Some Confidential Papers of The Akali Movement - Dr. Ganda Singh (Ed.) by Sikh Digital Library

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEMENT

Ediltd

I~i lh

an i"troduclton by

GANDA

SINGH

AMRITSAR

SHIROMANI GURDWARA PARBANDHAK COMMITTEE SIKH ITIHAS RESEARCH BOARD 1965

Some Confidential Papers of the Akali Movement

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKAU MOVEMENT

Edited lVith

atl

Itlt"odu ctiotl

GANDA SINGH

AMRITSAR

SHIROMANI.GURDW.ARA PARBANDHAK COMMITTEE SIKH HlHAS RESEARCH BOARD 1965

"C" - -GANDA SINGH 1965 Firs( Edition 1965

P..,b/ished by M~hinder Singh Gtani (or the Shiromon l Gurd,":ora Porbandhok Co mm lttu, Amr itsar. and printed by Trja Sinfh S~thj ot the Tej Printinr Preu . AmliUor .

./NTRODUCTION I I am writing this Introduction to Some Confidential Papers of the Akali Move ment exactly 33 years from the day when the late Bawa Budh Singh, I. S. E., Superintending Engineer, Lahore, first Informed me on June 17, 1931. of the existence of the Confidential file of the Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandha k Committee, Amritsar, The file was said to contain letters of Mahatma Gandhi, the depos ed Ma ha raja Rlpudaman Singh (later renamed as Gurcharan Singh ) of Nabha and of other top-r ank ing political leaders of the country regarding the Akall movement and the Nabha agitation, For fear of a sudden raid on its office by the Punjab police, the file had for some time been entrusted to the custody of Sawa Budh Singh at Montgomery when he was posted t he re. He personally took it to Amritsar or Lahore and whenever it was required for consultation by the lead ers of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, When the fear of pollee raids disappeared, the file was restored to the office of the Committee, I felt inquisitive about the contents of the file.

But I was

then unknown to the Akall circles Only about six months earlier I had returned to India after over ten years abroad and was reacqua inting myself With Lahore where I Intended settling down. Subsequently when I went over to the Khalsa CollEge at Amrltsar, I learnt from Giani Nahar Singh of Gujjarwal, then editor of the Qaumi Dard , Amrltsar, that he had with him copies of most of the letters on Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee file taken by him in the second week of 1926, through the courtesy of Sardar Mahendar Singh of Sldhwan, then Gen'eral Secretary of the Committee. Gian i Nahar Singh very kindly placed the material at my dlsposalr of publication, I. got a typescri!'t mad e but had to wa it a number

of years before I could approach the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for Its publication. The project was sanctioned by the Committee in Its meeting of December 30. 1954. but with t he changes In Its controlling personnel , Its implementation Came to b. deferred for an Indefinite period. Master Sujan Singh , the present Honorary Secretary of the Committee, deserves our thanks for his sympathetic response to

request In

the resurrection

th~

ten-year old resolution

and ordering the publication of this volume. But for his keen and sincere Interest. it would not have seen the light of the day perhaps for. long time to come. The copies of the confidential p.pers received from Giani Nahar Singh had been hurr iedly made and were not complete. They have been checked and compared with the original letters In the Confidential file lent to me by the Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. A large number of additional connecting papers have been taken from the Blrdwood Committee (1924) and other files belonging to Dr. Bhal Jodh Singh, who was a leading figure In the Gurdwara Reform movement in the early stages and Withdrew from active association with It only when It drifted Into politics. He was an active participant In General Blrdwood's mission of bringing about a compromise between the Sikhs and the Government through a bill transferring the control of the Sikh historical shrines to an elected representative body o( the commun ity. The Birdwood negotiations, however. could not succeed owing to the Intransigence of some of the Akall leaders. and the community lost the opportunity of a very (avourable settlement o( the problem. Bhal Jodh Singh. however, continued his efforts and succeeded In the end. Gurdwar. Act was passed in 1925 when the Akall struggle (or the reform of Gurdwara management Came to an Âˇend . The papers received from Bh.i Jodh Singh relate to this phase of the Akali movement. Most of the K.purthala, Nabha and Patlal. corr.spondence Included in the volume was received (rom the late S'ardar DaUp Singh Doabl. (of Pur Hiran, Hoshlarpur) who Was the senior

Office Superintendent of 'he Shiromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Commlt,ee during the earlier part of the movement . He was. very reso urceful man and had connections with Influential people in th e Sikh States. Some of the statements regarding the jal,o morcha had bee n coliected by Giani Nah" Singh for a histo ry of 'he struggle for Indian Inpepen dence in the Pun jab . He was one of the close assocla'es of Bhai Randh lr Singh of Narangwal and was in Jail for a number of years for his part in the 1914-15 Ghadr activit ies In the Ludh iana and Ferozepur districts. I am th ankful to him for the help I have received from him In the preparation of this volume.

Except In a few special cases, the documents Included In this volume have all been arranged chronologically. The undated letters of the Akali leaders from Inside the Lahore fort , where 'hey were detained dur ing their trial in 1923-25, have, however, been placed In the same order-not always correct-In which they were found in the Confidential file. They have to be used with care, referring, In doubtful cases, to the table of contents and the Index which would be hel pful In determining the sequence of the letters and events. It Is very much to be regrelled that a large number of mistakes-some of them Inexcusable- have crept In at the printing stage. The writer of these lines had no hand in the read ing of the proofs. However, he offers an apology on behalf of the publishers and craves the Indulgence of the reader. The er Tata woul') be helpful In correcting some of the errors. For a more detailed study of this period , efforts should be made to collect documents and reports from the National Archives of Ind ia, the archives of the then Secretory of State for India, London, the Record Offic,,", of the Gover nments of the Punjab (In Ind ia and Pakistan) and from the collections of the late Sir Sundar Singh MaJ I,hla, Sir Jogendra Singh, Pandlt Madan Mohan Malavira, Pandlt Motilal Nehru, Mr. C. R. Das, Sardar K.M. Panlkkar, Raja Sir Narendra Nath, Sardar Bahadur Mehtab Singh , Sardar Tara

viii Singh of Moga, Master Tara Singh and all others who have in one The diaries of Sir Sundar Singh Majithla and Sardar Mehtab Singh, for some time President of the S.G.P.C., are full of Invaluable Information. Copies of the periodical repons of the District administrative and police officers to the provincial headquarters and of the provincial government to the Government of India should also be secured. ~ systematiC search for relevant repons and documents should be made In the Indian and foreign newspapers and periodicals. These all. and the communiques of the S.G.P C. and the Akali Dal of those eventful days, should be published in a series of volumes, properly edited and indexed, and made readily ava ilable to the students and scholars of history. For publications dealing directly or indirectiy With, or referring to, the Akall movement, the ;nqulsitive reader Is advised to consult A Bibl iollraphy of the Punjab being publishcd by the Punjabi University, Patiala, and The Bibliography of Sikhs and S ikhism being issued by the S.G P.C .â&#x20AC;˘ Amrit .. r. way or another been connected with the movement.

II Polit ical A gi tators in 19 17 The volume opens with a 'stricely confidential' list of 'the most prominent political agitators in the Pan Jab' whose movements were closely watched by the police in 1917 and reported to government (No. I and 21. The first World War 11914.18) was then on and German agents were trying to stir up revoiution in India. Not long before, the Punjab had witnessed the terrorist activities of the Ghadr Party immigrants from America, many of whom had either been sentenced to death or were undergoing life imprisonments. Some of them' had tried to escape from jails to renew their revolutionary activ ities in co--operadon With their sympathisers outSide . The persons mentioned in the list were suspected to be pro'minent anti-British agitators, some of whom had bEen

IX on the police lists since the Agrarian and Colony Bill agitation 01 1906-07. This list was occasionally revised and circulated not only to all the District Superintendents of Pollee in the Punjab but also to the rulers of the native States. (I) 2_ Anand Kishor Mehta was an associate of Lala Lajpat Ra l in the Punjab Colony Bill ag itation in 1907. (ii) 3. H.rchand Singh was the originator of the Rlkab-ganj Gurdwara agitation In 1914, aimed at reconstructing the Gurdwara wall demolished by Government. Later he took part In the Akali movement. He started the Khalsa Akhbar, an Urdu weekly, In 19H and was an associate of Master Sunder Singh Lyallpurlln starting the Akali In 1920. (ill) 8. Maulana Zafar Al l, the well known editor of the Zamindar, Lahore, was a leading nationalist of the Panjab In those days. Later he joined the Muslim League. (I v ) 9. Teja Singh, M.A., popularly known as Sant Teja Singhof Mastuana, went to America for study In 1909 and there delivered a number of lectures on Ind ia and her people. On his return he was listed as an agitator. He Is a religious recluse and has never indulged In active politics. (v) II . Kedar Nath Sehgal attracted the notice of the Punjab Police dur ing the Colony Bill agitation In 1907 and Was placed on the list of agitators for surveillance. (vi) 16. Lal Chand Falak was an associate of the well known political agitators like Amba Prasad Sufi, Ajlt Singh and others In the first decade of the century. In 1917-18 he was sentenced to fourteen years' Imprisonment In the fourth ~ahore Conspiracy Case, but was released In 1920. He was a popular Urdu poet and the following lines from one of his poems h,ve acquired historical significance:

Information

available

about

the

other

agitators

rr:entioned In the list.

Treaty Rights of the Indian Ruling Princes For some time past there had been whispering complaints from some of the Indian ruling pr in ces that rights secured to them by

Treaties, Sanads and Engagements had not, In practice, been fully observed by the Government of India. It was, therefore, suggested by the Viceroy in an Informal meeting held at Delhi on February 4-5, 1918, that concrete instances of disregard of treaty rights be l:rcught to the notice of the Government before the next meeting

(3 . 41. It was In pursuance of this suggestion that the Nabha State collected a numbr of instances mentioned under No.6.

The Darbar Sahib Keys Agitation The stiff and hostile attitude of the Government of the Pan lab towards Sikh Gurdwaras reform movement brought the Sikh community in direct conflict with the Government. to suppressing the

movement, the

Government

With a view took away on

November 7, 1921, the keysof the Golden Temple, Amrltsar, and other allied Gurdwaras from their Manager, Sardar Sundar Singh Ramgarhia. This created a stir among the community. As a strong step of protest against the Government, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parb.ndhak Committee, in its special meeting held at the Akal Takht on November 10 , called upon the Sikh members of the provincial legislature, under threat of excommunic3tio-n, to ',acate their seats

xi (No.9). A similar directive had also been issued to them by the Committee on August 27, 1921 (No.7,. The agitation soon took a serious turn and hundreds of Sikhs went to jail at the bidding of the Shiromani G urdwara Parbandhak Comm ittee.

As there was

no apparent justification for th e Government to resort to repression in this case, It had to yield and return t he keys to the Comm ittee . The Sikhs had re mained perfectly nonÂˇviolent throughout their struggle with the bu reaucracy and, according to Mahatma Gandhi . .. his was a glorious triumph of non wviolence and self-sacrifice over

official high-h andedness. For this he congratulated the Sikhs in his telegram of january 18 19, 1922, to Sardar Kharak Singh , the then Pres ident of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, saying: " First Battle of Ind ia's Freedom won , congratulations" INa. 10).

Guru Âˇka-Bagh Affair There are only two documents here bearing on the Guru.ka .. Bagh affair_ One (No 190, p.304) Is an eye-Witness account of Maulana Klfayatullah, the President of the jamait-ul-Ulma-I-Hlnd_ He Visited the Gu ru -ka-Bagh Gurdwara on September 10, 19l1, dur ing the mortha days, In the company of the well known Indian leaders Hakim Ajmal Khan of Delhi, Swami Shardhananda, Shrl

Pia ray Lal Sharma, Secretary, Provincial Congress Committee, Delhi, and Mr. G. A. Sundaram of the Swadesamitram_ Madras. The statement of Maulana Kifayat-ullah gives to the reader some Idea of how mercilessly the members of the Akali batches during the marcha were beaten to unconsciousness , day after day,

by the police

under the personal supervision of Mr Beaty , the Superintendent of Police, and how unresistlngly and w ith great fortitude and resignation , the non-violent Akalis went through this ordeal. In the words of the Rev_ C.F. Andrews, "A great heroism learnt through suffering, had risen In the land A new I.s.o n in moral warfare has been taught to the world ." Accord ing to john S. Hoyland in his The Cross Moves East "An English spectator of this movement of Satyagraha , when hundreds of ex-soldiers, belonging to proudest a'nd most martial Sikh race in India,

marched In rank

xii afcer rank up co a cordon of police. chere to be clubbed dow" unreslstingly. has said to the presenc writer that never in his life did he see anything so dreadful and at the same time so impressive. t The letter of Prof. Ruchi Ram Sahni to Mr. A.W. Mercer. D.I.G. Police. dated September 25. 1922 (No. 191. p. 307) tells us that even the members of the public were III-created by the police 'nd robbed of cheir belongings. This was all done with the object of striking terror into the people participating in or sympathising with the Akali mevement But Ic failed to achieve the desired effen. On the ocher hand. the publication of the reports of police atrocities against che non-violent Sikh satyagrahis stirred the conscience of the world against the Government and won for the Sikhs sympathy and admir>clon not only of the people of India but also of che world at large_

Represswn in Native States RepreSSive me35ures against the Akali reformish were not confined to the British territory. They were followed with equal rlgour In the native states also. EVidently. the Indian rulers did so under the pressure of the Political Department of the Government of India In the Kapurthala Stace. che Akalls were watched and arrested not only for taking part In the activities of the Shiromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee but also for wearing KirpanÂˇ- a religious symbol of the Sikhs-although there were no restrictions on it In the native states where the Indian Arms Act was not normally appllc>ble. Many of them were confined to their own Villages and could move out only with the permission of the State authorities. Additional military force was recruited to keep the Akalis under check. and special executive officers were placed on duty In the Tehsll headquarters to check the expansion of Akali

movement (I 1.12).

Koolro Opposition to the Akali Movement The Kookas or Namdharis had been under strict surveillance

xiii of the police since 18n, when sixtyfive of them had been blown from the guns for the murder of cow-killing bueche .. of Malerkocla and other places and their leader Bab. Ram Singh .nd his close assocl.tes were exiled from the Panlab. Theirs was a purely religious

and social movement with no political

or anti-British

designs. Yet the Deputy Commissioner of ludhlana district. wherein the village of Bhalnl , the residence of Baba Ram Singh , w" sitUated. and the Commissioner of Ambala division. frightened by the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857-58. dubbed them as political suspects and established a police-post in the village. Th is was very irksome to the Kookas and they found a favourable opportunity in opposing the Akali movement to earn for themselves the goodWill of the Government of the Panlab . They IIot only allied themselves with the anti-Akall interests of the Mahants or custodians of the Sikh temples but also actively opposed the movement and carried on vigorous propaganda through the press, with papers such as the Satjug and the Kooka, and platform against the Akalis whom the Government then considered their worst enemies, particularly during

the Guru-ka-Bagh and Jaito morchas or agitations (' 922-25). In recognition of their loyal services, the Government of tt'le

Panlab was pleased to remove in 1922 the fifty . year old police post from the Kooka headquarters at Bhainl . As a further mark of Its favours. the Governor of the Punjab interceded on their behalf With the Administrator of the Nabha State on August 2. 1923, for not disturbing them abcut certain forest rights (In Nabha Beer) to save them from falling "into the arms of Akalls", with whom they were then on extremely unfriendly terms. The,e rights were said to have been granted to them verbally by the deposed Maharaja Rlpudaman Singh of Nabha. The Governor was also pleased to suggest to the Administrator not to take any action regarding that land until the Akali agitation over Nabha had somewhat subsided (No. 13). The Administrator (Mr. C.M.G. OgilVie) in his D.O . No. 770, of August 30, 1923, accepted the recommendation of the PanJab Government and assured the Governor, through Mr , Craik, Chief

xiv

Secretary to tne Government, that he did not Intend to remove them for the present, or Indeed at all, provided they refrained from bringing the Beer under cult ivation. According to the Administrator, "they hold no written deed of gift or anything of the kind " (No. 188, pp 303).

Abdication of the Maharaja of Nabha Maharaja Rlpudaman Singh of Nabha had, for reasons mainly political, incurred the displeasure of the Government of India and was deposed and exiled from the State. He, however. felt that he had been unjustly removed from his throne at the InstigatiOn of his enemies, particularly Maharaja Shupendra Singh of Patl.la. and of the Political Department, which. he said, had been under the influeuce of his rival, that his abdication had been ' anything Dut voluntary ' and tnat he had been made to sign the le tter of abdication under threats and coercion. He narrated at length In his letter of Decembe r 14, 1923, to H.E. the Viceroy and the Governor-General of India (No. 14) how his servants proved disloyal to him and how Col. Minchin , Political Agent to the Governor-General, had insulted him and treated him 'like a rebel and pri.soner'. How the Senior Maharani and ladies of the Zenana wer. insulted and searched by the Agent to the Governor Gener.1 himself and placed under a military guard. and how the ladles of the family were starved for a whole day , make a pitiable reading. The representltion of the Maharaja ended with an appeal to His Excellency to 'find an early opportun ity of redressing my grievances.' He also informed H. E. that he had in writing dissociated himself 'from the agitation about his forced abdication' and that he had also sent a telegram to the Sh lromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the press to that effect In his reply of March 3, . 1924 (No. IS), Lord Reading. the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, informed His Highness Maharaja Rlpudaman Singh that he had fully considered the contents of H.H,'s representation and that his examination of the case and his personal knowledge of the events connected with it left no

..ound In his mind that the grievances of His Highness and oharges ~f Intimidation and coeroion levelled by him at the offioers of the I(;overilm ent were without foundation and that he found no ground for revision of the decision arrived at by the Government.

Referr ing to his speeoh of Ootober 17, 1923, that there should be no illusion about His Highness's restoration in a short time or In a few years and that he had ceased for all time to rule in Nabh., His Excellency reiterated : "To that pronouncement I and my Government adhere and Your Highness must definite ly understand that the decisIon is irrevocable." Thi s disillus ioned the mind of His Highness about the chances of his restoration to the throne of Nabha and placed the leaders of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in a very embarrassing position regardi r.g the agitation that they had started for it in hot haste. The public dissociation of H,H. with it had fu rther worsened the situation .

Council of Adminislration for Nabha At one stage, in the course of consulations among the leaders of the Nabha ag itation , when a Council of Regency was ruled Out as unacceptable, it was suggested that the Governm ent be approached to appOint a Council of

Adm inistration that would inspire 'con-

fidence in the Sikh community that it will maintain the Sikh character of the state' (No. 185 pp. 298Âˇ9~ ; d. No. 163, p. 251). The Government had actually agreed informally with Bhai Jodh Shigh that this Council of Administration , to be set up during the minority

of the deposed Maharaja' s son, Partap Singh, would have a Sikh as its preSident and the majority of the members would also be Sikhs. But the Akali leaders were not th e n in mood to agree to anything short of the restoratioo of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh. This the Government could. not accept in the face of the irrevocable decision and catagorical pronouncem ents of the Viceroy and Governor-

~feneral.

of Ind ia (No IS, p. 291. Thus this, proposal for a C,ouncil AdminIStration for Nabh. Scate could not proceed beyond the Stage of Wishful thinking. And the Briti~j, administrator continued

xvi

to ,.maih Ih the saddle . From Dehra Dun , the'- Maharaja was removed to Kodai-kanal in South India. where he di.d on December 14, 1942.

}aito Marcha The Jaito agitation was ooly partially religious in motive. It began on September 14, 1923 , when the continuous reading (Akhandpath) of the Guru Granch Sahib going on in Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib at Jalto In the Nabha State for the benefit of the deposed Maharaja Ripudaman Singh was sa id to have been interrupted by the st.te authorities. The state was then ruled by 0 British Administrator. Mr. Wilson Johnston The }athas sent by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for restarting the interrupted reading were arrested by the state police ood ieft In far-flung and out of the way places. After some 500 men had been treated in this way •• big Shahidi jatha (Martyrs' band ) of 500 was sent. On Its arrival at Jaito on February 21 . i924. the third anniversary of Nankana Sahib tragedy. it wu mercilessly fired upon by the state forces, causing some 300 casualties, Including about 100 killed. Seeing their comrades fall dead or wounded. the members of the }atha rushed forward to seek martyrdom and literally ran Into the Jaws of death (No. 19-22. pp. 37-45; No. 155, pp. 228·34; No. 157-58. pp. 239-40 ; No. 167, pp. 261-6-4). Many more jathas followed. They were all arrested and not fired upon. A jatha came from as far off as America (No. 183. pp. 293-96). The muggle dragged on up to July 21, 1925, when the Government yielded, removed the restrictions on the Akhandpath and allowed the Sikhs to perform the ceremony uninterrupted. It may be pointed out that the lathas moved to Jolto with a vow taken at the Akal Takht. Amritsar (No. 18). to remain completely non·violent and that the vow was in all cases observed In letter and spirit.

Arrest of Akali Leaders Finding the Akall movement drifting into polities. particularly

xvii when tne Shlrom,nl Gurdwar. Parb.ndhak Committee and the Akali Dal beg.n agitating for the restoration of the deposed Maharaj. of Nabha to his throne, the Government of the Panjab declared these bodies to be unlawful associations and arrested on January 7, 1924 (No. 16),62 of their leaders. The Gener.1 Committee of the Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee In its resolutions of that day. passed before their leaders' arrest, condemned the 'arbitrary and high-handed policy of the Government', appreciated the services of the members of these bodies, protested against the entry of the police In to the precincts of the Golden Temple and placed on record Its firm determination to continue the struggle by all non-violent methods (No. 17).

Mahatma Gandhi's letters (Nos. 24-28) Wh lie the jalto marcha was being prolonged and there were signs of we.kness here and there, and th e Government of the Pan lab was trying to create , with some success, a rift In the ranks ofthe Sikhs through a network of Governmen t .sponsored Sudhar Committees and Zall Committees, composed of loyalists and Government agents, the arrested leaders of the Shiromani Gurdwara P.rbandh.k Committee det.lned In the L,hore fort opened negotl.tlons with the non-Akali Sik h leaders .nd others With a view to winning the sympathies of the national leaders of the country like Mahatma Gandh i and Pandit Madan Mohan Mal,vly. for their struggle .galnst the Government and for helping them out of It by the passage, In the provincial legislative assembly, of a bill transferring to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak CommittEe the control of Sikh historical Gurdwaras. Mahatm. Gandhi cou ld interest himself In the Jaito marcha and arrange for open ing negotiations with the authorities only If the Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee were to make "a declaration In the clearest terms that the object of the jath. is purely to assert the aforesaid right [of performing the Akhand-path In place of the one that had been Interrupt,d], that it has no desire to carryon under the Cover of the Akhand-path ceremony any prohibited propaganda

xviii

In the Nabha state" (p. 51). In connection with the movement for the control or historical

Gurdwaras, "it will be assumed", said Mahatma Gandhi, "that all such Gurdwaras must remain In the control or Shlromani Gurdwara

P.rbandhak Committee."

or posseSSion, the

But

'm every case of disputed control

matter should

be re rerred

to arbitrat io n"

(p.53). Mahatmajl .Iso required satisfaction "that the movement is neither .ntlÂˇHlndu nor anti-any other race or creed " (p. 54). As to the restoration of Nabha. "In my opinion", said Mahatma Gandhi, "Whatever the true facts may be, the Maharaja has by his writings made It practically Impossible for his wellwishers to carryon an effective agitation for his restoration .

