azam’ but he was a social reformer and present research paper highlights Sir political activist in the era of Punjab Chhotu Ram’s role in Punjab politics politics from 1916-1945. Sir Chhotu from 1916-1945. The paper also focuses Ram, during the period 1916-1919 had some aspects of his political life. established a close personal equation Keywords: Congress Committee, with H. Harcourt the then Deputy Congressite, Punjab Unionist Party, Commissioner of the Rohtak. However, Assembly Elections, Provincial Sir Chhotu Ram joined All India Congress Autonomy. Party in 1916 and became the President of Rohtak District, Congress Committee; Introduction: The fact is that Sir Chhotu but he was no longer satisfied with the Ram started his political career as a policies implemented by the Congress Congressite and ended it as a pure and for the freedom movement. Therefore, true unionist of Punjab politics. He he resigned this political organization joined the All India Congress Party in and joined ‘The Punjab Unionist Party’ in 1916 and became the President of 1924 along with all his admirers and Rohtak District Congress Committee and followers. He was now well-aware that, remained at this office till August 1920. if he wanted to be on a wider platform Here it is also noteworthy that Sir Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 1812 International Journal of Research p-I SSN: 2348-6848 e-I SSN: 2348-795X Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals Vol ume 03 I s s ue 17 November 2016 Chhotu Ram was a founder of Jat Rohtak district in 1916. He worked very Gazzettee in 1916. However, he entered hard and soon the Congress in the the provincial politics in 1924 and joined district became an organization with an the Punjab National Unionist Party impressive following. Though Sir Chhotu established by Faizl-i-Hussain and Lal Ram was its chief, therefore, the Chand in 1923. He remained one of the Congress started moving into every rural staunchest supporter and pillar of this heart and home in the district. party till the end of his life. He played a However, during the time of First dominant role in Punjab Politics as an World War the Britishers had made active member of this party and he many promises of granting provincial became very popular as a political autonomy and other rights to the leader both in Hindu as well as Muslims Indians. Moreover, Indian soldiers had leaders of the Punjab Unionist Party. fought with remarkable valour crushing As a Congressman:It was no easy job the enemy’s resistance and they to be a staunch Congressman, for he defeated the enemies in the battle field was always target of attack at the hands from the side of the Britishers; but after of British bureaucracy. The the end of the war they did not fulfill Congressman were often abused, their promises. Therefore, Mahatma beaten and even jailed without any solid Gandhi gave a call to nation on 1st April reason. It was the time of British 1919 for a nationwide movement. imperialism and only a few of the Consequent the Punjab was equally Congressmen could dare to oppose the disturbed and a big conference was British rule in a conceivable manner. But called on the Gaukaran Tank in Rohtak it was Sir Chhotu Ram’s dauntless city. Sir Chhotu Ram was a prominent character that he was made the speaker on this occasion, and here the president of Congress Committee of British administration came in for a Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 1813 International Journal of Research p-I SSN: 2348-6848 e-I SSN: 2348-795X Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals Vol ume 03 I s s ue 17 November 2016 blistering attack for its obscurantism. Ram had to withdraw from the Congress Meanwhile, revolt in Punjab raised by but no longer; he could not get any the national activists and the event of supports from the Jat Community. This Jalianwala Bagh in April 1919 disturbed decline in his defeat in the first election the whole Punjab region and changed to the Punjab Council from the Jhajjar the political scenario of the province. and Sonepat rural constituency of Rohtak district gave him a great set back Meanwhile, the Congress as a political leader. agitated against the Rowlett Act. The Jat dominated area also showed a great As a Unionist: After the withdrawal from deal of participation in this agitation. It the Congress, Sir Chhotu Ram joined the was also expected that Sir Chhotu Ram Punjab Unionist Party in 1924 and he got would not only boycott the agitation himself elected as the vice chairman of meeting; but also render service to the the Rohtak District Board and also as the government by refuting the false Director of the Local Cooperative Bank. allegations made against the Rowlett In the second elections to the Punjab Act. But Sir Chhotu Ram not only failed Council, he got a success by a majority to do so, he actually participated in the of 1902 votes, as he was supported by meeting organized against the Act. In the Unionist Party at all levels. However, fact, in a mass meeting held at Rohtak Faizl-i-Hussain and Lal Chand had also on 11 August 1919, Sir Chhotu Ram organized themselves into an advocated the steps taken by the British Agriculturist Party or the Zamidar Party Administration, therefore, proposed as it was then known. However, Sir prosecution of Sir Chhotu Ram for his Chhotu Ram had not been able to enter seditious role in the disturbances of in the Punjab Council in its first election; Punjab in 1919 was opposed by many in this regard in the Jat Gazzete of congress leaders. Ultimately, Sir Chhotu January 1921 Sir Chhotu Ram remarked: Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 1814 International Journal of Research p-I SSN: 2348-6848 e-I SSN: 2348-795X Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals Vol ume 03 I s s ue 17 November 2016 “We cannot congratulate the very difficult to choose Lal Chand’s government on the appointment of two successor. However, he did not consider urban based members as ministers. It is Sir Chhotu Ram to be very well-known an insult to the rural members who are in politician. In fact Hailey had been a majority. At least one minister should extremely sorry to see Lal Chand go; but have been appointed from among them” at that time, he was determined to keep the agriculturist party in power and Sir In 1924, soon after the Punjab Chottu Ram remained the Agriculture Council Elections Sir Chhotu Ram joined Minister for about 6 month. He also the Punjab Unionist Party; but he had served as the Minister of Education from been condemned by such a person who 1925 to 1927. But after the 3rd election was a communalist, urbanite and anti- to the Punjab Council, Sir Chhotu Ram zamidar and he started as to oppose Sir was dropped from Ministership in favor Chhotu Ram, nevertheless, by 1936 he of Manoharlal an Urban Hindu who was had several times condemned all similar intellectually superior to Sir Chhotu Ram condemnation of Faizl-i-Hussain as been at that time as claimed by The Tribune. born out of narrow mindedness and petty jealously. But in reality the social Meanwhile, the formation of bases of the two leaders were the same Punjab Ministry on this new principle of and both were the landlords by communal harmony, affected the profession. Meanwhile, Sir Chhotu Ram Punjab Politics very crucially. The press was placed the charge of Minister of by and large applauded the Ministerial Agriculture in place of Lalchand who had change and Faizl-i-Hussain also made his been unseated as an unsuccessful displeasure with this decision made by election petition against him on the Mr. Hailey. Although Sir Chhotu Ram did charge of corrupt practices. Meanwhile, not made any complaint on any ground the new governor Mr. Hailey found it being excluded from the Ministry, he Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 1815 International Journal of Research p-I SSN: 2348-6848 e-I SSN: 2348-795X Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals Vol ume 03 I s s ue 17 November 2016 also faced embarrassment amongst his years of 1930 and 1931, Sir Chhotu Ram associates when Mr. Hailey refused to was also a nominated member of the let Sir Chhotu Ram publish a letter in panel of Chairman of the Legislative which he (Mr. Hailey) had given some Council and a member of the standing reason for dropping Sir Chhotu Ram committee on financial matters. from the Ministry. Therefore, Sir Chhotu Meanwhile in Punjab Council elections Ram assumed the role of opposition in 1930, Sir Chhotu Ram’s Hindu leader in the Punjab Council under the follower gave the party full support and guidance of Faizl-i-Hussain, who had also by 1936 the political position of Sir been shifted to the Governor’s executive Chhotu Ram remained very important in council in 1926 as a revenue minister the Punjab Unionist Party.