Ir,

however, he makes a public statement that all the writings were practically extorted from him and "is willing to face the con.equences of the publication of all the facts against him, it ,. possible to carryon an effective and even successful agitation:'

Then, "the agitation should be all-India agitation. The Akalls should merely assist In the elucidation of facts" (No. 27). Th. Shiromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, In Its reply dated April 20, 1914 (No. 29), to Mahatma Gandhi, agreed with him on almost all the points and assured him that their movement

was "neither anti -Hindu , nor anti -any other race or creed", but was It also expla ined to him their

"thoroughly national In outlook."

entire position and stated its minimum demands as follows:

"We want a Law that would prOVide for a central representative and .Iected body of the Sikhs as trustees of all historical Gurdwaras."

" We want the freedom of our religious symbol, the Kirpan or sword. from all restrictions."

" We agree that

reasoning

sincerely tried before (No. 29, iv, p. 63).

and arbitration

resorti ng

should be

Satyagraha"

Lengthy discuss ions and negotiations were carried on between

'he

repre.enUtive

the

Shiromani

Gurdwar.

Parbandhak

Committee and Maharaja Ripudaman Singh at Dehra Dun (referred to as 'D.O. Friend' in the correspondence) but as the Maharaja could not be persuaded to make a public statement on the lines suggested by M.hatm, Gandhi [No. 27, p. 55), he could not interest himself in the agitation for the Maharaja's restoration.

The Birdwood Committee In the early months of 1921 . Sir Makolm Hailey, the Home Member of the Government of India, suggested to His Excellency Lord Reading, the Governor-General , to invite General Sir William Birdwood , the Commander-in-Chief of India, to help restore friendly re:ations between the Government and the Sikh

community and

to draft . in consulation with the members of the Pan jab Legislative Council , a bill for the control of the Sikh Gurdwaras that may 'be acceptable to both the parties. General Birdwood was .Iso authorized by the Governor-General to promise that if the Akali. co-operated with him in hi' work, tho,e of them imprisoned and under trial for offences in conn ection With the Gurdwara agitation

would be released . Sir William was known for his friendship for the Sikhs. During thirty-five years in the Indian army he had seen much of th e Sikhs and knew them we ll. It was, therefore. hoped that with his tactful handling he would be able to overcome the ho ~ tility that had come to be created between the Government and the Sikhs . With the help of Bha i Jodh Singh and Sardar Narain Singh of Gulranwala, General Birdwood entered into negotiations with the Government of the Panjab, represented by Mr_ Henry Craik, and the Akali leaders detained In the Lahore fort and work ing oU"id e. Documents under No_ 30 to 52 and 54 to 67 (pp. 69-129) give details of the negotiat ions and discuss io ns and of the various

drafts of the bases and terms o f agreement proposed and amended by the parties and, at last, rejected by the Akali leaders inside the fort . Both sides worked w ith mental reservat ions and suspicions and looked more to their prestige than to the solution and ,ettlement of the problem before them _ Thus the efforts of the Birdwood Committee failed to achieve its objective and it was

dissolved . General Sir William (late r Field Marsha ll Lord) Birdwood has in his autob iography, 'Khaki and Gown' , thus summar ize d t he failure of his negotiations: " The more extrem ist Aka"s obstruct, d progress with qu ite unreasonable demands. They t r ied to ma l e it a condition that, in addition to those detained for simple Gurdwara offences, all Sikhs undergoing Imprisonment or awaiting tr ia l-even for murder or

manslaughter resulting from the se izure of Gurdwaras- should be released before they wo uld co-operate. To th is stipulation It was, of course, qU ite Impossible to agr Ee, and after a whole month 's

discussions I had reluct antly to inform the Viceroy that the appointment of my Committee appeared to have been prem.ture" (p. 372). That the General was subsuntially correct in his condusion is borne out by Sardar Raja Singh , then a member of the Working Committee of the Sh lromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, in his letter of res ignation dated August 28, 1924 (No. 67, pp 128-29). W r iting to the Pre.ldent of the Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Comm ittee, he said : " As I do not believe in the policy and actions which actuated breakage of Blrdwood negollations so far as our side Is concerned (and on the day the rejection of the settlement was finally decided In Lahore Fort jail , I stood against the rejection) and as the present policy of the Shiromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (only one General Committee has met after 13th October,' 23 , and one Execut ive, and of these twa considered the policy) and policy and actions of Its very powerful and important Imtruments are unduly dominated by outside Influence and consequently under the circumstances. not in the Interests of the Panth ... 1 have been obliged to hereby submit my resignation from the Working Committee, wh ich please accept and oblige :" I

xxi If the Akall leaders had acoepted the proposed basis for cooperation with the Negotiations Comm ittee, the drafting of the bill for the management of Gurdwaras would havÂˇe been Immediately taken up by a committee of siX members, with Sir William Blrdwood as president, set up for the purpose. The majority of the members were to be Sikhs - Bhai lodh Singh , Sardar Naraln Singh and Sardar Tara Singh-with two Hindu members, Raja Sir Narendra Nath and an em inen t lawyer from Madras. The lawyer member had actually arr ived at Lahore. But the Akalis Insisted that such of the Sikh sold iers as had been cc>ovicted by military courts for wearing Kirpans should as well be released. Bhai Jodh Singh was of the opinion that when the negotiations were successfully concluded, the release of those soldiers could be easily secured . But the Akall leaders, prompted mainly by emotion , rigidly stuck to their demand being fulfolled as a preli minary condition for their co-operation. And the Blrdwood negotiations broke down. This refusal to co-operate with the Blrdwood Committee by the extremist Akalls is considered to be one of the greateSt blunders committed by them. The passage of the Gurdw.ra Bill at that stage would have ended the struggle of the community with the Government much earlier and saved it from the rot Into wh ich It fell as a result of the mutual split and acrimony created by the accentuation of differences by the extremists.

Gurdwara Act, 1925 The time and labour spent by General Blrdwood and his Sikh Committee was not. however, entirely wasted . The leaders of the Shiroman i Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, and the wellWishers of the Sikhs soon felt the necessity of reopening the Subject at the point where it had been left off. In the meantime, Sir Malcolm Hailey had become the Governor of the PanJab in place of Sir Edward Maclagan. He was a clever politician and a practical statesman. Sardar Sir logendra Singh says In his letter

xxii of ISt September. 1924 (No. 68, pp. 129.31), addressed to Sardar Naraln Singh, M. L. c., of GuJranwala rhat the failure of the negotiations of the Birdwood Committee has, I believe. done a good dea l of harm to our cause .. " "I have seen that the sympathies of the Hindus and Muhammadans are daily on the decrease on account of their thinking that the position taken up by the Akalis being unreasonabl .... I have found a ge ntleman .. . who has promised to intervene and try to have the matter settled between our community and the Government, jf We take up a reasonable pOsition . ' J "I think the Government Is also as anx ious, perhaps more anx ious than ourselves, to have the matter settled." This move was supported by seven Akali leaders he.ded by Rls.ld.r Sundar Singh (then In the Lahore fort ) in their commun ication of September 16 (No. 69, p. 131) wherein they stressed the deS irability of an early settlement with the Government in consultat ion with the Sikh counCillors , Sardar Nar.'n Singh and Bhai Jodh Singh. They were of the opinion that the bill should be accepted In all cases, even If the Government did not agree to the release of the Akali prisoners before the passage of the bill. In the third week of December, 1924, twenty of the Akall leaders de tained In the Lahore fort authorized the Secretary of the Shiro manl Gurdwara P.r.bandhak Comm ittee to take all kinds of decisions in the Interest of the Panth without ask ing them as they could not arrive at any unanimous decision on account of diffe rences of opinion amongst them. (See No. 7b, 77, 78 pp. 138-44.) Sir Malcolm Hailey did not take long to acquaint himself with the Sikh problem. He seems to have understood the psychology of the extremist Akalls better than his predeceslor. In the course of a casual talk he Is said to have once remarked. "Why delay the Bill and let the Government get the blame. Give It to them. and also their Gurdwaras , They will then quarrel among themselves. The Government will be free to do something else."

xxiii The reconcilable attitude of both the Akalls and the Go.v ern . ment encouraged the Sikh members of the Punjab Legisl at ive Counc il to hammer Into shape th e Gurdwara Bill as best as they could. Bha l Jodh Singh took a leading role in the negotiation s with the Government.

His correspondence

with Mr. H.W

Emerson ,

the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, and Mr. H.D. Craik, th e Chief Secretary to the Government, who represented the Govern. ment in the prelim inary discussions, and with the Akali le.ders reveals the various stages through wh ich the draft of the bill pa ssed before it was finalized for be ing presented to th e Council. It also gives an Insight into the re action s of the Akali leaders, both extremist and others (No. 71 to 97, pp. 134-57; Cf. 165. pp. 250 .52). With the change in the attitude of the Governm.n t. the Muslim members of the Council also assumed a helpful attitude and offered to support the Bill if Professor Jodh Singh agreed to their suggestion' of maintaining the records of the proposed Gurdwara jud icial Commission In Urdu instel d of Gurumukhl as provided for in one of the clauses of the Bill . The Hindu members on the other hand asked him not to accept the Muslim suggestion say ing that they wo uld stand by him in the Council. This gave him an opportunity to secure their prom ise to withdraw their proposed amendments to the Bill on the affirmation of Mahant Basant Das , Secretary of the Udasl n Mahamandal. that the various shrines metioned In the Hindu Members' amendments were Sikh Gurdwaras, dedicated to the Guru Granth Sahib and that regular Sikh practices Were observed therein. As a compromise, the Gurdwara of Manak of Mehant Basant Das was excluded from the list attached to the Bill . Thus the Gurdwara Bill was paSied by the Punjab Legislative Assembly on July 7. 1925. And It came Into force with effect from th e 1st of November, 1925. Now arose the question of the release of the Akall prisoners and of those under t rial for offences conntcted wit h the Gurdwara struggle . The Government agreed that such of them as declared themselves to be in favour of working the Bill .,ked for and

xxiv accepted by the Sikhs would be Immediately released. Most of the leaders saw no objection in mak ing this declaration in favour of the Bill which had been drafted by Sikh councillors in response to their wishes and in consultation with them ,

The Irreconcilable

extremists, however, looked upon this dec/aration as a humiliating condition laid down by the Government and they refused to accept it. This widened the rift between the two sections and led to the frittering away of the energies of the community in fratricidal recrim inations (Nos. 98- 106, pp . 157-72; No. 183, pp. 289-92). The Gove rnment gradually released the prisoners after the Bill came Into force with effect from Nove mber I, 1925.

The N abha Question As the question of the restoration of Maharaja Rlpudaman Singh was purely polit ical and the Shlromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was a religious body, it could not In honesty be pursued by the leaders of the Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, and had to be dropped to secure the passage of the Gurdwara Bill. At one stage, Master Sundar Singh Lyallpurl. one of the original promoters of the Akall movement, had suggested that this qu estion should be handed over to the Sikh League, a political organization. And if it were not done, he had threa!ened to launch a campaign against it (No. 156, pp. 237-38). 5ardar Amar Singh of Jhabbal was also of the view that a serious mistake had been made by the Shlromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, in involving itself in politics. He, therefore, dissociated himself (rom the Committee and resigned its membership. There were also some two dozen other members who were not In favour of continuing the Nabha agiutlon as a part of the Gurdwara Reform movement and wished it to be dropped (No. 156, pp. 237-38 ; No. 160, pp. 244-45). The leaders of the Committee, therefore. assumed a luke-warm attitude towads it, neither dropping the question nor mak ing it a life-and death question. (No. 168, Note, p. 266). The Maharaja

x:Xv .

bitterly complained of this In his letter addressed to the Committee (No. 107, pp. 172·74), though he was himself mostly respons ible in weakening the hands of the agitators In his cause (Nos. 58, 59, pp. 105·120; No. 156. pp. 237-38 ; No. 168, pp. 266·67, No. 177, pp. 284·86 ; No. 186, p. 30 I) .

Services of the Patiala State to Government Soon after the Gurdwara Bill was passed, the Prime Minister of the Patiala State, Daya Kishan Kaul. sent In August 1925. under Instructions of the Maharaja, a note on the Services rendered

by Patiala in combating the dangerous Sikh agitation and the Akali movement in the Punjab in recent years to Col. St. John, Politleal Agent to the Governor General, with the req uest that they might be brought to the notice of the Government of India for such recognition as th ey dese rved (Nos. 108·09, pp . 174·78). There is also on record a confidential note submitted to His Highness Maharaja Bhupendra Singh by liaqat Hayat Khan, Home Minister, on the political situation in the State and on the desinbllity of recognizing the services of deserving persons (No. 110, pp. 183.92) .

Allowances to' Newspapermen The letter of Daya Klshan Kaul, dated May 24, 1924. to Master Chanda Singh . editor of the Panth Sewak. Amrltsar (No. 53), is an Indication of how newspapermen were paid allowances by the Prince ly States , evidently to play to their tunes or to act as their agents.

Chief Khalsa Diwan and the Khalsa College, Amritsar The Chief Khalsa Diwan, Amrltsar, Is a rellgio-polltical association of the Sikhs established in 1902. Its leaders, headed by Sardar Sundar Singh Majltha, believed In the po liCy of polit ical compromise and co-operation with the Government. This poliCy alone, they felt. could help the backward and predom inenely rural

xxvi community of the Sikhs catch up In social and educational fields with the rich and advanced Hindus and the Government-favoured Musalmans. Their only college. the Khalsa College. AmrltSar. received substantial aid from the Panjab Government. This was nOt In keeping with the rising t lce of ~olitJ"l extremism and non"co.operation .

Flu$hed with successes in gaining control

of some of the Important Sikh shrines. and taking advantage of the commotion in the College due to differences between the Principal (Mr G. A. Wathen) and the Managing Committee, some of the AkalJ leaders started In 1923-24 virulent propaganda both against the Chief Khalsa Dlwan and the Management of 'he Khalsa College. This Is referred to in letters Nos. 164, 170 and 175 received from Akali leaders inside the Lahore fort . The community co uld not then afford, they felt. to enter Into a fratricidal campaign against the Chief Khalsa Diwan and appealed to the editors of their newspapers. Sardar Mangal Singh and Giani Hira Singh. not to permit that unhealthy criticism to continue (No. 164. pp. 252-53). They were In favour of a compromise with the Managing Committee of the College, but if that were not possible. they w I'hed the anti-college agitation to be dropped in the Interest of the Gurdwara Reform Movement (No. 175. p. 281). Not unoften they stood in need of the service, of the leading member> of the Cllief Khalsa Dlwan like Sir jogendra Singh, Sardar Harbans Singh of Atari. Sardar Raghbir Singh of Rajasansl and Bhai jodh Singh. who was. In fact. their main negot iator with the Government (No. 166, p. 258; No. 172, p.274).

Morcha at Bhai Pheru While the agitation to restart the 'interrupted' Akhand-path at jaito was going on, another campaign came to be s tarted at Bhai Pheru In the district of Lahore on December IS, 1923, for Gurdwara Sangat Sahib. There are only two documents referring to it available in these papers. One Is a telegram of September 22, 1925 INa. III), from Sardar Arjan Singh informing the Secretary, Shromanl Akall Dal at Amr l"ar. that he had ordered the

xxvii suspension of the morcha from that day, The other Is a letter dated Sept.mber 26, 1925 (No. 112) from Te)a Singh Ghawlnd to Bhai Nand Singh, jathedar. supporting the action of Ar).n Singh and Impressing upon Nand Singh the necessity of observing discipline and not starting another morcha there (pp. 193-94). Also see No. 133 for an agreement between the Hindus and the Sikhs regarding Gurdwara Shai Pheru (pp. 213-14).

The Sikh Sudhar altd Zail Committees As stated earlier, the Government had encouraged the format io n of the Sikh Sudhar and Zail Committees composed of loyalists, government pensioners, etc., to create antiaAkali opinion In the rural areas, which supplied volunteers for the Akall jachas, and to dissuade the prospective volunteers from active association with the Akall agitation, The leaders of the Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. both Inside the Lahore fort and outside, occ"lonally referred In their correspondence to the great harm that these committees were doing to the movement and suggested measures to counteract their propaganda. These Committees, however, died their natural death soon after the Gurdwara Act of 1925 came Into force (No. 159, p. H~; No. 161, p. 245; No. 166. p. 157).

Release of Prisoners in Patiala State As a result of the interview of the representatives of the Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, headed by Its President. Sardar Bahadur Mehtab Singh . on February 16, 1926 (Report under No. 136, pp_ 215-18), His Highness Maharaja Shupendra Singh was persuaded to take a sympathetic view of almost all their wishes and he released the Akall prisoners (No_ 137 . p. 219 . ' No '189 , p. 304)_ It may be said to his credit that on previous occasions also as well as subsequently he, whenever properly appraoched, readily responded to the wishes of the Sikh leaders. It was only )'Ihen

xxviii his own r ights and privileges wer. questioned and assailed that he assumed a stiff attitude. This was but natural. He had helped save from the Jaws of death the Invaluable Ii fe of the Akali Jathedar Kartar Singh jhabbar of Nanakana Sahib and had taken a leading part In the Kar-sl!Wa (dredging service) of the sacred tank of the Goiden Temple at Amrltsar undertaken by the Akalis. He would have effectively hel ped them out of many an embarrassing situation during the Gurdwara Reform movement if they had only adopted a neutral policy in the family feuds of Nabha and Patiala. Evidently. It was under some such hopeful impression that some member or members of

the Working Committee of the

Shiromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee suggested to the leaders inside the Lahore fort the adVisability of working through the Maharaja of Patiala for a speedy settiement with the Government of the Pan jab (No. 162. p. 249). How far. in face of differences among them . the Akali leaders were able to avail themselves of his Influence with the Government is stili a sealed secret.

Other Sikh States No record is available in these papers about the rele.se of Akalls in Kapurthala. jind and Kalsia states. They must have followed the lead of Patiala. Faridkot State was then under a Council of Regency and its President. Sardar Indar Singh. did not find It advisable to give an interview to the President and representatives of the Shiromanl Gurdwar. Parbandh.k Committee (February-March , 1926) and release Akali prisoners even .fter the Gurdwar. Bill had been passed and accepted by Shiroman; Gurdwara P.rbandhit k Committee (No. 149-5l, pp. 225-17).

Proposal for the appointment of a Receiver at Nankana Sahib While the ja ito and Bh.i Pheru morchas were on, there was a. propcsal in Government circles to appoint an official Receiver for the management of the Gurdwara j.nam Asthan and its landed property at Nankana Sahib, perhaps, to div ide the attention of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Akali

xu Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, submitted his resignation on Feruary 21 , 1926. Ostensibie reasons given were those of health. which must, of course, have been shattered owing to the heavy

pressure of work and his long detention In the Lahore Fort. This state of affairs referred to In the letter of Sardar Mangal Singh of February 26 (No. 115, p. 106, and In No. 164, pp. 251·53 ; No. 170, pp. 269-70 ; No. 176, pp. 282·83; No. 181. pp. 288·89). seems to have worsened by the delay In the general election of the Shirom.ni Gurdw.ra Parb.ndhak Committee, further postponement of which was asked for in the statement .nd telegram of May 27. 1926, of Prof Tel' Singh (Nos. 125. 126 .nd 127, pp. 207·09) . who w.s trying to bring about. compromise between the w.rrlng p.rties.

Riots in Rawalpindi The month of June In 1926 saw the outbre.k In R.w.lpindl (now In p.kist.n) of communal riots wherein the Sikhs suffered he.vily at the hands of their Muslim neighbours. As the Ak.lis had lust come out of • ye.r.long struggle with the Government and there

were

some extremists

belonging

the newly created

Ak.1i Party. who were not happy over the settlement with the Government. it was feared th.t the Shirom.nl Gurdwar. P.rb.ndh.k Committee or the Akali oal might send some jathas to Raw.lplndl t.)

help their co·religionists, thus causing embarrassment to Govern-

ment. But the Akali, had no such plan In view. In reply to the enqUiry of the Deputy CommiSSioner, Amrlt .. r (No. IP, pp . 200..01) on June IS , the Secret.ryof the Shlromanl Gurdwara Farbandh.k Committee Informed him on the 18th (No. 129, P 201) that the " Shiromanl Gurdw.ra Parb.ndhak Committee. on he.ring of he.rt.rending news from ' Rawalpindi wanted to send medical aid for the wounded". but on receipt of • message from there about the situatioR being reassuring. " it dropped the Ide ....

Representation to the Uda~is and Namdharis on the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The leaders of the Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee

Were fn iavour of giving proper representation to the Udasis as a special caSe In consideration of their services to the Panth and the Gurdwaras. This was supported by a re!olutlon that had been passed by the Executive Commluee about a year and a half before the writing of this '.rter (some time In the summer of 1925). The Insistence of the Namdharis on separate representation however, not well founded as they afready enjoyed the right as Amri[dhari Sikhs. "Recogn ition of direct separate representation for Namdharis", ~he Aka" leaders wrote from Inside the fort, " would be a dangerous thing as It would be a preced ent for spliting up the Panth Into sm,lI camps. specially when the Namdharls have so far been having no Interest In the service of the Gurdwar .. ," but hl~ . actually, opp~sed the Gurdwara Reform movement (No. 187, pp. 302Âˇ03). WAS,

Other points There are In the documents In this volume a number of other points which have not been touched In this Introduction . For them the reader Is referred to the table of contents and the index which would help him locate the relevant information. GA ~D '"

July 5, 1965 Patlala

S [KGH

:xxxiii

A Select Bibliography

RiI¥ fRill iil;;laa' I R'iil' noiil'c' R'f<Ja, 8.aa I i!~6

fRUI ~~~a I aaa' >IIil'8l 8f<Ja t!' fef3<J'1f I iila3"ll f~UI iilWR'i'Bl"" I I'!tI'O 1:1'8R' I liifIJ.3JIij I --ma 1I'5ll"' >1161l'3 R'iiI' a.!g iii' a'a! I liifJf3Ra, '~'1a --11fn ault!i I >iffJf3Ra I <!!<lalllJ mill mma I 1J<J1~1;it;;?; (noiil'c' R'fua) I ,~at: I OI~ fRill (AlJ'~iil) I 1.it!'a ('t:ac-'1~ao) I 1.itl'lI1 R'f<Ja >llCI'iniI, ~fQ'>I'<!', '6~'1 I

--iJIllCa !lel;ill fAW I lJ"~m R'fJa lIfil'iI'~l, ~fll'>l'<!:'. '6~'11 3'iI'

fiw, WAG'a

i/<il1;!'t!

lIfiH3J'Ia, '~al.l I

O'<Ja fRw filI""ol I """,,,, "l~ 8f<Jai I !!fll'>l'<!:" '~eo I nac fA"1lI I >II~'i!'!l Ho.J >113 faa I lJfG'>II'w, '1~I.I~ I 1{3'lJ rRW fOl'll'ol I >llCl1i!'!1 8fiJa t!' fef3iJ1R I lIf-fJf3Ra, '1~I.I'I I '~i!'!",=,;Jl' t!' D7iil'<!' R'fui! ilia' I ~iJ7i fR"W~'" ;n;rnCi R'ii!' (I{l D7iil'C' R'fua) I 3003'ao I Ii?».!' fRw '1:111 I ill~ !lel R'foa li·el HiJO f~w ill ~'" 300 il'lIOl Akali Dal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (Confidential).

Punjab Goyernment, Simla, 1922.

Akali Leader's Cases of 1923-25. Akali Prisoners, Public Opinion on the Question of the Release of. Na.tional Publication Bureau, Lahore 1925. Andrews, C.F_ Statement regarding Guru ka Bagh. Manchester Guardian, September 19, 20, 1922; Tribune, February 15, 24, 1924. Congre" Enquiry Committee, Report on the Guru ka Bagh. Am rl tsar, 1924. Ganda Singh (Ed.). Bhagat Lakshman Singh: Autobiography. Calcutta, 1965.

xxxi v

The Struggle for Freedom of Religious Worship at Jai/o . Am rltsar. 1924. Baba Kharak Singh Abhinandan Granth. Delnl. 1953.

lalto. Nabha.

Sahn l. Ruenl Ram. Struggle for Reform in Sikh Shrines. Shiromanl Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. Amrltsar , 1964.

Sikh Studies. Lahore. 1937. Sethi . G.R. Sikh Struggle for Gurdwara Reform. Amritsar.

Sardul Singh Kaveeshar. 1927. Sundram. G.A.

Guru ka Bagh Satyagrah . Madras. 1923

Gurdwara Reform Movement and the Sikh Awakening. lullundur. 1924. Teja Singn. Essays in Sikhism. Lahore. 1944.

(Teja Singh.)

Lilt of Abbreviation. used in the Text

A.G.G. A. S. C. I. D. C. L. A. C. L. A. A. Cr. L.A.A. D.D. D.D. Sajjan D. O. G. G. G. R. H.E. H.H. I. P. C. L. C. M ,L .C. R. S. S, A.D.

S_ B. S, G. Act S.G.P,C. S. S. W. C.

Agent to the Governor-General Arian Singh Criminal Intelligence Department Criminal Law Amendment Criminal Law Amendment Act Criminal Law Amendment Aot DehraDun Dehra Dun Friend, Maharaja Ripudaman Singl. of Nabha Demi-official Governor-General

Gurdwara Reform His Excellency His Highness Indian Penal Code Legislative Council Member of the Legislative CowlCil Raja Singb Shiromani .u,ali Dal Sardar Bahadur Sikh Gurdwaras Act Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Sardar Sahib Working Committee

--xxxvii

'L ilt of Documents Included 1. 2.

6.12.17

4/5.2.18

12.4.18

17.4.18

245.18

27.821

8.11.21

10.11.21

10.

18/19.1.22

11. 12. 13.

19.3 22 21.3.22 2.8.23

L.M. Crump to Foreign Minister, Nabha, .ending list of politi,ca1 agitators in the Punjab 1-4 Digest of proceedings of meeting at 5 the Viceregal Lodge Confidential letter No. 205 C. A. from Political Agent to Foreign Minister, Nabha 6 Confidential No. 237, from Chief Secy .. Nabha, to Foreign Minister, appointing a committee to collect instances of treaty rights not fully observed by Govt. 7 List of cases where treaty rights were not fully observed by Government 8Âˇ9 S.G.P.C. Resolution No 2, asking Sikh Councillors to resign 10 S. G. P. C. telegram regarding Golden Temple Keys taken away by Government --Emergent meeting at Akal Takht on 10.11.21 10 S. G. P. C. Reso. No.3, asking Sikh Councillors to resign 10 . Mahatma Gandhi '. telegram of congratulations to Sardar Kharak Singh, President, S.G ,P.C. 11 Huppression of Akalis in Kapurthala State 11-15 Revised order of Ticca Sahib, Kapnrthala 15-17 H.D. Craik, Chiof Secretary, Punjab, to C.M.G. Ogilvie, Administrator, Nabha State, to postpone action against Namdharis regarding forest rights in Nabha 18 For Administrator's reply, see No. 188

303

xxxviii

14.

14.12 .23

MahBtaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha to Lord Rending, Viceroy and G.G. of India, regarding his abdication and treatment by Political Agent. 18-24 Viceroy and G.G. to Maharaja of Nabha, refuting H. H.'. allegations and informing him that Government decision was irrevocable 24-28

Iii.

3.3.2~

16.

7 124

Arrest of 62 members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandbak Committee 28-33

17.

7. 1 24

Resolution of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandbak Committee condemning the action of the Government in anesing Shiromani Gnrdwara Parbandbak Committee mombers 33-34

18.

92 .24

Declaration of orders of Akal Takht to Shahidi Jatha of 500 proceeding to Jaito 35-37 to rema.in nonviolent

In.

18.7.24

Statement of Bhai Niranjan Singh of Gobindgarh regarding firing at Jaito on 21.2.24 37-40

20.

Statement of Sodhi Jagat Singh of Nabha regarding firing at Jaito on 21.2.24 40Âˇ42

21.

Statement of Kishan Singh, Sepoy No. 3298, Akal Infantry, Nabha, regarding 42-44 firing at Jaito on 21.2.24

22.

Statement of Hav. Sewa Singh and Sepoy Hardit Singh, Akal Infantry, Nabha, 44-45 regarding firing at J"ito on 21.2.24

2.3.27. 28.

-l3.21 9.3.24

Copies of Mahatma Gandbi's letters regarding Akali movement 45-55 The .ame

xxxix.

29 .

20A.24

Secretary Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Co=ittee to Mahatma Gandhi in reply to hia letters 56Âˇ59

30.

7.4 .24

Basis proposed by Shiromani Gurdwar", Parbandhak Committee for Birdwood Committee 69-70

31.

16.4.24

Notes handed over to General Birdwood 70- i t

32.

17.4.24

B â&#x20AC;˘.sis proposed by General Birdwood Draft resolution by Panjsb Government

33.

71 71 -7-1

34.

244.24

35.

31.7.23

Draft proposed for Shiromani GurdwBra Parbandhak Committee 74 J"etter of Maharaja of Nabha disclaiming responsibility for and sympathy with Nabha affairs agitation 74-75

36.

25.4.24

Proposed basis of settlement

37.

25.424

Release of Akali prisoners when the bill is passed

75-76 76

38.

28.4.24

New terms suggested by Bbai Jodh Sin'gh 76-79

39.

28.4.24

40.

28.4.24

Working Committee's approval gramme Draft Communique proposed

41.

28.4.24

Words of the ardas proposed

42.

30.4.24

43.

30.4.24

Instructions for Bhai Jodh Singh and S. Narain Singh 81-83 'Preliminary condition 83

45.

15.24

Revised draft of proposed resolution by Punjab Government 83-85 llh.i Jodh Singh to Mr. Craik 86-87

46. 47. 48.

1.5.24

Bhsi Jodh Singh to Mr. Craik

9.5.24 10.5.24

44.

of pro-

79 79-80 80

87-88

Sardar Narain Singh to General Birdwood 88 H. D. ersik to Bhai Jodh Singh 89-90

49.

11.5.24

Bhai Jodh Singh to Mr. Craik

50.

12.5.24

Bhai Jodh Singh to Mr. Craik

90-91

51.

18.5.~4

Secretary Nego. Com. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (Daulat Singh) to 8ardars Narain Singh and Jodh Singh 91-94

21524

S. Narain Singh to Bhai Jodh Singh

53.

24.5.24

Prime Minister, Patia.\a (Da.ya Kishan Kaull, to Master Chanda Singh, editor, the Panth Sewak, Amritsar, regarding the payment of his allowance 95-96

54.

265 .24

Bhai Jodh Singh to Mr. Craik

55.

26.5.24

56.

27 .5.24

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee communique regarding Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Jathas to Jaito to establish right of worship 97-98 Bhai Jodh Singh to Mr. Craik 98-100

57.

June, 19240 Press statement by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee regarding break100-105 age of Birdwood Negotiations

58.

25.7.24

59.

27.7 . ~4

60.

16.8.24

96-97

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee negotiations with Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha 105-113 113-120 Continuation of the above Sardar Mangal Singh to Secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee regarding Panikkar's talks with Motilal Nehru, Dass and C,F. AndrewsSardars Jogendra Singh and Ujjal Singh 120-21

61,

Sardar Mungal Singh to Sardar Arj an Singh, sending Panikkar'. I.tter

121

xli 62.

18.8.24

K. M. Panikkar to S . Mangal Singh regarding inter views with Pt. Motila l Nehru, C.R. Dass a nd C.F. Andrews 122-23

63.

218 .24

Sardar Mangal Singh to Secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, regarding publication of statement regarding Birdwood negotiations in the

64.

22.8.24

6il.

22.8.24

66.

21.8.2~

67.

24.8.24

68.

19.24

69 .

16.9.24

Forward 123-24 Sardar Mangal Singh to Secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee , regarding the above 124-27 K. M. Panikkar to Forward, Calcutta, regarding the above

127

Letter of Sardar GurbakBh Singh, Ambala city

128

Sardar Raja Singh to President Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, submitting hi. resignation as a protest against rejection of Birdwood settlement by Akali leaders 128-29 Sardar Jogendra Hingh to Sardar Narain Singh, M. L C., promising to intervene wi th the Government. for settlement between the Government and the Sikh. 129-131 Risaldar Sundar Singh and seven others asking the Sikh councillors to prepare Gurdwara Bill wit h the co-operation of sympathetic friends-Bill may be accepted even if the Government does not agree to relense Akali prisoners before th. passage of the Bill, etc_ 131-34

70.

4.10.24

SirSardar Jogendra Singh to S . Arjan Singh, mentioning points for decision

134

xlii 71.

23. tl.24

Bhai Jodb Singh to Secy .• Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandha·k Committee. reo garding interviews with Mr. Emerson 134.35

72.

24. 11.24

Secretary Shiromani Gurdwnrn. Parbandhak Committee to Secretary Sikh Council Party (Bhai .Todh Singh). stating no objection to preparing Gurdwara Bill

73.

2611.24

Bhai Jodh Singh to Sardar Maogai Singh regarding the first meeting for Bill on Nov. 29. 1924 135·36

74.

26. 11.24

Bhai Jodh Singh to Mr. Emerson. Deputy Commr., Lahore, regarding discussion of the proposed Bill 136·37

75.

10.12.24

Mr. Emerson to Bhai Jodh Singh seoding a printed copy of the draft Bill

76.

Dec. 24

77.

78.

135

137

S. Mehtab Singh and 23 other. in Lahore fort to Secretary. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. giving full authority to members outside to decide matters without consulting them as they could not arrive at unanimous decisions on account of mutual differences 138·39 Sohan Singh Chctanpuri and five others in Lahore fort t o Secretary. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandbak Committee. insisting on the release of prisoners before the bill-modifications suggested 139·42

20.12.24

Singb Chuharkana to Secretary. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandllak Committee, against a.cceptance of proposed Bill and dropping of Nabh.. question 142·44

Tejl>

xliii

79 .

20.12.24

TIhai. Jodh Singh to :lfr. F.mersondesirability of retaining the name of Shiromani Gurdwara Parb.ndhak Committee-meeting of illside and out.side members fur discuasion of Bill 144路45

80.

22. 12.2-1

Mr. H.W . Emerson to TIbai Judh :>inghasked for t he names 路 of the outside members to meet the inside ones-not agreeing to the name Shiromani Gurdwaro. Parba ndhak Commi t tee 145路4.6

81.

23.12.2-l

Mr. Emerson to Bhai Jodh Singh-regrets jnability to gra llt permission to outside memoers to see those inside Lahore fort

14.6

llhni Jodh Singh to Sikh eouneillorsinvi ting them for discussion of Bill on December 29, wi. h those inside the fort

147

Bhai Jodh Singh t o Mr. Emerson asking for jnterview witll the Governor, Punjab

147

Mr. ~:merson to Bhai .rodh Singh insisting on preliminary agreement on dropping of the name 'Rhiro nuHli Gurdwnra Parbandhak Committee'

148

82.

83 . S4.

27.12.24

1.1.25 2. 1.25

85.

().U5

86.

9.1.25

87.

14.1.25

nlta i J odh Singlt to Mr. Emerson asking for .. l1mving the Central Board to choose its own name- the name Shiromani Gurdwara P ",riJnndhak Committee could be dropped 14 8路49 Bltai Jodh Singh t o Mr. Craik to construe the move of Sikhs for settlement with Government in true light 149 Mr. Emerson t o Bhai .Todh Singh informing him that his letter of January 9 w as llnder consideration of Govt.

1.49

xliv 88.

15.2.25

89.

10.3.25

90.

91.

29.3.25

3.4. 25

92.

Bhai Jodh Singh to Mr. Emerson-Jlill should be considered during Budget session-asked for permission for Shiromani Gurdwara Parb. ndhak Committee to consult members in various jails Secy., Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, to Secy. Sikh Council Party to put Tara Singh MLC in charge of Bill

150

Secy. Sikh Council Party, Bhai Jodh Singh, to Secy. Shiromani Gurdwara P,,,bandhak Committee sending a copy of Draft Gurdwara Bill for consideration oflawyer members of Sub-Committee

151

Mr. Craik to Bhai Jodh Singh-interview of Bill Drafting Sub-Committee with the Governor on April 6

151

150

Part of a representation of Chief Khalsa Diwan regarding proposed Gurdwara Bill 152-54

93.

7.4.25

Bhai J odh Singh-meeting of subcommittee for discuasion of Bill on April 10 154-55

94.

10.4.25

Proceedings of sub-committee-resolved that S. Narain Singh be in charge of the Bill-Tara Singh's dissent-threat to resign 155Âˇ56

95.

10.4.2-4

Bhai J odb Singh, Secretary Sikh Council Party, to Mr Craik, informing him that Tara Singb ~n.C would be in charge of the Bm

96.

27/28 6.25

Mr. C.G. Beazley to Tara Singh MLC asking for material on the history and

156

xlv

97.

29.6 .25

98.

99 .

circumstanoos of Shl1bidganj Gurdwara at Lahare

156

Tara Singh MLC to Master nanlat Singh, Secy., Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, a.sking for material on Shahidganj Gurdwara, Lahore

157

Purport of Mr. Petm..n's interview with the Governor, regarding proposed Gurd wara Bill 157 -58 14.7.2;;

Assurance of six members of Shiromani

Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee t o Tara Singh and Jodb Singh, MLCs, that if Govt. agreed to release Akali prisoners without individual undertaking, they would have tbe Shiromani Gurdwara P ..rbandhak Committee pass resolution for working the Bill 158-59 100. 101.

12/19.1.25

17.7.25

Extracts from S.B. Mehtab Singh'. diary 159-63 Riaald"r Sunda.. Singh to S. B. Mehtab Singb accusing S. Mangal Singh and his companions for bre .. ch of secrecy

163

Objection and observation. of S. Bhog 163-65 Singh Vakil regarding proposed Bi1l

102. 103.

25.7.25

104.

4.8.25

Statement of 19 members of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee under 166-69 the signatures of Teja Singh Samundri (From inside the fort) to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee outside-why delay in passing resolution for working the Bill-correct information asked for about creation of two parties, one for and one against working of BilI-

xlvi breach of trust to insist on release of other Akalis 169-70 iO.).

Wo .

Resolutions of W.C. for sending of Jatha to Jaito-jatha should reach on July 21 - Bhai .Jodl! Singh and three other MLCs to make necessary arrangements for jatha in consultation with Administrator, Nabha-unconditional release of prjsoners 170-71 20.R.2!i

107.

Resolution of \Vorking Cmnmittee of Shiromani Gur(lwara Parbandhak Committee 171· 72 Maharaja of Nabha.'s letter to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandha:k Committee regarding working of Bill and dropping of )l'abha question 172·74

108.

Daya Kishan Kaul, Prime Minister, Patiala, to Col St. John sending a Note on t]Je sen'icc8 of Patialu. in combating SikJl agitation and AkaH movement 174-75

100.

Note on the Services rendered by Patiala in combating Sikh Agitation and Akali 175-89 Movement

110.

Confidential note of Home ::\iinister, Patiala, LiatJat-Hayat Khan, to H. R. Maharaja Bhupendra Singh of Patiala on Political Agitation in Patiala State and recommendjng certain persons for reward for cOl1spicious service to the Patiala Government 189·92

111.

22.9.25

Telegram from S. Arjan Singh suspending Morcha at Bhai Pheru

193

xlvii \12.

26 .9.25

113.

5 ,1.26

1l4.

21.2.26

115. 116.

26.2.26

13.3.2R

S. Teia Singh Ghawind to .l athedar No",1 Singh to accept the suspens ion of Bhn i Phe'll ~lorcha by S. Arjan Singh and not to launch any separate morch.. 193-9~ Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee comminique No. 39 expressing its neutrality regarding the appointment of ministers by Government 194-95 Resignation of S. Mehtab Singh, President Shiromani Gurd wara Parbandhak Committee (rejected W.C. on 22.2. 1926)

by 195-96

S . Mangal Singh'. statement stopping party propaganda in Akali newspapers

196

AI.hindar Singh Sidhwan, Geneml Secretary, Shiroma.ni Gurdw(lrn Parbandltak Committee, to the Provo Congo Com. , Lahore, Rsking for payment of Ro. 14000/- (Akali Prisoners' Relief Fund)

191

117.

13,326

Mahindar Singh Sidhwan , General Secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara. Parbandhak Committee, requesting Teja Singh Samundri to write t o S, Maghar Singh LyaUpuri and Baba K eltar Sing.h to pay back the Shiromani Gurdwa ra Parbanrlhak Committee money deposited with them 197-98

llS.

15.4.26

Tara Singh, MLC, Mog.. , to General Secy., Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, asking to be a.ppointed Shiromani Gnrdwara l'arbanrlhak Committee lawyer on R s. 1000/. p . m.

xlviii

119.

19.4.26

120.

28.4.26

121.

29.4.26

122.

6,5,26

123.

and asking for allowances of Rs. 500/p.m. in the meantime 198Âˇ99 Mahinder Singh Sidhwan, General Secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, to Mangal Singh Aka1i, regarding the attitude of AkaIi Party, general election and Akali prisoners 199-200

Mangal flingh Akali to General Secretary, Shiromani Gnrdwara Parbandhak Committee, regarding election and Akali prisoners 200-03 Assistant Manager, .Junam Asthan Gurdwara, Nankana Sahib, to Secretary Law Deptt.) Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, informing him about the Mahant party collecting Rs. Â§OOO/- for payment as a bribe to the Magistrate trying cases under section 145 203-04

Bardar Mehtab Singh's interview with the Chief ~ecretnry to the Panjab Govt., regarding (i) Kallar and Kahuta schools, (ii) double fine realized from 3 men of Chak No. 63 Jhang Branch. (iii) confiscation of the property of Charan Singh of Tehsil Fateh-jang, Distt. Campbellpore, (iv) arre,ts for offences before the Bill was passed, (v) interview of S. Randhir Singh of Kalaswala with the Education Minister about Kallar school 204-06 DanIat Singh, Secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, to Maharaja of Nabha, enquiring if he would agree to be nominated to the

:xlix

124. 125.

27.5.26

126.

27.5.26

127.

2!.5.26

27.5 .2G

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee 206·07 Reminder of the above 207 l?rof. Teja Singh to Secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Bending a copy of the statement issued by S. Narain Sin?h Vakil and himself 207·08 Statcment of the above asking the

parties (i) to postponc election, (ii) to suspend party agitation and (iii) to suspend propaganda for 8arbat Khalsa Conference Prof. Teja Singh's telegram regarding the above

208 209

128.

15.6.26

(No. H) The Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, to Secretary. Shromani Qurd\vara. Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar, thanking for the promise not to send jathas to Rawalpindi scene of riots, situation being well in hand 209-10

129.

18.6.26

General Secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara parhandhak Committee, to D.C. Amritsar, informing him that Shiromani Gurdwara Parhandhak Committee wished to send only medical aid and not any jathas to Rawalpindi-dropped

210

130.

26.6.26

Thakur Singh, General Secretary, Akali Dal. to Secy., Gargajj Diwan an d Central Majha Diwan , asking them no t to at tack Akal Takht for its possession 210·11

13 I.

7.7 .26

Shiromani Gurdwara Parhandhak Committee Press communique regarding Sir .Tohn Maynard's speech about release o( Akali prisoners 211-13

132.

5.8.20

President and General Secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, to Jathedar (Baba) Khorak Singh (in jail) requesting him to sign certain documents about fixed deposits of the Shiromani Gurdwara P.rbandhnk Committee

213

133.

Agr.ement between Hindus and Sikhs regarding Bhai Pheru 213Âˇ14

134.

Undertaking given to Shiromani Gurdwara. Parbandhak Committee by Sikh candidates before their election a. MLC.

214

Sardar Mehtab Singh to Private Secy. to H. H . Maharaja of Patiala seeking interview with H.H.

215

135.

4.2.26

136.

16,2.26

Report (ail'ned on 26.2.26) of interview of the representatives of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee with H. R. Maharaja Bhupendra Singh of Pati.la on 16.2.26 215-18

137.

17.2.26

Farman of H.H. Maharaja Bahadur of Pati ..la regarding the release of prisoners -copy to Sardar Bahadur Mehtab Singh, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee

211l

List of Akali prisoners ordered by R.H. to be released , omitted-See under 189

304

138. 139.

17.2.26 2.3.2fi

Priva te Secretary to H.R. Patia} .. to Gen. Secretary. Shiromani Gurdw..r& Parb.. ndhak Committee, fixing March 29, 1926, for interview of S.B. Mehtab Singh 219Âˇ20

Ii 140.

19.3.26

Genera! Secretary Shiro man; Gurd wara. Pl1rbandhak Committee to Pte. Secy. P atia!a requesting for another date for interview

141.

27.3.26

142.

1.4.26

143.

20.2.26

144 .

25.226

Pte. Secy. Patia.la to General Secretary. Shiromani Gurdwara. Parbandhak Committee. fixing April 4 or 5 for interview 22 1 General Secretary Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Corrunittee to Private Secy. Patial ... accepting April 5 for interview 221-22 Sardar Arbel Singh. Kapurthala. to Sardar Ba hadur Mehta b Singh. President. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, informing date of interview with Maharaja of K.purthala. March 4. 1926 222 General Secretary to Prof Arbel Singh. Kapurthala. giving names of persons going for interview 223

145.

13.426

146.

22.3 .:26

147.

22.3 .26

220

D . O. from Sardar ATbel Singh to S. B . Mehtab Singh -decision about ... on or about 17th L\pril 223 General Secretary. Shiromani Gurdwara Parba ndha.k Committee, to Prof. Arbol Si ngh, aending letters for H . H . and Diwan Sahib for contribution to Gurdwara Defence Fund 223-24 Sardar Kart .. r Singh D iwana . President Shiromani Gurdwarn. Parba.ndhak Committee. t'l K.B. Diwan Abdul H"mid Khan, Chief ;iinister. KapurthaJa, requesting him to secure from H. H . contribution to Gurd war. Defence Fund

224

Iii 148.

22.3.26

149.

13.2.26

150.

21.2.26

151.

25.3.26

152.

1.1l.30

153.

154.

13.3.34.

Bardar Kartar Singh Diwana to H. H Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Knpurtlta la for contribution to Gurdwaora Defence ]<'und 224-25 S.B. Mehta!> Singh, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Pllrbandhak Committee, to S.B. Indar Singh, Faridkot State, ask ing for date and time for interview 225 S.B. Indar Singh, Faridkot State, to S.B. Mehtab Singh, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, expressing inability to invite Shiroroani Gurdwara Parbandhak Commi ttee 22G deputation to Faridkot State President, Shiromani Gurdwaru Parbandhâ&#x20AC;˘.k Committee, to President. Faridkot State, informing him that the Shiromani Gurdwara Purbandhak Committe representatives desired to' see him regarding Akali prisoners In Faridkot jail 226-~7 Nasir-ud-Din, Manager, Muslim Cloth House, Lahore, to President Shiromani Gurdwara Paibandhak Committee, Amritsar, promising not to sell foreign cloth after November 16, and to abide by the wishes of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parba ndhak Committee

227

Master Tara Singh to Master Kishan Singh of Kapurthala asking him to be at Pati"la to help him in Patinl .. Inquiry against the 'devil of Patial,,'

227

Copy of Entry No. 86, in the J agir Register pertaining to Shahidgani, Lahore district. Ommitted

liii 105.

Sta.tement of Giani Nu.ranjatl Singh

regarding Jaito Morcha recorded by 228·34 Giani Nahar Singh on Aprill5, IU37

Letters from Inside the Lahore Fort 156.

Information from Prof. Teja Singh: (i)

Raja Singb's interview with Mahamja Nabha-be said he had signed the letter to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandh.k Committee under pressure from Bawa Harkishan Singh in the name of .the nation and Akal Takht

(ii)

No satisfactory reply as to how the Nabha agitation was religious

(iii)

S. Amar Singh Jhabbal resigned thinking that a grave mistake had been made in taking up the Kabha question

(iv)

Master Sundar Singh Lyallpuri thought Nabha question should be transferred to Sikh Len guo otherwise he would agitate against it 237·38

157 .

Sardar Gurbakhsh Singh of Sialkot given

a letter by the ll. C. to Mr. L"ngley, Commissioner of the Division, regarding settlement of Jaito Morcha 138·39 Observations and instructio.ns of Aka.li leaders inside the Lahore fort that the 13th jatha to Juito should remain perfectly nonviolent, following the programDle of the previous jathas 239-40

L58.

159.

(v)

Instructions from leaders inside Lahore fort about the jatha of the Sudh&r Committee

Jiv

, 60.

(ii)

Hindu and Muslim councillors be approached for help through Pandit Madan Mohan !l!alaviya and Dr. Kitchlew

(iii)

Pressure be exerted on the Government by strengthening the movement

(iv)

Support of the public through public meetings should be secured for the bill when presented-Sardar Gnrdit Singh, their co-accused should be helped from Akali Prisoners Relief Fund 2~O-Âˇi3

(i)

Statement of IlliJitary officers should be given widest publicity

(ii)

Refer to General Committee resolution of the 16th or 26th August, 1922, regarding settlement with Mahant Kirparam

, 61.

(iii)

The question of the Gurdwara Bill should be kept secret

(iv)

Differences among the Akali leaders inside L.hore fort regarding Nabha question

(v)

Correspondence should be sent to Lahore fort in sealed covers 243-45

(i)

The l,ropaganda of Zail committ ees shou1<l be countoracted

(iil

Aka li Sabaik Board should be rovived

(iii) (v, vi) (vii)

No pretence should be authorities to be violent Anti-Akali people through publicity

provided to

should be exposed

Enquiry into Kohat incident should he made

245-48

Iv 162.

Efforts regarding Gurdwara BiIlco·operation and help of Hindu members should be sought through Pandit Madan 248·5 1 Mohan Mal.viya

163.

Suggeations regarding Gurdwara :Bill with co.operation of Hindus-appoinLment of regency at Nabha

~5l

164.

Weak financial position - Raizada unwilling to contin.ue as a defence council in the absence of paymentpropaganda of Akali newspapers against Chief Khalsa Diwan harmful-shoul<l be stopped 251·53

165.

Chief Khalsa Diwan-Sikh Leagueshould be no ob jection to moderate Sikhs' deputation going to Govemmentdeputation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Akali Dal might also wait upon the authorities a.fter sa.tisfactory comprimiseCo.operation of Hindus absolutely 253·57 necessary with the Bill

l66.

Attitude towards Zail committeeavigorous agitation suggested against the appointment of Receiver at Nankana. Sahib-Pandit Malaviya and the co· operation of Panjab Hindns-Malaviy" said that the Sikh case was very strong and he was in favour of defending itlanguage of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee communiques was at times very objectionable-que,tion of funds, etc. 257 ·61

Âˇ Ivi 167.

Allegabions againsb the 10th jatha should be enquired into -there should be nO speeches during the tour of the Jabhasthe Bande Matram should be helped ,i n it. defence-repression at Bhai Pheru. etc. 261-64

168 .

Maharaja of Nabha to issue sbatement ..boub the involuntary nature of Iris abdiction-talks with Mahatma Gandhi regarding Nabha-Nabha question should not be made life and death questionMr. Das should be requested t o help our cauae in England 264-67

IU9_

Enquiry regarding the apology of Jathedar Partap Singh and Ishar Singh-enquiry about Sewak Jatha Jullundur-Negotiations File

170_

The policy of the Hindustan should be neutral-Mr. Das be requested to enlighten British public about our cause-some our mall should go to England- Relat ions ofShiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Aka Ii Dal not happysboold be improved-to enquire about Raj .. Singh or Arjan Singh approaching Sardar Sundar Singh Majithia for conciliation with Government-Baha Kehar Singb 'a talk with Sardar Sundar Singh Majithia-financial position of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee 268Âˇ 71

171-

'fo enquire about 400 roen of Shahidi Jatha having apologized-interviews in Nabha jails-Sani Didar Singh was not given any message for D.D. friend-

Ivii

celebration of 14th Sept. day-Sardar ,Togendra Singh's message through Sardo, Narain Singh-Draft of Bill with llllanimous consent of W.C.-Mn.laviyaji to be approached-wishing Bill be presented in Council by Hindus 271-73 172.

Money in banks-new cause for a morcha. at Nankana or Guru ka Bagh-Sardar Jogcndra Singh and Council of State in England-Pandit Malaviya to be approached-nomination for a substitute to W.C,-Sardar Samp Singb's workappeal for funds 273-76

173.

Arrangements for money from banksNankana Sahib case-treatment to Teja Singh Bhuchar-Five-anna appeal~fahatma Gandhi be approached for help in funds-Pandori Gol,. and Kaleran-Sant Didar Singh and funds case I-Inform lIIalaviya and Nehru abont treatmenet in Nabha jails 276-79

174.

Leaders inside the fort send views with the consent of majority_ee letter of Risaldar and others 279-80 Sh..hidi latha should go as seheduleddilferences about views sent by leaders from Lahore fort-So Mangal Singh, Amar Singh Jhabbal-Khalsa College agitation to be suspended -advice, not to lose heart 280Âˇ82 Complaint by outside workers about unnecessary interference by leaders inside the fort-So Mangal Singh and Amar Singh Jh"bbal 282-83

175.

176.

lviii 177.

S. Ma.ngal Singh be sent to Malaviyaj i at Simla to apprise him of true situationBhai J odh Singh and Sardar Sundar Singh-Bhai Jodh Singh to be taken in confidenee-revised draft regarding D.D. friend 's letter-Line of argument with Maharaja of Nabha 283-86

178.

Mr. Petman and compromise with Govt.

179.

S. Mehtab Singh's letter to Mr. Patman

180.

Intention of GO\-t. regarding the BilInot much opposition by Hindus and Muslims-fear of indirect opposition from Mian Fazl-i-Husain-Dr. KitchJew be approached

286 286-88

288

181.

Letters of S.B. Mehtab Singh-cause of W.O. not passing resolution to work the Bill-Teja Singh's views, not destructive 288-89

182.

Opinions regarding the working of the Bill-relea.se of prisoners issue-Sir Malcolm Hailey a clever and firm man 289-92

183.

J"tha from America-appointment of Receiver 9t Nankana Sahib-no false news be published-their harmful effect -Bill and Hindus-meeting at Delhi 293-96 regarding Hindu-lluslim riots

184.

Preparation for a morcha. a.t Nankana Sahib or Guru ka Bagh-reasons and a.dvantages-accounts Buit- depositmoney in banks 296-98

185.

Nabha-suggestion regarding Council of Administration 298Âˇ99

Ii>: S. Gulab Singh's intention-suggestion for a Committee of Conciliation-S. Jogendra Singh's move for a. Concilia.tion DoardPandit Malaviya and Nehru-S. Mangal Singh should go to Simla-receiver at Nankana Sahib-D. D. Sajjan to Sardar Mehtab Singh 299·301 Representation to Udasis in Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandbak Committee to be encouraged-direct separa.te representation for Namdharis would be dangerous -forum for arbitration a=ptable to Hind us and Sikhs 302·03

186.

187.

188.

189.

30.8.23

17.2.26

190.

9.1922

191.

25.9.1922

192.

28.6.1934

D.O. No. 770 from Mr. C.M.G. Ogilvie, Administrator of Nabha State, to H.D. Craik, I.e.S.-mere enquiry about Namdhari right to forest land in Nabha -they had no deed of gift-matter not urgent (see No. 13)

303

List of Akali prisoners in Patiala jails ordered to be released by RH. Maharaja Bhupendra Singh-omitted under 138 (see No. 137)

304

Statement of Maulan.. Kifayatu\lah giving an eye·witne.s account of the beating of the Akali Sikhs by the police at Guru ka Bagh Prof. Ruehi Ram Sahni to Mr. A. W. Mercer, D.LG. Police. Amritsar, regarding 307·08 robbing of the publie by police during Guru ka Bag Morcha Master Tara Singh to Sir Sardar Sundar Singh Majithia, apologizing for his 308·09 improper writings against the Sardar

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction

vIII

Political Agitators In 1917 viii Treaty Rights of the Indian Ruling Princes X The Darbar Sahib Keys Agitation x Guru ka Bagh Affair xl Repression In Native States xii xII Kooka Opposition to the Akall Movement Abdication of the Maharaja of Nabha xiv xv Council of Administration for Nabha Jaito Morch. xvi Arrest of Akali Leaders xvi Mahatma Gandhi's Letters xvii The Blrdwood Committee xix Gurdwara Act, 1925 xxi The N.bh. Question xxiv Services of the Patlala State to Government xxiv Allowances to Newspapermen xxv Chief Khalsa Diwan and the Khalsa COllege, Amrltsar xxv Morcha at Bhal Pheru xxvi The Sikh Sudhar and Zail Committees xxvII Release of Prisoners In Patlala State xxvII Other Sikh States xxviii Proposal for the Appointment of a Rece iver at Nankana Sahib xxviII Financial Difficulties of the Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandh.k Committee XXvIII Differences between Akall Leaders xxix

\xii Riots In Rawalpindi xxx Representation to Udasls and Namdharls ~on the Shiromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee xxx Other Points WXD A Select Blbl iography xxxiii list of Abbreviations used In th e Text xxxv lis t of Documents Included xxxvii Some Confidential Papers of the Akali Movement 1-309 No. I to 192-the actual documents

Errata

311

Index

315

ILLUSTRATIONS H.D. Cralk's letter to C. M.G. Ogilvie, August 2, 1923, regarding Kooka, II Mahatma Gandhi's letter, d, ted Poona, March 9, 19204, to Akali Leaders 55 Maulana Muhammad Klfayatullah's statement regarding Guru-ka-Bagh, September 1932 305 Master Tara Singh's letter to Sir Sundar Singh Majlthla, dated Rangoon, June 28, 1934 309

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS of the AKALI MOVEMENT

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS of the

AKALl MOVEMENT 1

Confidential No. 963 D. 6·13. Patiala Dated 6th December 1917. Dear Sir,

enclose a printed copy of the list of the agitators in the Punjab for the use of the Duroar and request that precautions may be taken to keep the list strlcely confidential, and that the contents may not be disclosed to any official below the rank of Inspector General of Police. Telegrams regarding the agitators shOldd refer to them by numbers not by names. Yours £Incerely Sd. l.M. Crump To Pandlt Shri Krishna Joshi Foreign Minister, Nabha £tate, Nabha. H. H's order

Dated 22.12.17.

A typed copy of the list may be sent to the Chief of the Police. D.M . Narsinga Rao 27.{12 (Foreign Minister)

SOME CONFIDENl' I AL P.~PERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

Secret

Revised list of Prominent Agitators in the Punjab whose movements .hould be reported The Sub-joined rev ised prominent political Agita[Qrs

II" .hows the names

of the moot

in the Punjab on whose movements

Superintendents of Police are requested to keep a close watch_ In the event of an agitator leaving one dl"rlct for another, the officer whose dl"rict he leave. should at once communicate by ordinary telegram with the Superintendent of Police of which district such agitator is about to enter. In communicating the Information the

name of the Individual should not be mentioned the agitator's number on the list with the name of the province added, being all that I. required, e. g. :"Number One, Punjab left for Amrltsar tOday". The ordinary channel for reporting the movements of agitators will be the weekly cofidentlal diary, but Superintendents will use their discret ion in communicating with the Special branch by letter or wire, as may be cons idered necessary. When an agitator leaves the Punjab for another province, the Special branch must Invariably be informed by wire. The District and Railway police should co-operate with each other in giving information and watching the movementS of t hese men. The movements of political agitators of other prevince, who visit the Punjab will be similarly reported. Whenever an individual, whose name is included in the list of active poiitical agitators published In the secret police abstract, returns to his usual place of residence after an absence, the fact should be reported to this office by the Superintendent of Police in whose Jurisdiction he resides. N. B. The list does not purport to give the names of all agitators in province, and does not relieve Superintendents of police of the necessities of watching other individuals whose

movements, It is considered necessary or desirable to report.

S. No.

Name and Profession.

Resident of

Satya Dev

2. 3.

Anand Kishore Mehta Hanhand Singh

Jagan Nath Sehgal

Mangal Singh Kuka

Dr. Hari Nath Mukerjee Ch : Khuda Dad Khan Jessar Zafar All

7. 8.

Ludhlana

Tej. Singh . M.A.

10. Shiekh Mohd. Arjmand

where last reported, with date,

-'I Abstract for Para 10044.

5 1915.

Monghyr (Bihar and Orissa) . on 5th May 1917.

Lahore

Abstract for 1916 Interned at Chubara In Para 1634. the Muzaff.rgarh District Chak No. 220 R.B. Current abstract p.ra 426. Lahore. 19th M.y. 1917. Lyalpur Lahore Abstract for 1915 Interned at Pakhmlan, In para 23M. tne Multan Distirct. Originall y of F.tuhl Current abstract para GU Jranwala, 10th Feb .â&#x20AC;˘ Chak Gurdaspore 1-'10. 1917. and now 'of Dogranwala Gujranwala Ambala Ambala, 5th May . 1917. Current abstract para 399. Sialkot Abstract for 1915 para. lahore, 10th April . 1915. 1582. Karma Bad

Current abstract para Simla, 10 june. 1917. 417. Rawalp indi, 2nd june Gujranwala Current abstract para 1917. 484. Tarn Taran Amrltsar Abstract for 1913 P.ra In j.il. 1418. Contd. Gujranw~la

Last reference, In abstract.

II. Kidar Nath Sehgal

Lahore

12. Plndi Dass

GUjranwala

13. Zla-ul-Haq 14. Maulvi Abdullah

Hapur. Meerut Dlstt : U P Sialkot

15. Nihal Singh Nlhang

Koharka Amrltsar

16. Lal Chand Falak

Lahore

Abstract for 1915 p.ra 3258. Current abstract .para 88. Current abstract para 458. Current abstract para 469. Amrltsar for 1916 para 913. Current abstract para 401.

Interned at Pakh l Mlan. Multan. Interned In Jandawala. Mlanwali. Ferozepore. 26th May. 1917. Kabul. 18th Feb. 1916. Interned at Allpore. Muzaffargarh district. Under trial In a conspiracy case Lahore.

Note :-The above list of agltatotrs is revised upto the 31 st .M.y. 1917 .nd supersedes all previous lists. W ill Superintendents of Pollee. Pun jab â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘ 11 Special Branches and D.C.1. please note 1 (S.B. Punjab)

SOME CON FIT)ENTlAL PAPERS OF THE .~K.~LI MOV EMENT

3 Copy of • Digest of proceedings of the Informal meeting held in the Council Room at Viceregal Lodge on the 4th and 5th February. 1918. His Excellency the Viceroy said. at the outS([. that the conference was not intended to arrive at any final and binding decisions. It was proposed to consider and perhaps to revise the proposals which had been put forward . and to discuss new suggestions frankly .nd freely. Draft Scheme prepared by the Ruling princes. Each clause ·· of the draft scheme was then discussed separately. I: Treaty Rights. Dignity and Honours. priVileges and prerogatives of the Ruling prince and Chiefs of India. H Is Excellency stated .,thot : It was the Intention of the Government of India to maintain Intact and safeguard strictly the Treaty Rights and prerogatives of the ruling princes. In reply to an enqUiry as to whether any specific cases could be mentioned at the moment. the Ruling princes were apprehensive as to what might happen in the future. They wished to make sure that the fulfilment of the Treaties should not depend on the personal good-w ill of high officers Some states also contended that Treaty Rights were not conceded. because Individual Ruling Chiefs were not permitted to exercise the powers which belong to them by right to Treaty. His Excellency the Viceroy stated that postponement of further discussion of the point might enable some concrete instances ot disregard of Treaty r ights to be brought to notice before the next conference . It did not, of course. follow that any such instances brought to notice would be admitted by the Government of India to have Involved a breach of faith. but they would be carefully and sympathetlcally.crultlnised.

SOME CO NFIDENTIAL P APÂŁRS OF T HE AKALI MOVEME NT

4 Copy of a Confidential letter No. 205. C.A. dated the 12th April. 1918. from the POlitic.1 Agent. Phulklan States to Pandit Sri Krishana Joshi . Foreign Min ister . Nabha State . Nabha. I am directed to forward for reference a copy of Head I "Treaty Rights. Dignity and Honours , privileges and prerogatives of ruling prince and Chiefs of India" the proceedings of the Informal meetings held at viceregal Lodge Delhi , on the 4th and 5th February, 1918. 2. Some of the ruling princes present at the discussion were eVidently of opinion that the rights secured to states by Treaties . Sanads and Engagements had not, In practice, been fully observed by Government. They were unable at the moment to quote speCific instances of disregard of undertakings, but since allegations of the nature denote the existance of uneasiness and dissat Isfaction,

the Government of India regard it as desirable that the matter should be fully enqUired Into. 3. I am accordingly to ask whether the Darbar desire to bring ta notice any cases in which they consider that there has been a failure to fulfil pledges given by the British Government. I am to explain that at the present stage nothing more Is reqUired than the briefest possible statement of the nature of each complaint. If any . since it Is the intentian of the Government of India to offer later full apportunity for detailed representation if this Is desired. It is obvious that no useful purpose would be served by raking up ancient history and disinterlng forgotten d isputes in this conr.ectlon . and representation should . therefore, be confined to matters which constitute a grievance at the present moment.

I am to ask that I

may be favoured with a reply before the end of July. If na reply Is received by that date, it will be assumed that the Durbar does not des ire to reply.

SOME CO NF IDE NTI AL P APE RS OF THE AKALr MOVE,IENT

5 Confidential No. 237 Nabh •• Dated 17th April. 1918. Urgent Dear Sir ,

His Highness the Maharaja Sahib M.lvlndr. Bahadur is pleased to direct that the instances in which rights secured to this State by the Treaties. Sanads and Engagements had not. In practice. been fully observed by Government should be collected forthw ith by reference to past records. With the aid of memory and other devices. This investigation should cover the entire period, viz .. from the dates of

Treaties. Sanads and purpose

His

Engagements up to the

Highness

directs

the

present time. F«r this

formation

of a

committee

comprising the following as members :-

I. Sardar Hazura Si ngh 2. 3.

lala Tipper Chand lala Salig Ram Verma Pandlt Sri Krishna Joshi

The Foreign Hinister will act as the convenor. The Comm ittee should perpare an exhaustive list of cases in which they consider that there has been a failure to fulfil pledges given by the British Government to this State.

The list together with a report should be su bmitted by the Commi ttee for the consideration of His Highness on or before the 15th May 1918. The matter should be treated as Secret and Urgent. Yours Sincerely Sd/- D.H.Narasinga Rao Chief Secretary to His Hlg hne" To Pandlt Sri Krishna Josh i. Foreign Minister.

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALJ MOVEMENT

6 Nabha, 24th May,

1918.

Your Highness, In compliance with your Highness' order conveyed In the Chief Secretary's confidential memorandum No. 237, dated 17th April, 1918, we beg to bring to your Highness' notice the following cases in which we think that Treaties, Sanads and Engagements have not been fully observed by Government.

( I)

Interference In

matters

relating

to Imperial

Service

troops.

(Ii)

Requiring agreements ceding jurisdiction over areas under

railways in a form not approved by the Darbar and declaring the state's rights of sovereignty secured under the Punjab Government's letter No. 552 dated 24th July, 1899, as only nominal sovereignty.

(iii)

Enforcement of the Arms Act in lands brought under railway. (iv) Agreements required from the State to furnish Statistics relati ng to the State. (v) Interference with excise administration of the State, e.g.. requiring the prohibition of the sale of boiled opium. limiting the supply of hili opium and laterly asking the state to prohibit the Import of such opium altogether. (vi} Requiring the extradition of Mohammad Hussain Thanedar In disregard of the Darbar's representation. (vii) Cases of Mohru and Gopal. (Viii) Refusal to surrender subject of the State, e.g .. Shlvdev (ix)

Singh. Assigning of symbolic meanings to articles presented by Governments on the occasion of installation:

(x)

Insisting on the occasion of succession upon a fresh bestowfl or confirmation of the rights of sovereignty naturally vested in the heir to the State.

SOM E CONFIDEN TIA L PAPE RS OF THE AKALI

(xl) (xii)

(xiii)

(xlv)

(xv) (xvi) (xvii)

(xviii) (xiX) (xx)

MO VE~mN T

Defects In procedure on occasions of the reception of the rulers. Entertaining complaints from the subjects. Muafidars. Jagirdars. and dependants of the State contrary to the provision of the San ads of 5th May 1860.

Harbouring and encouraging servants and deserters from the State. e.g.• Bhal Kahan Singh. Sardars Bakhshlsh Singh and Shivdev Singh. Establishment of the ollice of a political agent in the capital of one of the Phulkian States. Interference in the case of the Shadi Fund. Interference in the Internal aff.irs of the State. e.g .• in the case of S. Jawala Singh 's deposit. Taking unauthorised possession of State lands by the Canal Department . e.g .• in the Dadahur case and other c>ses referred to in letter No. dated to the Political Agent. Interference in the matter of the Inslgnis of the State. Insisting upon uhe countersignature of the Political Agent on the passes fornamp drugs. D'lmand of Guarrantees from the State In regard to future

action. (xxi) Insisting upon the personal attendance of the Ruler of the State to discuss matter in which he had delegated representative to whom reception was denied. Such files In support of the above instances as Were found in the Foreign Office are submitted and notes have been attached to each fife referring to the important letters in which complaints were made.

Your Highness' Humble servants

II>

SOME CON FIDE NTIAL P APERS OF THE AK ,\LI MOVEMENT

9g fJJ ~lfuqr~ ill 011 ,,3<1 I ~,,30 l:!.HCl qro~QT UO>lQOI OIHel '!! >i!flJ."l1O' Page 23 of the Proceeding book R.es. No.2 dated 27th August. 1921.

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8. II. 21.

e 'tla ti fEil1iJ3 Hail OIE11

3'0 t 3a1a ~ OIEl Keys 01 Golden Temple. Akal Takhat. Baba Atal. Tarn Taran Sahib taken away from S. Sunder Singh Ramgarhia by the D.C. by show 01 force under orders of Govt. Emergency meeting 01 General S.G.P.c. is called at Akal Takhat. Reach Immediately without fail. Situation serious. Proceedings on completion of quorum. =<9 »reHl"li ~ <Jla i OIE1,>!1, 1l',,1»fi filol,>!1 ll'E1~ OlEl,>!i I

"0 3.1" H~O' .:i 90 II lfi! ailel <lEl. i!8" 1.1 Ri1<! iJ1t.1O He I

~;Oj f~o til >lil tI ' 3

ti fGa RT,

E=< i/'>lo <Jli:JO flo I

9 Res. No. 3 of special meeting held at Akal Takaht at 10·30 A.M. on 10th Nov. 1921. Page 65 of the Proceedings book

~'fl!! B H'>ltl i 7; i fcH ftf3 1 i1~ f01 \?<Jo i i; 8. 01. ailel B q[01f3

'>1R~'a

;OJ

<1G3' 301 ,>!lll<!l,>!i

H'>lijl~i 01<J '~l'>ii 3; 30J:lf<Jli! Certified True Copy Sd j . Sahib Singh 3. 3. 22.

SOME COl'< FlDEN TIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEME NT

10 18}19-1-1922 Telegram from Mahatma Gandhi to Sardar Kharak Singh after the latter's release on January 17, 1922 from jail in connection with the morcha launched by the Sikhs against the seizure, by the Government of the Panjab, of the keys of the Golden Temple, Amritsar. The Government had ultimately to give in and return the keys to Sardar Kharak Singh, then President o( the Shromanl Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Amritsar. SARDAR KHARAK SINGH PRESIDENT SHROMANI GURDWARA PARBHANDHAK COMMITIEE AMRITSAR FIRST DECISIVE BATILE FOR INDIA'S FREEDOM WON CONGRATULATIONS. M.K. GANDHI

11 (19-3-1922) Orde~

o( H. H. the Ticca Sahib (Kapurthala)

All the Akalis shall remain in their respective villages and any of them leaving his Village without permission shall be liable to arrest and the Jathedars will be responsible for their respective Jathas. This will remain in force (or (i(teen days or till furthut orders as Sadr may desire. No meeting to be held except with the permiSSion of the Director of Police. The respective Executive Officers to be consulted in every case. All meetings held without permission will be considered as unlawful assembly and dispersed. A Chief Executive Officer shall be appointed for Phagwara Tehsil, Who shall be responsible and in charge of the whole Tehsil and its departments for above period as a temporary manner . The follOWing ferries will be watched and guarded by the Police : Gugrewal, Warowal, Gondwal, MI.ni, Munda, Dhllw.n,

SOME CONFIDENTI AL PAPERS OF THE A.KALI MOVEMENT

Harrike, Nangal . Tahli, Ramedi, lakhan ke-Pudde, Butala, Bhundhal. Any Akali disobey ing the orders promulgated here will render himself liable not only to arrest, but their villages will have to pay the expenses of the punitive force. Any agitators of other communities going to any Village will be arrested. Fifty extra Police to be enlisted in order to keep tbe peace. The expenses of the Poi ice will be realised from the Villages which give any t rou ble. The pay of th is additional Police Force will be Rs. 12/- P.M. plus Rs. 3/- special allowance. All the outsiders known as agitators should be detained by the se nior Tehsil Officers and the information sent to the Director of Pol ice.

Kirpan. The rul~s of wear ing the Kirpans already forwarded to the chief Minister have been approved , to wh ich is added the following rule :Kirpans worn on the belt Is contrary to the Arms Act, and they should always be worn on the side being slung accr055 the shoulder. Marching in Military format ion of more than five men will be considered as an unlawful assembly. All rules passed by the Government as regards Supha Junlt'. battle axes, etc. , are enforced In the State.

Arrest of Violent Akali. Phagwara Tehail Manak Domeli

Namana Pilahi Phagwara Khas .... ..

Dal ip Singh . Pritam Singh Thakar Singh Thakar Singh , Hari Singh Gulzara Singh carpenter Mllkha Singh . Nand Singh. Pump Singh (If he returns ,hould be arrested)

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

Dhilwan Tehan Dhllwan Khas Nangal Lobhana Madowal Mana Tulwandi Botala Ramedi

......

Mahlnder Singh, Hardlt Singh Ganesha Singh Basawa Singh Kishan Singh Carpenter Dalip Singh Jhanka Singh, Labh Singh Banta Singh

Note Udam Singh. Achhar Singh, Musa Singh. Harri : . Singh's brother of Namana. should be kept under strict survei Ilance of their respective Executive Officers.

Sultanpore Tehsil Said pur

Jawala Singh

Kapurthala Tehsil Jallowal Mit Singh Khiranwali Ganesha Singh Kesarpur Labh Singh Bhandel Bet Thaman Singh Amar Singh Jamadar Pensioner of Dhaliwal His Pension should de stopped; to be interned in the village, should be under Police surveillance and should be placed on secu rity. Names of men marked with an asteric should be arrested and Interned in the jail. All committees instituted by the villagers themselves should be abolished and the members put on security. All action be started from tomorrow. Distribution of Force. Seventy five military men with one LeWis gun, four Sawa" and twO cycle Sawars to go to Phagwara.

SOME CON F lDE:\TIAL PAPERS OF THE AI(ALI MOVE),!ENT

Twentyflve men to be kept here as reserved for Phagwara. A .car and a horse be placed at the disposal of the Chief Executive Officer in charge. Police will be placed along with the Military Pickets. Any resistance to the Milltaryorders Is to be met with by force. Verbal warning should be given before firing, and when firing, Military will be instructed to fire straight at the crowd. The Chief Executive Officer phagwara Station Is empowered to Issue any orders he may consider necessary for the maintenance of discipline and Internal security, and all those Infringing his orders will render themse lves liable either to imprisonment or flogging. Thirty military men to go to Dhilwan out of which one picket will be placed at Beas bridge. A 'Motor Car will be placed at the disposal of the Executive Office r Dhilw.n . All other fe rry postS mentioned in this list within the Dhilwan area will be picketed by the Dhilwan Police. Twenty five Military men to go to Sultan pur and a Motor Car to be placed at the disposal of the Executive Officer. Note A Reserve of twenty military men for Sultanpur and twen~y for Dhilwan to be earmarked at Head-quarters. Two groups of thirty men each to march in the. Dhilwan lIaqa according to Bakhshi 's orders. A notice under the signature of the Director of Police to be issued that there will be no meeting at Manak, a copy of the notice be sent to Sardar Matab Singh. Emergency Power of Expenditure of Tumtoms and Ekkas

Chief Executive Officer of Phagwara. up to Rs. 100/Executive Officer, Sultanpur. up to Rs. SO/Executive Officer, Dh llwan. up to Rs. 50/Rai Sahib Sardar Durga Dass Is appointed Chief Executive

SOME CONFlDE:,\TIAL PAPERS OF THE ÂˇA!(,\L1 MOVE:liENT

Officer

(llr.:!lfa

l>fIin!T)

Phagwara Tehsil as a temporary measure. The

Tehsildar, Munsif, Officer Commanding, the President Municipality , and the Sub-Inspector will be directly under the orders of the Chief Executive Officer. . L. Mubarak Rai and M. Abdual Majid Khan are appointed Executive Officers at Dhilwan and Sultanpur respectively. M. Kishan Singh is appointed as Executive Officer at Kapurthala. The Executive Officers have the authority. when dealing with matters mentioned in this order. to Issue any orders they think necessary to the Tehsildars . Sub-Inspectors, or officer commanding military forces. Rozenamchas to be submitted from the Station House Officer to the Executive Officers. All these orders to be enforced from tomorrow, By order ~d ;- Chief Minister .

12. Revised orders of H. H . the Tlcc. Sahib Regarding Akalis and other political agitators.

A. (i) All Akal i, shall be confined to the ir respective Village s and shall be under police surveillance. Anyone contraven ing this order shall be liable to arrest. (ii) The following violent Ablis should be arrested.

Phagwara Tehsil Manak: Dallp Singh and Pritam Singh Deomeli : Thakar Singh Namana: Thakar Singh Dhilwan Khas : Mohinder Singh , Hardit Singh and Ganesha Nangal Labana : Basawa Singh

SOME CONF IDENTI AL PAPERS OF THE AKA LI 1-IOVEMENT

(iii) Akalis and other agitators belonging to British India and round with in the State territory shall be detained pending rinal orders of Sadr. (iv) No meetings except strictly and purely relig ious should be held without the permission of the Di rector of Police. Meetings held without permission will be treated as unlawful gatherings and dispersed as such. (v) Rules regarding the wearing of Klrpans and possession of Safa.Jangs. battle axes. etc .â&#x20AC;˘ Issued by the Punjab Government are hereby enforced in the State. (vi) Marching of more than 5 Akalis in Military format ion Is prohibited. (V II ) Unlawful assemb lies wi ll be dispersed by force. if necessary.

Disposition of Military Forces

B. (i) Phagwara :Âˇ 7S Infantry with a LeWis gun . four cavalary sawars and two cyde sawars. Dhilwan : 3S Infantry Sultan pur : 25 Infantry. (il) Sufficient reserves shall be earmarked for the above detachment. (IIi) Two Military columns will be daily marching through the IIaqa. each ascompanled by an Assistant Superintendent of Police. A separate column of Pollee will march through Phagwara IIaqa. (iv) The Bias bridge will be guarded by a Mili tary picket and approaches to Phagwara by Police picket as also the ferries along the r iver Beas.

c. (i) Owing to Its isolated situation. the Phagwara Tahsil wili be in charge of an officer to be called " Ch ief ExecUtive Officer." All the present local officers will be directly under his orders. For th is temporary appointment. Rai

SOME CONFIDENTIAL P APERS OF TBEAKALl MOVEMENT

Sahib Sardar Durga Dass has been nom inated. (i i) The Kapurthala. Sultan pur and Dhilwan Tehsil will each have an Executive Officer to be In charge of the above mentoined emergent operations.

Kapurthala Dhilwan Sultan pur

M. Kishan Singh Lala Mubarak Rai M. Abdul Majid Khan

Special powers ha'le been con rerred on these officers.

D (I) The troops shall work under the orders of the Executive officers and render aid to the Civil powers when

necessary. (ii) Fir ing shall not be resorted to except in case of unavoid.ble necessity and shall not be continued longe r than is adsolutely necessary. When necessary . the order to fire must be given by the Executive Officer in chorge. (iii) 50 extra Police to be enlisted. The expenses of this additional force to be realised from such villages as prove to be particularly troublesome. The above shall take effECt frem Monday the 20th March and will remain in force for a fortnight or until furthurorders.

CONFIDENTIAL No. 117jC Dated the 21 st March 1922. Copy of the above forwarded to the Rai Sah ib Sarbar Durga Dass Sahib. Ch ief Executive Officer. Phagwara for information and gUidance. Sd j Supdt. for Chief Minister Kapurthala State.

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PA P ERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

13 GOVERNOR'S CAMP, Panjab, 2-8-1923.

My dear Ogilvie, Reports have reached us from Amritsar that the Namdhari Sikhs have received In(ormation from Nabha that you intend to resume. certain land or (orest rights granted to them by the exMaharaja and that the Namdhari leaders are considerably perturbed at th is. Such action on your part might have the effect of throwing the Namdharl Sikhs into the arms of the Akalis over the Nabha agitation. At present the two Sections are on extremely bad terms on account of the recent fracas at Tarn Taran. In the circumstances I am desired to suggest that you should, if there be no objection, postpone action regarding the Namdharls' land in Nabha state until the Abli agitation over Nabha has somewhat subsided. The matter is not, I

imagine, very urgent. Yours Sincerely H.D. Craik To C.M .G. OgilVie Esq., Administrator o( Nabha State, Nabha.

14 5 Eastern Canal Road, Dehra Dun, Dated the 14. 12.1963. My Esteemed friend, It is w ith poln that I recall the inCidents that led up to the severance of my connection from the administration of my State. But,

now, with the return of better health, when I ponder over the whole course o( evevts, I am compelled to believe that your

H D C r3 'k. C hi ef Sety., PUnjab,

C. G. M. Ogilv,e,

Ad mi ni st rat o r, Nnbh3 , doted August 1 , 1913. (No . 13. P 18 )

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, t.

•

SO,IE CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKAl.lldOVEMENT

Excellency had not the advantage of knowing many of the facts and the proper sequence of events. I also feel that as the aggrieved ru ler of an important State having historic relations with the British Government, lowe It to the supreme head of the Government of India and the representative of the British Crown to place before him the true facts of the matter as far as lies in my power In my present posicion of disadvantage and want of necessary documents

and other facilities . Rather than deiay I take this opportunity of stating the facts as they are briefly but frankly to your Excellency . I can not but deplore the facts that the enquiry into the PatialaNabha dispute by Mr. justice Stuart began In circumstances extremely disadvantageous to me when the ill- judged and unjustified action of Sir Ali Imam had already prejudiced the Nabha case by his entertainment more or less against my wish and as a sacrifice for the sake of peace, of the so callad terms of compromise from Pat ial3.

There was perhaps much behind this action of Sir Ali Imama and it was already a false step. Again during the enquiry I had not full opportunity of bringing home my whole case against Patiala though the record is not wanting in f.cts which clearly reveal Patiala methods of work. At the same time during my stay at Deihl in the early part of this year some drug was given to me to undermine my Will-power and mental vigour. To add to this. the natural worries of the enquiry and the enticing away of some of my important officials and w itnesses

prostrated me. Taking advantage of my exhausted health, my selfseeking offiCials, who I have come to know were under the influence

of my rivals, aud the officials of the Political Department overwhelmed me with repeated suggestions to leave my state in their hands and placate the Government by allowing greater powers of intervent ion In the affairs of my State. It was in these circumstances

that "Dewan Scheme" of the 21st April 1923 and the "Council Scheme" of the 4th May 1923 were forwarded to government. Fortunately for me, these schemes were not approved and your Excellency very kindly gave expression to your concern for my

SO!dE CONFIDENTIAL rAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

healthOin your reply of 21st May. Failed in this, my Interested and corrupt officials adopted another method. They urged me perSistently to approach the A.GoG. In order to make what they called my "settlement" with government and prese nted to me the dangers of not doing so. RealiSing that these threats originated from Government cl rcles, and on the -insistance of my officials, I was compelled to see the A.G.G. on the 5th June at Kasauli, thus unknowingly confirming his belief in the efficacy of a policy of intimidation. I ventu re to affirm with all the emphasis at my com mand that I did not seek an interview with Col. Minchin of my own free will and accord, nor did I, in the interview, offer to abdicate. On the other hand , I was driven into

the presence of the Agent by clever schemers, and It was he who demanded

abdication

from

threatening

worse and

dire

consequence in case of my non-compliance. I flatly refused to do so and said that I would prefer to make a reference to the Viceroy. Col. Minchin refu sed to accept any such suggestions anp Insisted on a reply within two days. On returning from the interview I mentioned the whole affair to General Sir Richard Wapshare with whom I was putting up at Kasau Ii. On the 7th June my two ministers, Messrs Rao and Sen, saw the A.G.G. and reported to me that the Agent insisted that the State should be surrendered to the British Government who would place It under a civil ian officer. He also threatened that after the 9th June even abdication would no longer be permitted. Deposition, a trial on serious charges and something like imprisonment

'were

likely to follow if I did not make my "Settlement" with the Government. He went on to tell them "it Is necessary at the same time to settle differences with Patlala by accepting Sir Ali Imama's terms and also paying an indemnity to Patiala." Evidently compromise with Patlala was considered a matter of secondary importance but my surrender to government was a sine qua non. I mly draw yo ur Excellency's attention to the significant f.ct Â°that there is no reference at all , direct, or indirect to any othor

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPE RS OF THE AK ALI

~!oVE1.mNT

charge or grievance of Government against me in the Government of India res.olutlon and communique of the 7th July 1923. Col. Minchin. however. all along Insinuated and acted as if there was some serious and grave complaint of Government which needed settlement before tackling the Nabha.Patiala issue. It Is unthinkable that If the Government

would

had

not have

any

grievance

even once clearly

comp laint against

communicated these

they

to me

officially or otherwise. To continue. the A.G.G. had ordered Messrs Rao and Sen to proceed to Nabha Immediately and acquaint me with the extreme urgency of the matter. He himse lf wired to me on the 8th June, and again on the 9th June. demanding an Immediate and prompt meeting. I was thus compelled to go once more to Kasaull on the 9th June and there. besides threats, the A.G.G. confronted me with what he described as the orders of His Excellency the Viceroy conveyed to him in a cypher telegram by Mr. Thompson , the Political Secretary to the Government of India. Thus by using the name of the Viceroy he compelled me to sign the documents produced by him. Not content with this forced surrender of my state. the next day he dictated furthur terms divest ing me of all personal property and reqUired me to sign these terms In his presence. Under the circumstances, I had to yield and did as he demanded . Later the Agent on the 27th June summoned Mr. Rao to Kasaull by wire , had a conference with him, and handed to him a signed letter containing the conditions imposed by the Government of India. The Agent demanded from me a written letter of acceptance of the terms immediately. otherWise. he said. the Government of india would pass orders depOSing me and would authorise the Agent to remove me to Dehr. Dun under a military Guard . He would then take forcib le charge of the State. "The idea was" he said . "to make an example of His Highness." The above mentioned lette r and the report of the interview were handed to me on the 30th June and then the A.G.G. sent

2'2

SO~1E

CONFlDr,::-lTlAL PAPERS OF TIlE ARAL! MOVEMENT

three telegrames one after another demanding acceptance before the 1st of july. This pressure from Government was suplemented by the suggestion of wild threats conveyed to me in two representations by my ONn officials dated the 1st July and 2nd july. At this juncture Mr. O' Grady, one of my paid employees, whom I later d iscovered to be in correspondence with the officials of the Political Department of the Government of India, came down from Simla for the purpose of securing the letter of acceptance. He told me that refusal to sign the terms would be taken as an act of rebellion, for which I might be shot. Hedged in and surrounded on all sides by Insidious schemers as I now see, I felt helpless and allowed a wire to be sent to the A.G .G" on the 5th July that the reqUired letter would be despatched the next day. The letter which followed speaks for itself. The folloWing words' "I recognise that nothing is left to me but make the submission demanded of me", show clearly that my acceptance of the terms imposed by His Excellency the Viceroy wa;- anything but voluntary. As soon as it was signed on the 6th july, Mr. O ' Grady hurried away with the letter. I sent twO high officials (subsequent-Iy proved to be treacherous) in my fastest car to overtake Mr. 0' Gradyand bring back the letter. They overtook him at Ambala. but Mr. O' Grady would not give back my letter. and, strange to say, the two officials

meekly took the refusal and returned to Nabha late at night. Deserted and defied by my officials and feeling that I had for the time being put myself under the thumb of the implacable A.G.G .â&#x20AC;˘ who had in a way secured his objective, I was stili pondering as to the measures I could take to undo the mischief, when early on the morning of the 8th July without appriSing me beforehand, Col. Minchin appeared with troops before my palace and forced entry through the gates defying the guard. Soldiers surrounded the palace and Col. Minchin penetrated unannounced into my rooms. In my capital and In my own palace I was insulted, treated like a rebel and a prisoner and was practically deported out of the State within a few hours. Immediately after sending me away on the morning of the 9th

SOME CO!<FILENTIAL PAPfHS 0 1' THI: AI(AL I MOVHIEI\T

July, an unprecedented insult was offered to H. H. tin!" senior Maharani and lad les of the Zenana living In the Pacca Bagh PalaceThe A.G.G. forced entry in to the Palaces and after searching them himsel f locked the gates and placed a military guard there. Suffice It to say, the ladles of my family were starved for a whole day. I do not w ish to ponder over the details of this painful episode. Even though beaten down by corruption , conspiracy and Intimidation, I have yet enough of pride and self-respect left In me to make my whole nature revo lt against this unbearable insult. That my severance was not vo luntary is evident from the facts stated above. If any further proof were necessary It was supplied by Col. Minch in's surprise visit to my house at Dehra Dun on the 31 st July 1923. He unceremonously placed before me a typed document and required me to sign It. It stated that

severance

was entirely volunta ry and effected after full consideration and that I did not desire my restoration. The action was per haps prompted by a realization of the nature of his own proceedings which no body knew better than he. The Col. pressed me to sign. I refused. He threatened me once more and as before used the name of the Government of India in coercing me to sign what he was aware was

a false document. But this time I summoned courage and finally refused to subscribe to 3 statement which was farthest from truth . From the above submission, Your Excellency will be pleased to see that my severance from the administratIon of my State was

brought about by the A.G.G's intimidation and by the corruption, treachery and Intrigue of my officials who were in league with my rivals and who were, if noth ing worse, at least corresponding behind my back with officials of the political Department. I have in th is brief letter endavoured to convey to your Excellency the deep sense of wrong under which I am suffering and, knowing that I am making this representation to the Ex-Ch ief Justice of England , I feel sure that It will not be in vain, Your Excellency will, I venture to hope, find

SOME

C O~Fl JJE N TlA L

PA PERS OF THE AKAL! MOVEMENT

an early opportunity of redressing my grievances. situated as I am,

impelled by an irresistible sense of justice to my self and, If I may say so with respect, of justice to your Excellency, to make a full disclosure, even with the incomplete materials available, of the true facts at as early a date as I could to the King's representati ve In India. Before I conclude , may I al,o be FÂŁrrr.itted to protest strongly against the open campaign countemnced by State and Government officials which is being carriEd on in Nabha to fabricate false complaints aginst me and keep to up a disreputable propaganda to defame me In my absence 1 his representat icn v-ould have been submitted much e3rlier

to Your Excellency had I net been given to understano by Col. Minch in and others that your Excellency of Your own accord would reconsider my case if I d isa" ocialed myself from the agitat ion about my forced abdication, which I did in writing as desired by C~1. Min:h ln. I also sent a telegram to the S.G.P.c. 2nd the AssociatEd Press to that effECt. Having done this, however imperfectly, I feel relieved and satisfied to leave the matter to Your Excellency's consideration . 1

remain.

w ith profound respects, your sincere friend, (sd) Ripudaman Singh

To His Highness Farzand-i- Arjumand, Akidat-paiwand. Dault-i-Ingl ishia, Sarar Bans, Sarmaur, Raja-i .. Rajgan, Maharaja Ripduman Sing~ , Malve ndara Bahadur, Maharaja of Nabha.

SOME

CONFIDENTL~L

PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEMENT

My Esteemed friend, I regret that owing to the pressure of work it has not been possible for me up to the present to reply to your Highness's letter dated the 14th of December. I have now fully considered its contents and hc:.ve given my earnest attention to those aspects of the case to which your Highness attached particular importance. 2 I do not desire to discuss In detail all the allegations which you have made. My examination of the case and my personal knowledge of ~II the important events connected with it leave no

doubt in my mind that the grievances which you have brought to my notice and the charges of intimidation and coercion which you have

levelled at the officers of my Government are without foundation. was taken throughout the case and the The action which proposals which we ..... made were taken and made after carefui considera.tion at the time and no pains were spared to ascertain the

facts at every step. in order to satisfy myself, I have re-examined the matter in the light of your Highness' allegations but I can find no ground for revision of the decision arrived at after much anxious

thought and full consideration of every point. 3. The substantial allegation in your Highness' letter is that your abdication was not voluntary but was the result of coercion,

intimidation and intrigue.

It is to this aspect of case that I have

given specical consideration.

4. It is clear from the communications which took place while the Hon'ble Mr. Justice Stuart's enquiry was still in progress that your Highness had been thinking for sometime of shaking off the cares of state. In the middle of April you sent your Dewan to Simla with a message to the effect that in view of the state of your health you proposed to invest the Dewanlwith full powers of the administration and to retain for yourself an allowance from the state of three lakhs of rupees per annum, On the 4th May your Highness wrote me a letter in which you said that you wished to take a long rest in view of the state of your health and that you therefore "intended to make arrangements for the

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

proper carrying on of the administration untill you felt physicaly quite fit once again, and If not until the TiHa Sahib attained majority and assumed charge of the government of Nabha as Regent." You proposed to "appOint Her Highness the Senior Maharani as Regent and to constitute an Executive Council." In reply I Informed you that I would let you have my views on your proposals when I had considered them in all its bearings. This proposal of yours was made before Mr. Justice Stuart had written his report and It shows clearly that even at that stage your Highness desired to separate yourself from the administration of the State. 5. I cannot of course discuss the accusations of disloyalty and Intimidation Which you have made against your confidential advisors. This matter Is one that must rest between you and them but I repudiate your Highness' suggestion that anything whatever was done against you under the Influence of the officers of the Political Department or that any threats originated from government circles. I have learnt from the Agent to the Governor-General, PanJab States, that on the 26th May your Highness sent him a letter by the hand of Sirdar Tippar Chand asking him to visit you at Nabha or should that not be possible, to let him know when and where you could see him. The Interview was entirely of your own seeking, and I am assured that the request made by you came as a surprise to the Agent to the Governor-General In view of your Highness' previous attitude towards him. The Agent to the Governor-General in reply expressed regret that his engagements prevented him from visiting Nabha at that time but said he would be happy to see Your Highness at Kasauli If you Wished to visit him there. Your Highness paid him a visit on the 5th June and discussed with him matters connected with the patiala and Nabha Durbars. You asked him to Intervene on your behalf with the Government of India in regards to the results of the enqUiry which you were certain had gone against you. The Agent to the Governor-General informed you that as you yourself were suggesting a settlement out of court It was adVisable for you to offer terms which government might de disposed to

SOME COl\FlDENTJA L PAPERS OF THE ANAL! :MOVEME NT

accept unless you desired that I should pass orders on the report of the Special Commission. The Agent to the Governor-General added that you had come to him voluntarily and that It was entirely for you tc! decide whether you should make any offer to the Government of Ind .. or not. You then left promising to let him know your decision by the early morning of the 7th June. On that day your Dew.n C3me to Colonel Minchin and stated that you were prepared to make over the adm inistration of the State to Government and would undertake to abdicate formally as soon as your son reaches his majority, on the understanding that you would be allowed to retain your salute and titles and permitted to draw an allowance of three lakhs of rupees yearly from the State. You also agreed that compensation up to fl.s. 50,00,000/- might be awarded by the Government of India to Patiala. These terms were communicated by the Agent to the Governor-General Panjab States to the Political Secretary the same day. . On the 8th of June the Agent to Governor-General telegraphed to you asking you to come to Kasaull for a final discu"lon. Your Highness With your confidential officials arrived at Kasaull on the 9th of June and the Agent to the Governor-General explained to you the terms on which the Government of India were prepared to allow you to sever your connection with the administration of the State. After some consultation With yeiur officials you wrote to Colonel Minchin accepting the terms. A few days before you Signed the final letter accepting the terms on the 5th July you asked for an assurance, and it was given to you, that so long as you observed the cond itions laid down by the Government of India no fu rther penalties would be exacted from you. 6. After the 5th July nothing was heard from you by me or by the Government of India until your letter dated the 14th December was received. after I had made it clear in my speech at Simla on the 17th October that the decisio n of the Government of India was unalterable. 7. In conclUSion I desire to Inform your Highness that the

SOME CONF IDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

Government of India approached this case not only without bias but with friendly feeling which was due to State which had on many occasions rendered loyal assistance to the British Government. The personal intercourse I had had with you left nothing but friendliest feeling on my part to you. The resul, of the enquiry however left the Government of India In your own Interests no alternative but

to accept the terms which you yoursel f had offered of your own accord. The retention of your t itle and salute and the allowance of Rs.3.00.000/- were ail suggested by yourself. These concessions were accepted by the Government of India. though it was felt that In the circumstances they might be regarded as erring on the side of liberality. The cond itions which are subsequently added on the initiative or the GcY~rrrr.E:r. t of Ind ia were conditions of minor

Importance and two of ,hem were already Implied. 8. In my speech on 'he 17th of October to wh ich I have alluded above I called attention to remarks that were being circulated of your Highness' restoration in a short period or In a few years. I said that there should be no allusion In this respect and that your Highness had ceased for all times to rule In Nabha. To that pronouncement I and my government adhere and your Highness must definitely understand that the deCision is Irrevocable. I remain , with much consideration

Your Highness' sincere friend. Sd /-Reading. Viceroy and Governor-General of India. Delhi. The 3rd March. 1924.

16 Arreat. of 62 m"mbera of the S.G.P .C. Today at one P. M. the session of the general meeting of the S.G.P.C. started on the 2nd story of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. An

SOME CO~ FlDE N TlAL PAPER S OF

Tim

AR ALI MOVEMENT

hour had scarcely elapsed when news reached the Committee that the polic" were preparing at their Headquarters (Kotwall) In the city to march to Sri Akal Takhat Sahib to arrest indiscriminately all who would be found present in the Committee. As the terms of reference of the General Committee were of an Important nature. it was decided not to talk about the coming of the police and to vigorously proceed In executing the b"s iness before them. The Comml'tee had not yet finIshed one quarter of their work when the police were reported to have reached the Akal Takhat. As is Customery from the times of the Gurus. no one with uniform on can enter the Akal Takhat and no one who has not been regUlarly baptised is allowed pu, his step on the platform of the throne or to ascend the stairs. The pollee and 'he military who were headed by the Supdt. of police and 2 other Bri'ish Officers were advised by some gentlemen present that they should not attempt to enter the Akal Takhat. The Supdt. of police . however. paid no heed to this adVice and ordered his force (police and milItary) to break through the entrance through force. On th is order being given by the Su pdt .â&#x20AC;˘ the Akalis who. in the meanwhile. had gathered there in suffiCient numbors. formed in,o a solid wall and occupied the en'rance of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. The Supdt. and his party tried their level best to break through the Akalis dut were pushed backwards by 'he Akalis. On the police trying aga in and again to ascend the Akal Takhat Sahib. they were told that so long there was one sikh child alive in Amritsar at the moment. no unbaptized person could be permi'ted to violate this custom. It Will be intresting to know 'hat when the Akalis were busy with the police at the entrance of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. the Committee remained busily engaged in transacting the Agenda before them. The police were thus in an unsettled S'ate of mind and dId not know wha, to do. S. Jodh Singh Ji. M.A. . appeared on the scence and explained to 'he Supd,. of police that it was impossible for them to enter Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and that as 'he members of the S.G.P.C. would not at all shrin k from arrests. It was best that the authorities

:10

SOM E COXFIDENTIAL P APER S OF THE AKA LI Y OVEMENT

to submit a list of the n.mes of the member. they wished to arrest which he would present to the Committee assembling for surrender_ ing the persons, if present, to the police. The .uthorltles seeing no other alternative possible, yielded to hand over the list to S. JOOh Singh . Just when this talk was going on between professor Jodh Singh and the authori t ies, the latter were told by the Secretary of the Local Gurdwara Committee to clear out of the premises of Sri Durbar Sahib as they were In uniform. The Supdt. and his party agreed and took their stand in front of Gurdwar. Tharra Sahib with the ir backs towards the Gurdwara. It has been mentioned above that the authorities gave up the list of persons they wished to arrest. Th is list was read out before the Committee and those wanted by the police came down from the upper story to be arrested. The authorities in the meanwhile had left Tharra S.hib and watched the Clock tower to wait the coming of the members t hey wanted to take hold. It was about 6 0' clock when the members afcer finishing their work calmly came down fro m Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and stond lng before it imp lored che help of the Great Sat Guru for whose cause they were going to Jail. A few of them delivered stirring speeches advising the Sikhs to remain nonÂˇviolent and united for ever. After the A rdasa (Final prayer) , the members went to Sri Darbar Sahib to pay homage when they were led to the clock tower headed by the Akall band and thus were made over to the police. The police who had come for the ar rests were about two hundred serong and were followed by a Gorkha guard. Some were armed with rifles and some with lathis. The re was .Iso a section of the machine guns to be seen. The appearance of all there forces before Sri Akal Takhat Is, from the Sikh point of view, the highest insult ever done to this sacred place. The cup of suffering Is now full and the Sikhs are being highly provoked by the Govt. to t ake to viol ence. The S.G.P.C. expects every Sikh to do his duty and to remain nonÂˇviolent In all circumst.nces. It is notified for general Information th at new members In place of those arreseed had been duly elected and that the business of the S.G. P.C.

SOME CONFTDENTIAL PAPERS OF TlH: AK ALl MOV EMENT

will go on In perfect order. These or such future arrests will on no account dislocate the work of the S.G.P.C. while the police were at the scene and until the members were made over to the police. there was not an Inch in the Durb.r Sahib. ClockÂˇtower platform Of' Ahluwalia Katra unoccupied. There were about 50 thousand souls. present throughout this time and it was almost Impossible to move without using considerable pushes on all sides. Never in the history of Sikh arrests was such enthusiasm displayed as this afternoon. The following Is the list of the members arrested. All arrests were without warrants. Those arrested are In the Amr itsar jail : I. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. S. 9. 10. I I. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. IS. 19. 20. 21.

S. Sohan Singh . Khadur. Master Sul.n Singh. Surhali . S. Jawal. Singh. Burl. S. Sunder Singh . N.reka. S. Chan nan Singh. Nikodar. S. Jal Singh. Dhudiaf. S. Assa Singh. Chandoli. S. Amrik Singh. Chunlwala. S. Waryam Singh. Garmula. S. Autar Singh. Gujranwala. S. Naranjan Singh Tansaln. GUJranwaia. S. Gian Singh. S. Hukam Singh. Montgomery. S. Jalwant Singh. Jathedar. S. Lakha Singh. Kaulke. S. Sohan Singh. Shekhupura. S. Sudager Singh. Moolanwala. S. Inder Singh. Maror. S. Sher Singh. Kote Pindiwaf. S. Santa Singh. S. Kartar Singh. Naharpur.

SOME CONFIDEXTIAL PAPERS OF TIlE AKALI MOVEMENT

22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33 . 34. 35. 36. 37. 38 . 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 5 J. 52. 53 . 54. 5S.

S. Ranbrr Singh. Kaonki. S. Jogindra Singh. Raipur. S. Sunder Singh. Ghuman. S. Harnam Singh. Kadlrwala. S. Gurdial Singh. Shondi. S. Shagat' Slngh. Pasrur. S. Gian Singh. Thikr •. S. Nirmal Singh. Sialkot. S. Partap Singh. Kotefatoohr. S. Giani Satan Singh. S. Teja Singh. Alawalpur. S. Gurbakh Singh . Masand, kote. S. Kishan Singh. S. Ratan Singh. Panjal> Darpan. S. Lehna Singh. Nully. S. Jamadar Sahib Singh . Chak No. 127 Sargodha. S. Man Singh. Secy: Akali Dal. S. Shagat Dunna Singh. Abbotabad . S. Gran Singh. S. Diwan Singh. Kate Najibullah. S. Fauja Singh. Chunlan . S. Indar Singh. Sarka. S. Jawala Singh. Ra is. S. Balwant Singh. Gujarkhan . S. Jawand Singh . Rawalpindi. S. Rala Singh . B.A .• Peshawar. S. Jagat Singh. S. Jai Singh. Mardan. S. Mehtab Singh. Kohat. S. Harnam Singh. P. Sub. S. Amar Si ngh. S. Mool Singh. S. Sawa Sarup Singh. S. Dharam Singh . Namdhari.

SOME CO:>JFID£NTlAL PAPERS OF TH£ AKALl MOV£ldENT

56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62.

S. Sunder Singh. Baula. Dr. Bhagwan Singh. Amritsar. S. Mohan Singh Vaid. Taran Taran. S. Hira Singh. Nah.rl i. S. Sucha Singh, Khara Sauda. S. Jamadar Sadhu Singh. S. Karam Singh. chima•

17 ( 593 ) The following re",lutiom were passed by the General Committee of the S.G P.C. held on 7·1 -24 . . 1. Where as the S.G.P.e. is the supreme religious assembly composed of representatives elected by the whole Sikh Cornmunhy in consonance With the injunctions of the Sikh Panth. whereas the said Committee being united with all executive powers to protect and advance the cause of the Sikh faith has been peacefully carrying on religious reforms. where as the Shiromanl Aka" Dal has been rendering voluntary service to the .aid Cgmmittee to save the honour of their religion . thl' Assembly most emphatiCally condemns thl. arbitrary and highhanded measure "The Declaration of the said tWO bodies as an unlawful associations" and deprecate this autocratic action of the GOVt. as a reckless Interference with the Inviolable religious right of Indian Citizens in utter violation of the proclamation of 1858 and repudiates this. direct challenge to the whole nation to the exercise of the universal Civic rights of the formation of association. 2. This Committee appriciates with great .atsifaction the noble sacrifices rendered by the members of the S.G.P.C. and Shromani Akali Dal. who have suffered arrests. imprisonment and deaths. and congratulate them for their sterling services to the Panth. 3. Whereas the Bureaucracy has by the stopping of A khand Path inflicted the great€S( insult. and Irreparable injury on the Sikh Panth and perpetrated a ruthless rell,l(ious crime. whereas

SOME

CO~ F lDE "TIAL

P APE RS OF TIlE AK ALI MOVEMENT

the Sikh Fauth has resolved to restart and complete 101 Akhand Panths to atone for the sacrilege done to their Guru, whereas the Jathas dally reaching at Jaito to fu lfil the holy mission are being most brutally treated by the callous and wantonly Insolent officials, this ÂˇComm ltte. falling to tolerate any longer the continued deprication of th eir

religious

rights

empowers the

Executive

committee to take all possibl e steps to effectually deal with the situation and save the honour of the Sikh re ligion . 4. This Committee heartily congratulate all the Akal i brethern .who have been undergOing endless troubles and tortures In their attempts to restart the A khand Path and to protect the sanctity of the Gangsar gurdwara at Jalto, whereas the bureaucracy are most bar barously victlmlsi ng the Akal ls with brutal assault, merciless beetings, fatal starvation and exposu re to freezing cold at nights to subject them to the attacks of pneumonia and other mortal deseases to cut short their lives and thus make terrifying examples of them. 5. This Committee fully endorses the actions of previous Executive Comm ittee and sole mn ly enjoins the present incumbent body to carry out most enthusiast ically th e pol ley as chalked out by them. 6. This Committee approves of and confirms the proceedings and actions of the present Execut ive Committee. 7. Whe reas the Supdt. Police, Amritsar, with his posse of police by forcing his way withi n the holy precincts of Sri DOl bar Sahib has violated the sanctity o f Akal Takhat Sah ib and Harmander Sah ib, the S.G .P.C . very strongly condemns this uncalled for sacrilege and wanto n d isregard of Sikh Susceptibilities and places on record its firm determination that Khalsa shall evenge by all no n-violent methcds the insult thus offe red to the ir holy Manders. Sd. Tara Singh, G en ral Secreta ry, S.G.P.C. Dated : 8-1 -24.

SOME CO~FIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AI\ALI MOVEMENT

18 9-2- 1924.

DECLARATION of orders by the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Am, itsar to th" batch of 500 Sikhs proceedi,,!! to Gurdwara Ga,,!!sar. J ailo. for offering. tlllder the pledge of non-'l'1oience, th eir lives as voluntary secri fice in the cause cf vindicating the birth-right of the Sikh nati"n of free alld Ullrestricted worship of Sr i Guru Granth Sahib ill the sacred shrines of th' nation. made on Saturday, Fe brum'y 9. 1924. about midÂˇday in a congregaÂĽ on of over thi' ty th ousand persons. Beloved Kh.lsa ji ! "We the Sikhs have offered our heads as a willing sacrilice to the Guru who Is the essence of our national life and the promoter of our national honour. "If you feel moved to enter the arena of love. strike your head off the body to use it as a baiL So absorbed in the play of love. let not the thoughts of after-events distract you. "Dear Khalsa JI. The soul and strength of our religion is Gurbani (the holy texts). Sr i Guru Granth Sah ib may aptly be compared (0 a mighty ship composed of sacred Word in which souls may safely cross the terrible sea of mortality. For the true and faithful Sikhs Sri Guru Granth Sahib is fer all times the personl.lied life and living light of the Satguru. and the ever-shining and ever-rising sun of the most gloriOUS and highest truths. To the Sikhs Guru Granth Sahib alone Is the levin and essence of their spirituality. their religion . their heroism. their national greatness. and is the one fountain of immortality from which the Sikh Community draws perenni.llile and light. "Saintly Martyrs! At Jaito in Gurdwara Gangsar the sanctity of Akhand Path (continuous recitation of the holy texts without break from end to end) has been violated. The holiness of Sri Guru Granth Sahib has been insulted. Sikhs going to the Gurdwara for paying homage are being arrested and persecuted_ They hove inflicted a deep and the most painful wound in the heart of the

SOME CONFfDSNT [AL PAPE R S OF THS AKALl MOVE~[ENT

Sikh nation. So long there beats within our breast the heart formed of Sikh blood . we can never brook the slightest Insult to Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The .cts of stopping Sikhs from paying respects to the sacred Gurdwara and Making encroachments upon the holiness of Sri Guru Granth Sahib are extremely blasphemous and provoking. Is it not mak ing us barren of the fruits of the glorious sacrifices freely made in the past and the present 1 Can we allow the throwing of dust on the precious blood of our martyrs and forget our noble traditions 1 Under the merciless stabs of the three edged dart. the bleeding heart of the Panth has been groaning piteously. Several thousands of the devoted Sikhs have already gone to offer their lives at the call and In the service of the Satguru. Th ey had pious intentions of honouring Sri Guru Granth Sah ib at the Gurdwara and of resuming tho continuous recitation (A khand Path ) that had been forCibly stopped before its conclusion.

"You 500 immotralized souls! The Panthic wrongs there have not yet been righted. The intensity of pa in In the wounded and bleeding heart of the Sikh nation In growing every day. It is now ripe t ime for the Sikh Nation to make. with full faith In the efficacy of the Principle of non-Violence. all sorts of sacrifices for reestablishing of the right of the freedom of worship and of reverencing the Satguru. I recall to your mind the non-violent martyrdoms of Sri Guru ArJan Dev and Sri Guru Teg Bahadur_ I ask you to remember the noble sacrifices of Shais Mati Das and Manl Singh . Thus arming your minds with the recollection of the grand sacrifices of our Satgurus and the golden deeds of the Sikh martyrs. I order you to go to Jaito and redress the grievous wrongs done to the Panth . " Dear five hundred brothers! You will always be under the protecting hand of Kalgidhur Maharaj and Mata Sahib Devan. Fina lly I bid you on behalf of Sri Akal Takht Sah ib the farewell bleSSings in these words. "Only those fight to end that have been tried. The untried give in and flee from battle fie ld."

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

"Noble Khalsa JI! You start under the pledge of non-violent sacrifice. Resume the recitation of Shri Guru Granth Sahib. The bleeding and burning heart of the Panth can be healed with the Amrita of your sacrifice. Thus alone can the deeply piercing dart of illegitimate Interference in worship be pulled out. in case this is not done, sacrifice your lives crying prayerfully, "Dear Kalgidhar Satguru! our Father! We thy children lay down our lives for Thee. The honour and prestige of the Panth rest in Thy hands." "Brave and saintly souls! You will be beaten mercilessly with sticks. You will be shot dead with bullets. You will be thrown into dark and solitary cells, You will be hanged most ignominously. Your steadfastness will be tried by the most inhuman and unnatural bodily and mental tortures. Keep yourselves perfectly non-violent as has been previously announced.

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pay homage to Gurdwara Gangsar and resume the recitation of Akhand Path Since the moment of your departure from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and always on the way, feed your body, mind, and soul on the life-giving recitation and singing of Garbani or discourses on the holy texts. Do not cherish the slightest il/·wlll against any person in thought, word, or deed." SAT SRI AKA.L. Jathedar Sri Akal Takhat Sahib..

21-2-1924.

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SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALT MOVEMENT

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SOME CON FIDENTIAL PAPER S OF THE AKALI MOVEME NT

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23 FI rst Iette r dt. -4-3-2<4. Copy of the letters of Mahatma Gandhi.

I. In my opinion In order to bring the whole of the Akall movement to a successful issue, It is absolutely necessary that their minimum should be unm istakably stated. Th is alone can evoke un ive rsal approval and sympathy , provided that minimum is just and reasonable in the sense that it appeals to the reasons of a common sense God-fearing man . It w ill not, therefore, do to say that a particular claim is a relig iOUS claim . All rEligious claims must necessarily appeal to reason. In a movement of non-v iolence, the minimum is also the maximum just as the minimus is not capable of reducation even though the difficulties may be insurmountable, similarly under favourab le weather there can be no addition to the minlmun . This follows from the fact the non-violence includes truth, and

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AI,ALi MOVEMENT

truth admits of no exped ients. 2. it is, therefore, necessary for the S.G.P.C. to state the implications of the Gurdwara Movement, i.e., which gurdwaras are claimed by the Akalls to be historical or otherWise falling within the movement and without which an Akali to be true to his faith may not rest. Second, what are the implications with reference to the present Akhatld Path affair in Gangsar Gurdwara 1 Third, what is the movement in connection with the forced abdication or deposition of the Maharaja of Nabha ! 3. In my opinion with reference to the Gurdwaras, the mode of procedure should be in the case of disputed possession, (i) Through private impartial arbitration without reference or intervention of the present courts of law. (i1) Where the opposite party refuses to submit to reason or arbitration, by Satyagrah, i.e., non-violence mode of asserting S.G.P.S.'s right to possession, in order that the method is and rem.ins strictly non-violent throughout. It is not enough that there is absence of .ctive violence, but it is necessary that there is not the slightest show of force. It follows, therefore, that a I.rge body of men cannot be deputed to assert the right of the S.G.P.C.'s possession, but one or at the most two men of undoubted Integrity, spirtual force and humility may be deputed to assert the right. The result of this is likely to be the martyrdom of these pioneers. My conviction is that from that moment the possession of the Committee is assured , but It may so happen that martyrdom is postponed .nd intermedi.te stages, such as pin-pricks, serious assault or imprisonment might have to be suffered. In that case and in every case till actu.1 control is secured, there must be a ceaseless stream of devotees in Single or double file visiting the gurdwara In assertion of the right of the Committee. It Is hardly necessary for me to point out that if the possessor for the time being may consent to submit to arbitration. The Committee should be ever ready to accept the offer, when the asserting of the right by means of Satyagrah ceases. In such a case, it goes without saying that

SOME CONf' IDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE A!{ALI MOVEMENT

if there are any of the devotees who have been imprisoned in prosecution of the object of the Committee, they should be discharged simultaneously with the acceptance of the arbitration.

Nabha I understand the position regarding the Nabha state to be as follows and as explained by the Akali friend. who have been kindly sent by the S.G.P.C. for the purpose : I. The S.G.P.C. contends that the Maharaja has been forced to abdicate, that there is no sufficient warrant for the step and that the committee Is In a poSition to prove that the Maharaja has been forced to abdicate not because of the charges vaguely referred to by the Viceroy or of any other charge such as should justify the extreme punishment, but for his public spiritedness exhibited on several occasions and for his known active sympathy for the Akali cause. The Committee Invites an open and Impartial enqUiry by a competent authority into the whole case, before which the S.G.P.C. should have the right to give evidence and the Committee should be satisfied with the findings of such an enqUiry. It has been suggested that the Nabha Maharaja has voluntarily abdicated In consideration for the Government suppressing certain charge which they hold are of an extremely defamatory character. If the Maharaja's own writing can be produced In proof of the statement, the Committee will naturally have nothing further to say. Such writing should be given by the Maharaja without any veiled pressure from the Government and should be a fresh document. The Committee have no desire at present for any direct action, at the same time it is but fair to say that If all the efforts at impartial enquiry for obtaining strict justice fall and when the public have been put in possession of all the racts known to the Committee and public opinion has been fully matured and cultivated , the Committee may be reluctantly compelled as a matter of honour and chivalry to a re.ort to direct action. No mention, however, of direct

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEME:-IT

action will be made in any manifesto stating the Committee's position, regarding Nabha that may be Issued by the Committee. The above position appears to me to be unexceptionable and I hereby endorse it.

Shahidi jathas 500, Akhand Path. Had it been possible for me to have met the Akali friends before the Jatha, which is now on Its waytoJaito, had started, I would, even after having heard all that the friends had to say, have adhered to my advice that It should not be sent before perfect stock-taking and review of the whole situation but I wish to cast no blame on anyone for the delay In the friends meeting me or If there Is any blame to be attached to any body, I must take it upon my own shoulders, because I omitted to take the precaution of wiring the full text of my message to the S.G.P.c. at the sameti me that I handed it to the representative of the Associated Press. I was under the mistaken belief that press messages haVing precedence of private messages, the A. P. message would be earlier in the hands of the Committee. I foolishly wanted to save public money. Could I be present in the Punjab and see things face to face, I would not hesitate even though the Jatha Is nearing Its destination, to tender my advice for Its recall in order to enable us to review the situation and to take certain steps which I hold are necessary before taking further direct action, but I cannot undertake the responsibility lying on a sick bed of advising the recall. I dare not place such a burden on the friends who have come to discuss the Gurdwara affair with me. In the Circumstances, therefore, I fear that the Jatha must be allowed to proceed to Its destination. I understand that elabor.te precautions have been taken to prevent admiring crowds or others from follOWing or .ccompanylng the Jatha. I understand that stricest instructions have been Issued to the jath. to adopt and continue a perfectly non-violent attitude In spite of the gravest provocation. This Is all to the good.

SOME CO:;FIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEMENT

But I understand further that the jatha has also been instructed. in the event of its receiving orders to leave the state boundry, to disobey, and arm in arm the jatha has been Instructed to present a solid living wall to the state soldierly and to draw upon their d~voted heads with unflinching courage all the fire that can be p~ured upon them . The idea is no longer to submit to pin-pricks and prolongation of the agony by way of forcible deportation. but to end it by every member of the jatha sitting at hi s post and dying there with calm resignation without any retaliation.

This

plan is conceived in a most lofty and . daring spirit. The bravery of those who conceived it and still greater bravery of those who are expected to carry it out in its entirity cannot be questioned

and if the Nabha authorities are so foolish as to fire upon the jatha till everyone lies dead at his post. it will certainly stagger humanity. thrill the world and command universal applause for .matchless heroism, but I am sorry to say it could not be recorded as an act of non-violence.

as civil disobedience disobedience.

This proposed action can be described

but in

reality

would not be civil

For civil disobedience, perfect sub mission to order

which are given as punishment for the breach of prlmaryorders. which a ci vil resister holds against conscience, but such disobedience to be ciVil, requires perfect obedience to sanctions, small and great: and disobedience of small

sanctions

in order

to invite larger

sanctIons, is not civil but is rowdy and , therefore, violent.

The

faith of civil resister must be a living faith in the ultimate success of the spirit of suffering and forbearance.

Infinite patience must.

therefore. be badged. Let us now apply this principle to the proposed action to sit tight in the face of an order of deportation or an imprisonment in order to Invite shooting. is to avoid the intermediate sanctions and

possibi lities of prolongation of slow suffering and also the struggle. Such avoidance is not permissible

1n civil

disobedience

and

calculated to give an excuse to opponent that they are not non-violent .

The natural course would be to obey the order of deportation

SOME CONF IDENTI AL P APE RS OF THE AK ALI MOVEMENT

when it is accompanied by physical force, be it ever so slight. Therefore, even if a youngster duly authorised came to enforce the order of deportation, 500 strong men would In honour b~ bound meekly and joyously to march out w ith a young deporting officer, whom by the heroic forbearance , the 500 are likely to convert into a friend . Once PUt across the border, the right of marching back accrues to the 500, and be treated similarly, or worse. The idea underlying meek suffering is that ultimately it is bound to . melt the strongest heart. It further deprives disobedience of the slightest trace of violence either active or passive. I wish to analyse the proposed action still further. What is the loc king up of arms of the whole jatha, if it is not passive violence. It is clear that such a solid wall cannot be broken by one man where as the creed of non~violence presupposes that a mov~ of violence by the opponent is enough for him to push back a crowd of 20.000 non-violent men. If, therefore, the Committee accept all the Implications of non-Viole nce. I am firmly of opinion Inst ructions already given, as to the action to be taken by the jatha when it comes in conflict With authority. should be revised in terms of what I have sketched above. In that event only one or the other thing can happen, either the 500 will be deported or imprisoned but in both the cases the act will have been performed with complete meekness on our side. I know the difficulties of follOWing the procedure. The authoritie s ma.y endlessly continue the see-saw business In order to

tire us out, but this difficulty van ishes if we as a body claim incapable of being tired out. Non-violence depends, as it does, on an unquenchable faith in God, and in the persistanee only of that wh ich is good; does not know what it is to be defeated or to be tired out. If th e plans suggested by me is adopted , any number of men may march in and at any time of the day. It will be found in praÂŁtice that no authority can possibly afford to play game of see_saw w ith a people so determ ined. So much regarding the 'atha now on march . When the present manoeuvre is finished , I

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOV EMENT

woul'd suggest a reveiw of the whole situation. So far as I know, the aim of the Akhand Path movement is to assert the right of community to have Akhand Path in place of that which was interrupted and to vindicate the right to have the Akhand Path as often as the community considers it necessary. The authorities state that they do not wish to prevent the Akhand Path ceremony but they will not allow under its cover the massing of a large number of Sikhs from outside who may carryon open or secret propaganda regarding the Nabha Maharaja and thus create and keep up the movement in the state. In order to meet this objection, I would advise the Committee to make a declaration In the clearest possible terms that the object of the jatha Is purely to assert the aforementioned right; that It has no desire to carryon under cover of the Akhand Path ceremony any prol\lbited propaganda In the Nabha State whilst the Committee In no way binds itself to refrain ,from pressing forward the claims of the Nabha Maharaja and 'gitating for the N.bh. question . But that agitation will stand on its merits and will have no connection with the A khand Path affair. The Committee will also In that case be satisfied with sending a latha of 25 without any way admitting the right of the state to limit the number. It would be purely a voluntary act with a view to disarm suspicion.

If then the sending of jatha of 500 Is suspended for the t ime being and the declaration sketched above Is made, it opens the way for a third party to negotiate with the authorities with a view to removing the dead-lock.

Gurdwara Reform Movement In connection with the Gurdwara mevement, I am asked to

state the procedure that in my opinion should be adopted prior to the direct action sketched in the foregoing notes. The first thing is to state the case fully and publicly as to the conditions of the Gurdwara mis-management and character of occupant, etc., or

SOME

CO)l Flf)E~TIAL

PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEMENT

notice should also be served on the occupants stating the 'posltion of the Committee and asking him to submit to its jurisdiction and control and Informing him that in the event of his wishing to contest the Committee's possession. the latter would be willing to submit the case to the arbitration; the names of the arbitrator or arbitrators on behalf of the Committee should be given In the notice, and in the event of the occupant ignoring the notice or declining to submit to arbitration, the Committee would be free to take direct action.

With reference to the gurdwaras already possessed by the S.G. P.C., as a matter of truth and justice I am convinced that If the party dispossessed disputes these rights of the S.G.P.C. to the possession, the Committee should be ready to have the matter reopened and settle by arbitration, but I recognise that it would be dangerous and detrimental to the best Interests of the Committee to make any such publiC announcement at the present moment, and

whilst the Government is trying its best to injure the Committee and in every way Interfere with Its activity. With reference to the gurdwaras claimed to be ' historical, the only thing, so far as I can see, the Committee can be reasonably expected to do Is to prove the historical nature and If It satisfies the arbitration regarding it, possession must rest with or vest in the Committee

without any further proof being necessary matter.

regarding any other

Sdi- M. K. Gandhi

24 Asked as to the result of the protracted deliberations with ,he Akali friends, Mahatma Gandhi made the following statment to our representative : I had long and cordial conversations with the Akali friends. In the course of the conversations I tendered to them my opinion on the several matters under discussion. The public will not

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPE.RS OF THE AKALl MOVEMENT

expect me to divulge the matters discussed between us or the opinion given. But I am free to state this that the Akali friends told meÂˇ that my letter was not received by the S.C.P.C. with apathy and they satisfied me that It gave It all the consiaeratlon that was possible under the circumstances. Unfortunately my letter was seen by them In the Press so late that they were unable to do more than they did in the matter. M.K. Gandhi.

25 Letter of Mahatma Gandhi If I am entirely satisfied as to the nature of and Implications of the present Akall movement and the methods adopted to gain the end , I should have no hesitation in throw ing myself heart and soul Into It and even in burying myself In the Punjab if it become necessary In order to gUide tho movement. The satisfaction that I require Is on the following : I. The strength of the Akalis. 2. (a) A clear manifesto publicly stating the minimum which I understand to be the performance of the Akhand Path ceremony in the Gangsar Gurdwara. the Sikhs openly and sincerely declaring that It has no political end that they do not desire. through the Akhand Path movement in any shape of form. to carry on an agitation directly or indirectly. for the restoration of Nabha Maharaja. The agitation which the Akalls Intend to carryon in connection with such restoration will be on an Independent footing and will be purely a separate movement. (b) In connection with the movement for control of gurdwaras In every case of disputed control or possession. the matter should be referred to arbitration. In the caSe of historical iurdwaras. It will be assumed that all such gurdwaras must' remain in the control of the S.G . P. Committee. But tho question of

SOME C0NFIDENTI AL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEME NT

fact whether a particular gurdwara is or Is not historical will be a subject matter of arbitration. and the burden of proving that it is s.o will lie on the shoulders of the S.G.P. Committee. With reference to all other gurdwaras. all the facts in dispute should be a subject matter of arbitration. In the event of the party in possession of such gurdwaras declining to surrender control to the S.G. P. Committee or to refer the matter in dispute to arbitration. the Akalis would be free to take such direct action as Is consistent with nonÂˇviolence in the

strictest sense of the term . 3. Foil assurance and , therefore, a document intended for publication signed by all the principle leaders or on behalf of the S.G.P.c. giving a description of the methods which will clearly set forth all the implications of non-violence . By the term I do not wish to convey that non-violence is to be regarded in the document

referred to above as the final creed of the Sikhs which I know It is not. But I do under-stand that their methods so for as this gurdwara movement is concerned, will be absolutely non-violent,

that is to say. the Akalis will be non-violent in thought. word and deed in connection with all persons, whether government officiels,

English and othe rWise. or whether members of the public belonging to any denomination whatsoever who may be regarded as apponents of the objects of the Akali movement. Absolute adherence to truth I regard as an integral part of any scheme of non-Violence. whether it is temporary or permanent and whether it is restricted

to persons or places. it. therefore. admits of no diplomacy, as we understand the term. and it rejects altogether the prevailing naraml idea that it is legitimate to have surreptitious methods with regard to opponents. It follows that there is to be no secrecy. 4.

That the movement is neither

antjÂˇHindu nor anti-any

other race or creed. S. That the S.G.P.C. has no desire for the establishment of Sikh Raj and as a matter of fact, the Committee is purely a

Mahatma Gandhi to Akall leaders (No. 27, p. 55)

, •

•

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE ANAL! MOVEMENT

rellgous body and. therefore. as such. can have no secular object or Intention .

26 Dear friends. I learnt through Pandlt Motl lal after you had gone. that the S.G.P.C. w.s actu.lly defending the .ccused In the m~tcer of the prosecution . of Akalls. I learnt too th.t • Hindu temple within the precincts of the Golden Temple had been destroyed by the Akalls and that the letter took their stand upon religion. In your letter which you have promised I would like you please to deal with all these questions. Yours sincerely M.K. qandhl, 4th March 1924.

27 As to the restoration of

Nab~a

Maharaja.

In my opinion. whatever the true facts may be. the Maharaja has by his writing made It practically Impossible for his well. wishers to carryon an .ffective agitation for his restoration. If. however. he makes a public statement that all the writings were practically extorted from him and that he Is quite willing and anxious that .11 the facts against him should. be published .nd If he is prepared to face all the consequences. of 'the agitation. viz .• depriv.tion oftltles. annuity. & c.• . and lfall his allegations regarding duress can be proved . It Is possible to carryon an effective and even successful .gltatlon. In any event when the declaration ' of <he . kind mentioned I. made by the M~haraja: the agitation shuld be .. ·.11 India a,ltatlon". The Akalis should merely .ssist in the elucld.tlon of facts . -M.K, Gandhh

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEMEN T

28 9-3-2-4_

My friends informed me to my surpirse that there was a misapprehension that after the Nankana tragedy I had expressed an opinion that the Gurdwara Movement should have been postponed till after the attainment of Swrajya_ And that my

~ener'al

recent letter was Intended to renew that opinion .

I never once

expressed the opinion attributed to. me. as can be amply verified Hy recent letter from my writing and speeches of the time. was merely an advice to suspend and not necessarily to stop altogether the sending of the then impending shahidl jatha till after deliberations with Committee of non-Sikh friends and full IntrOSpection and searching of the heart. M.K. Gandhi Poona, 9th Harch, 1924_

29 Amritsar,

April 20, 1924. Dear Mahatma ji, We regret that owing to a variety of circumstances, into which it Is not necessary to enter, we have not been able so far to reply to your letter dated 4th April. We have discussed the issues raised in your letter and we wish to state that on all those points our positiOn Is very clear_ We are glad that on these points our \ljews coincide with yours and w,e can request to atonce

to declare them on your behalf again, if you like. I. Yes. we agree that in matters of disputed control or possession, arbitration should first be tried and if you study the facts about our movement so far, you will find that we have been following this practice. As you "y. it should be assumed that all hi'torlcal Gurdwar.s must remain In the control of the S.G.P.C. ,

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEME NT

the onus of proving the historical character of a Gurdwara, when questioned, will bÂˇe on the S. G. P. C. With reference to all other Gurdwaras, all the facts In dispute should be a matter of arbitration. Satyagrah to be resorted to by the Akalis only In the event of arbitration and other attempts at amicable settlement being relected by the incumbent! . Sa t yagra h is to be practised In the spirit of perfect non-violence. The spirit of truth that should underlie such non-violent campaign requires Âˇ that our objectives and methods should be open and above-board. The S.G.P.c. has been holding this principle and has always enjoined It on Itse lf and ali those who have accepted its lead. We have been successful In carrying it out into practice and It is a source of great satisfaction to us that the public, on all occasions. has acknowledged our doing so. Our expe rience of this method has strengthened our faith in it and our adherence to It. 2.

Our movement is ne ither anti-Hindu nor anti-any other

race or creed. Though essentially religious In spirit and objectives, it Is thoroughly national in outlook. We have, therefore, all along endeavoured to carry with us the sympathy, approval and good wishes of all that is best in Ind ia or elsewhere; and we take pride in the fact that we have been successful In it. 3. The movement is purely religious and has no secular object or Intention. The S.G.P.C. is a purely religious body and We have has no desire for the establishment of Sikh Raj . repeatedly declared it whenever any such reflection has been cast on our Intentions by Govt. So far this baseless charge has been trotted out only by Govt. who may be interested In maligning us and creating

reversion against us among other

communities.

Jt is

most painful to us that it should have been necessary to have to make this explanation even to you. Not only S.G . P.C. but no other Sikh body or Individual entertains even In dream any idea or desire of establishing Sikh Raj. It is exactly because ours is a religiOUS mevem o. nt that although we have sought and rece ived sympathy and support from non-Sikh friends and Sikh and non-S ikh national worke rs, yet our people

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPI'RS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

have been very jealous of keeping the control and gUidance of the Gurdwara movement In purely Sikh hand s, and we are glad to note that our friends have appreciated this view and approved of it. Again, It is exactly because of the same reason that we have not availed ourselves of the frequent and affectionate offers of direct participation in our religious satyagrah by non-Sikh friends, such as the offers of Hindus and Mohammadans to form jathas and participate in our suffering In the Guru-ka-Bag days and again I.. t winter when the S.G. P. C. and the Akali D al were declared unlawful. Of course, we cannot repay the deep debt of gratitude that we owe to Hindu and Mahammadan friends like Pandlt Dlnanath, Swami Shardhanand, Swami Vishwa Nand, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Gldwani Onkarnand . Santanam. Kltchlewand others who have suffered for sympathising with us. If for no other reason. the love of these friends and of Malvyaji. Swami Shankeracharya. Ali Brothers. Mr. C. F. Andrews and yourself would prevent us from becoming anti-Hindu or anti-any other community or entertaining any dreams of dominating over communities.

II As for the significance of the Jaito struggle and Its Implications we Wish to state as follows :Right of free congregation and free worship by holding religious diwans is the birth-right of the Sikhs. Not the deposition of the Maharaja but the invasion of these rights at Jaito by the Nabha Administration was the caUse of the going of jathas to Jaito. The S. G. P. C. supported the protest of the Sikhs of the State .galnst this action but the authorities turned the deaf ear to the legitimate demand of the Sikh community and further aggravated the pOSition by closing the Gurdwara and fnterruptlng the Akhand Path by forcibly breaking the congregatfon. Thfs and thfs alone was the cause of the sending of the iathas to ,..establlsh the rights ass~iled : The S. G. P. C. has declared fn un",ulvocal Âˇ terms fn Its

SOME

C O~FIDE NTI A L

PAPEUS OF THE AK AL I MOVEME NT

communiques and In In structions to the daily jatha of 25 and each Shahidi j atha of 500, that their objective Is to re-establi sh the right of free congregation and free worsh ip. The S. G. P. C. has not had, nor has, any other objective than this and certainly does not wish to make Gangsar Gurdwara its ba;e of operations to carryon the propaganda against Nabha deposit ion under the cloak of pilgrimage and Ak h â&#x20AC;˘.md Path. At t he same t ime the S. G. P. C. wishes to make It cl ear that Its r esolution to get the wrong done to His Highness righted by all peaceful and legit imate means stands In full force and that the S. G. P. C. will leave no stone uncurned to carry out that resolution in consonance w ith

its wording. It is our Inten tion that when the Gurdwara Is thrown open to us we should depart within a few days after establishing our rights and ma king necessary arrangements for the fulfilment of our vow of completing 101 Akhand Paths there. We do not wish to make any unnecessary de lay In completing the above number of paths. We would rather desi re to have as many simU ltaneous paths as can be performed with due respect and ceremony. The only Implication that we can think of is that we feel that we will have fallen short of our duty if in the jaito Gurdwara we do not ra ise our voice to mark the feeli ng of the Panth about the martyrdom at jalto and also about the religious grievance of Nabha wrong, out of which the whole jalto affa ir has sprung. Nobody has any right to impose any restrictions on us as to the number of pilgrims. period of Stay, and mode of worship in our Gurdwaras. It should be hoped that the establishment of our rights and the fulfilment of our vow would be carried out amicably and In truly religious spirit and that the auth o rities will not create any complications again by any Interference with our legitimate religiOUS rights. We hope the above statement will make our whole pOSition dear to you and convince you . If you have any further views on the matter kindly commu nicate them to us. And so long as we do

SOME CONF IDENTIAL P APERS OF T HE AKALI MOVEM El\T

not hear from you that you completely agree with us we would request you to keep It confidential and not publish It. On our part we think that we have sufficiently and frequently enough declared our position In public and that no new announcement is

nec.essary. As for the suggestio n about making N.b ha de position an AIIIndia question and as a pre paration for that securing ce rtain announcements from His Highness. it requires much consideration and there Is no immediate pressing need of coming to a decision on the matter. A, for the query about the strength of the Akalls we have the satisfaction that the whole P a>l th is with us except a few Individual mahants who are opposed to us for selfish e nds. The number of Akali satyagrahis depends upon the Intensity of repression.

We agree with you In principle on the question of nonviolence and In its methods and Implications too. We mainly agree with you . But we have difference of opinion on two points. I. e., about the question of the alleged show of force Involved In a considerable number of men practising satyagTah at the same time and the questio n of disobeying the order of arrest. These points We have dealt with In a separate note annexed herein. You will see that second question has not yet arisen and the discussion about It i. merely academic.

111 Pandit Motl lal Nehru was right in Informing you that many of the Akali leaders are defending themselves In the present conspiracy cas. against them. They are doing so In this case because the charge Is extraord inary, I. e .. that they want to seize the Punjab. They want to combat that wicked charge posItively instead .of by the negative method of denying It In their statment. The wisdom of their action Is proveci by .the fact that the caSe has ~een &oing'on for the I.st sill Âˇmonth. but: t~.Âˇ , pro~ecution has

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS 0 1' THE AKALI MOVEMENT

not ventured to bring even a shred of eVidence about this charge. Another reason Is that the whole course 01 the Gurdwara movement has been made the subject of inquiry and they wish to prevent the history of their movement from being murdered. That even you have found It necessary to ask for repudiation on our part of the charge of desiring a Sikh Raj and harbouring III-will against other communities, shows how

(or the Government has succeeded in

clouding the Issues and how necessary It was to fight this campaign of misrepresentation.

Almost all national leaders . Pandlt Motl Lal included . had approved of this d lclslon and went further to form an Akall Legal Defence Commi tte which . however. died without funct ioning. We also want to make it clear that the S. G. P. C. has never adopted any resolution of the boycott of courts and has gone to courts many a time. deciding Its polley on every occasion according to the nature and circumstances of the case. Generally we have not sought redress In courts. but when advisable. have confined ourselves only to defence. It should be noted that ours is a religious representative body containing men of all shades of opinion, coÂˇoperators and non-co-operators. Our very demand for a Gurdwara law shows that if such a law Is given to us we must use the courts. We may also point out that In the present case 13 out of 46 are not defending themselves. The second batch of 58 members of the S. G. P. C. convicted under Section 17 (2) Cr. L. A. A. did not defend themselves and nor did thousands of other Akalls PUt In any defence who have been flung Into jails. As for the demolition of a Hindu temple within the precincts of the Golden Temple the facts are these:There was a Hindu image. Shiva -lingam. In a corner of the Parlka rma of theGolden Temple which had bee n introduced In recent times. The Sikhs are not Idol-worshippers and the S.G.P.C. had al_ ways looked forwa rd to an amicable removal of the Image in consultation with Hindu leaders: In fact this matter had been broached with Pandlt Malavyaji and Swami Shankeracharya. both of whom

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

had agreed with the Sikh view. Before the S. G. P. C. could achieve this consummation or had at all set about It, some Irresponsible and misguided men, most probably Sikhs. demolished it one night in April 1923 without even the knowledge of the S. G. P. C. or any person connected with it. When it was disÂˇ covered the next morning, the S. G. P. C. hastened to condemn this action and expressed its deep regret in public and its readiness to make amends to Injured Hindu sentiments in conSistency with the principles of Sikhism. While we resent to be called idolÂˇ breakers, we dare not figure as Idolerectors.

So the restoration

of the image by the S. G. P. c., the trustee of Rel igious reform, was out of question. Even from a practical point of view, the replacing of the image with a view to Its ultimate removal, and with the daily risk of Its desecration by irresponsible people, was not advisable. Short of It we were ready to make it up to our Hindu brethern In a hundred ways. By a strange Irony of fate the Image was demolished on the same night, April 12, when about 1600 Akalis were patrolling the streets of Amritsar to protect the life and property of Hindus and their temples and Thakardwaras. This combination of circumstances pained the S.G.P.C. most.

IV Most of the suggestions made In your first letter have already been adopted and carried out by us and we have been trying to act in the spirit wh ic h you are anxious to Inculcate. It appears that as yet you have not had the opportun ity to go through the literature on the movement published by us and also that our representatives have not been able to adequately explain many important points. We now proceed to take up the points discussed in your note and state our position with regard to each. I. From the beginning we have put forward only the min imum of our demand and have repeatedly dEcllred it in the press and on the platform and In conferences with th e representatives of the Government. We have never changed our position or made any

SOME CONF IDENTIAL P APE RS OF THE AKALJ MOVE MEXT

addition to our minimum in favourable weather. That minimum has always been the following :(aJ We want a law that would provide for a central, representative and elected body of the Sikhs as the trustee of ali historical Gurdwaras. I.e., those connected with the memory of any Sikh Guru, martyr, saint or historical personage. These Gurdwaras are mentioned in authentic Sikh books. The Government has all along admitted that the existing law is defective and that there is great need of reform, but for reasons of its own has persistently set Its face against conceding the demand for a central body, as mentioned above. (bJ We want the freedom of our religious symbol , the Kripan or sword from all restrictions as to wearing possessing, carrying, manufacturing and selling or size or (orm.

This Is not a

new demand, but an old essential religiOUS principle and the struggle for It is as old as modern reform movement. For a fuller statement

see pages 462-476 of the book named "Gurdwara Reform Movement" . Our claim is that the Law as it exists gives us this freedom, but the Government has been Interpreting it differently on different occasions according to its att itude towards the Sikhs. 2. The above are the minimum demands. It should not be understood that the Sikhs do not want to reform the Sikh religiOUS and charitable public trusts, other than historical , which are mlsmanaged _ It is hoped that when the main problem of the historical Gurdwaras is solved, there will be no difficulty in improving the condition

of other religiOUS

institutions by

securing their

management according to the conditions of their foundation. The present struggle, however, is confined to historical Gurdwaras alene.

3. We agree that reasoning and arbitration should be sincerely tried before resorting to Satyagrah in order to assert the S.G_P.C's. right to control and manage a particular historical G urdwara. This has been our praCtice all along. Generally when the efforts of locai Sikhs to reform a Gurdwara

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF TIm AKALl MOVEMENT

through persuation have failed and in some c.ses when even Law Courts have not granted redress, the S. G. P. C. is moved to take the matter in hand. The S.G.P.C. invites the mahant to remove the defects and consent to work under a committee represent.tive of the local san gat and affili.ted to the S.G.P.C. Respe<table and impartial persons, Sikhs and even non-Sikhs, of the locality are requested to Intervene and exert their influence to bring about an amicable settlement. If the Government Is not in a spasm of repression at the time, these counsels often prevail. The purpose of reform be ing attained, the mahant is treated generousiy in regard to his maintenance. So many Gurdwaras have been affiliated In this way. But if the Government as is often the case, is in a repressive mood, the mahants are put up and would not listen to reason, entreaty or arbitration. In some cases even those who have atcepted the control of the S.G.P.C. and Signed an agreement, throw up their connection With the S. G. P. C. In such cases, after all other means have failed, it betomes Imperative for the Sikhs to reform the Gurdwara by non-violent suffering. If aQ.Y possession has been taken by some enthusiatlc Sikhs without satisfying the above preliminaries the S.G .P.C. has condemned such action and ordered the possession to be restored to the mahant even though, reform was urgently needed . Our mode of suffering Is perfectly non-violent. All those who have seen the Sikhs' suffering have been convinced of their sincerity and non-vlolente. It is only the Government that has brought out convenient charge of show of force against the Akall Satyagrahis In order t.o dis-credit the movement although in Guru-ka-Bagh affair It felt obliged to adm it that the Ak31is had bee n completely nonviolent. Generally we have been practising Satyagrah In small numbers i. e. in batches of one, two, three or four. In the Keys affair, Individual speakers dis-obeyed the Seditious Meetings Act. In Guru-ka-Bagh affair, jathas went to court arrest in batches of four. During the beatings the daily jathas proceed ing to Guru-ka.Bagh were stopped on the way by police and ordered to disperse, on their

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AJ(ALI MOVEMENT

refusal they were beaten to unconsciousness. Nobody complained of their overawing any body. If they had been allowed to proceed they would have offered for arrest in batches of four. Even now at Bhai Pheru, batches of (our go out to court arrest. On other occasions, such as In the Spring of 1922 when hundreds were arrested. there was no question of show of force. for the Akalis did not offer themselves for arrest. but were hauled up from their homes by moving columns of police and military In pursuance of an official campaign of repression. The present struggle at Jalto has arisen in peculiar circumstances ne:essitatlng the sending of larger numbers. This we hold is qU ite compatible with the spirit of non-viole nce. which we hold is as the essential of our success. At Jalto. two of our dear religious rights were assailed without which a Sikh .. to be true to his faith cannot rest ". One is the right of assembling In the form of a congregation or San g"t and the other is to freely carryon Paths and other ceremonies of worship in our Gurdwaras. These rights were assailed by the officials of the British Administration of Nabha at Jalto. when they blockaded the congregation for many days and eventually broke it up and carried away Its members under arrest and Interrupted the Akhand Path going on in the Gurdwara. All access to the Gurdwara was stopped and Sikhs prohibited from congregating and resuming the interrupted Akha71d

Path. Batches of 2S ~Sikh pilgr ims have been daily going to Jaito since the 15th September. 1923. I.e .â&#x20AC;˘ for more than 6 months and have been beaten. humiliated. arrested and deported. The position of the Sikhs from the beginning has been the same and based on a principle. But the Government has frequently shifted Its position and tried to impose restrictions on the number of pilgrims, number of Paths and the period of the stay of the Sangat in the Gurdwara. Acceptance of any of these limitations would mean. for the Sikhs. the surrender of the religious principle at stake. In your suggestion about the limitation of satygrahis to <'one or at the most two" you have not taken to account the srgnificance of the institution of sangat in Sikhism and the principle of numbers

â&#x201A;Ź6

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERSrlF THE AKALl MOVEMENT

involved in the Jaito struggle. As you will see from the first chapter of the book the Gurdwara Reform Movement, the holding of and worshipping in sangats is an essential part of Sikhism. The sangat is believed as the Guru incorporate. From the time of Guru Nanak onwards, Sikhs in large numbers have been proceeding

to Gurdwaras and congregating therein. The freedom of temples would mean nothing without the free and unfettered exercise of this right. This issue was never so clearly involved at any other place in this movement, therefore, some find it a little difficult to understand the developments of the struggle at Jaito. To further cloud the issue, the Government and the Anglo-Indian press have persistently spread misrepresentations about it.

v After haVing tried for a long time to reform the Gurdwaras through the agency of law courts, arbitration, agitation and other

ordinary means, and having failed, the Sikhs h.ve been compelled to adopt the way of suffering taught by their Gurus. The idea is to civilly disobey certain official orders pertaining to the Gurdwaras and thus Invite suffering on ourselves,

remaining perfectly nonÂˇ

violent. This method has been adopted with the conviction that it will lead to success by moving the callous heart of the oppressor by presenting to him the sight of suffering inflicted by him and that by cheerfully enduring this suffering strength will be evoked in us and the public will be convinced of the depth of our feeling and the sincerity of our cause. Th is suffering may take the form of imprisonment, fines, beating or death. Government at first tried' the policy of wholesale arrests in 1921 and the first hal f of i922. In spite of inflicting severe sentences it failed to suppress the ardour of the Sikhs. Then in August 1922, in Guru-ka-Bagh affair Government deliberateiy adopted the policy of disperSing the Sikhs proceeding to the Gurdwara by inflicting inhuman beating on them which created a sensation throughout the world. The prayerful non-violent attitude and the undaunted

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF TH E AKALl ,1OVEME>lT

>teadfastness of the Sikhs under this severe trial, and the pressure of public opinion convinced the Government of the futility of this step and it reverted to the former polley of making arrests. That eve n failed for daily a batch of one hundred Sikhs offered itse lf for arrest in a perfectly non-violent manner for full two months Without

breath. There seemed to be no end to this stream of Sikhs volun Âˇ teering to be C\rrested. Thousands Were rendered destitute and homeless by heavy fines and wholesale unscrupulous attachments. After haVing arrested about 6,000 t he Government found an excuse to extricate Itself from Its wrong posit ions. In the present jaito struggle the Government tak ing lesson from Its failure at Guru- kaBagh tried to avoid maki ng arrests o f large numbers of Akalls and adopted the policy of cat-and-mlce play. The daily batches of 25 pilgrims were nominally arrested, often being beaten and humiliated before arrest, and were taken hundreds of miles away by train and sent adrift unprovided in the jungles of Bawal , an outlying dominion of Nabha State. These iathas often walked long distances back to jalto to re-arrest the right and met the same fate. This con t inued for months and the Government was absolutely unmoved. The religious sacrilege at jaito remained unremdied and the religious r ight of pilgrimage and worship rem2ined unredeemed. After five months the Sikhs resolved to take intenser and vaster suffering upon themselves by sending Shahid i iathas of 500. The objective and the oath of non-v iolence of these iathas was the same as of the previous smaller iathas. The first Shahid i J atlia that arrived at ja ito on 21 st February was ordered to disperse and , on Its refusal to comply with this order. was fired upon. It w.s perfectly Justified in refusing to disperse for a Sikh can not surrender his religious right of freely visiting the Gurdwara. When the Sikhs advanced even under fire to the Gurdwara, the authorities discontinued the firing and ordered the pol ice and military to beat them down and carry them away. The second, th ird and fourth Shahid i J athas on their arrival at jalto, were ordered to be arrested and got themselves arrested because from the treatment meted OUt to the first jatha It appeared that the Government meant to make genuine arrests.

SOME CO)lFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AK"'LI MOVEMENT

So far the question of disobeying the order of arrest has not arisen. and this discussion is only academic. But If it come to that the Sikhs believe that they have a right to disobey a mere order of arrest. compatibly with their oath of non-v iolence. Of course. while disobeying such an order only passive resistance Is to be offered. There is to be absolutely no retaliation , but only mere suffering Is to be invited on ourselves by refUSing to obey the mere words of command for arrest. For instance the ja tha advances to the Gurdwara and is stopped by an officer who declares It under arrest. The jatha will continue to advance as long as it is possible Without physical stoppage by the Government forces. If it is surrounded it will sit down and nOt move unless beaten and carried away. There its policy of disobedience will cease and while in jail its members will obey all orders unless repugnant to religion.

If one word is to suffice to make us

give up our pilgrimage and to submit to cat-and-mouse policy, then that prohibitory word could be pronounced as we step out of the Golden Temple or even. while we are In our homes. In fact that order has already been pronounced and

we are not to move our

legs at the mere presence of the order, we had better give up the movement itself. If we have got the right to disobey the order of prohibition and proceed to Jaito, and reaching there disobey the order of dispersal. and if in doing so we have remained perfectly non-violent. then we have certainly got the further r ight of passively disobeying the order of arrest and still maintain our non-violence. We are compelled to consider the neceSSity of extending the field of our suffering on account of the continued and Increased callousness

of the Government. It should be borne in mind that we are not fight ing fo r any ord inary wordly rights but for the most precious right of religious liberty not to win any new rights. but to retain those already ours. w it hout wh ich our life is Impossible. After full deliberations and intense experience of the consequences of civil disobedience we are obliged to admit that we do not Âˇagree that res istance of an order of arrest In the manner described above falls

SOME (OI'FlDENTIAL PAI' ERS 0.' THE AKALI MOVEMENT

under the category of violence. This passive resistance Is very limited and conditioned by the circumstances of the present struggle. It Is not a general undefined policy to be exercised widely. It is to be resorted to under special circumstances not out of wEakness, but out of wil li ngness to take greater suffering. Another practical consideration derived

from experience Is

that sLffering In order to be more effective must take the form of an imFresslve demonstration and Its intensity should vary with the hardness of the oppressor's heart. It is a patent fact that Govern. ment has become more and more hardened.

The idea or increasing th(" number of sufferers is to make our intense suffering lJaster . and th ere Is no "show of force" when the

whole jatha Is to act in perfect co-ordination like one man and goes only to suffer and not to inflict suffering. I beg to remain, Yours truly, Secretary, Shromonl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Basis proposed by the Committee on the 7th April , present S. Naraln Singh, Bawa Hark ishan Singh, S. Mehtab Singh, S. Te)a Singh. I. Letter from Nabh â&#x20AC;˘. 2. Akhand Path open. 3. Declaration . by S.G . P.c. regarding above. 4. Cancellation of notification Cr. L.A .A. and no further arrest. 5. Stopp.ge of Jathas to Bh.i Pheru. 6. Blrdwood Com mi ttee's recommendations about bill and Klrpan . 7. S. G. P. C. to give undertaking to work the Bill in letter and spirit If they are allowed to conSider the Bill in full Session, before the Introduction in Cou ncil , whether in Jail or outside. 8. Release of all Sikh prisoners convicted or under trail In connection with Kirpan, Jaito affair, Bhai Pheru , C.L.A.A., Black pagri (Military) , and the case against S. B. Mehtab Singh and others.

SOME

GO NFIDE~TIAL

PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENr

9. If there be any difference of opinions between the S.G.P.C. 3nd Government about .any particular prisoner or prisoners. the Birdwood Committee should decide whether they rail under item 8. 10. (Enquiry Into) Jalto firing by an independent committee or even the Blrdwood Committee. II. Convictions connected with S.G .P.c. movements not to carry any legal disqualifications or disabilities, nor will matters connected with the ~ movement form any basis for further prosE:cution.

12. These terms to be kept strictly confidential. ( Draft of a proposed statement by Maharaja of Nabha ) I deeply appreciate the sympathy expressed with me In the Panth but I have reasons to believe that the Interests of myself, my house and my state would be best served, If the Nabha agitation Is now dropped. I. therefore. request the S.G.P.c. to exert its influence in the Panth for this purpose. Notes handed over to General Blrdwood on 16th April 1924-: I. If assurance given about prisoners without prejUdice. Jodh Singh and Naraln Singh In any case Join. 2. If letter obtained from Nabha. and Akhand Path at Jalto begins. the Gurdwara committee will publicly drop Nabha agitation. 3. Government cou Id then cancel the notification. 4. The sending of jathas to any Gurdwara will be stopped. 5. The Committee will examine witnesses and make Its report 6. The Government will make it possible for S.G.P.C. meeting of the original members to be held. It goes before the council and when It passed and becomes an Act. releases will follow. I. The Government was ' preparsd to give a bill according to the wishes of the S.G.P.C. 2. That they were prepared. to release all prisoners. 3. That the Sikh representation In , the Panjab Council will be Interested at 25 p. c. 4. That a Council of 3 Sikhs could be appointed for Nabha.

S01!E CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMEC'fT

The rulers of Sikh states do not abjure their religion. That a Land Board would see that Sikh soldiers are

generously treated. I. Kirpan and Kali Pagri prisoners in the army . 2. If there is any doubt c!s to the release of a prisoner, this Committee would decide. 3. If this Committee can hold Jaito enquiry also, it will be accepted. Basis proposed by General Sir William Blrdwood-present S. N.rain Singh, Mr. Craik, General and S. Jodh Singh, 17 April 1924. I. All Jathas should stOp ( I ) Jaito (2) Bhai Pheru and elsewhere. 2. The Government would not make any fresh arrests under C. L. A. A. 3. S.G. P.C. to publicly withdraw from the Nabha agitation on receiving an assurance from the Maharaja that he abdicated voluntarily and desired the agitation to be stopped. 4. The release of the Pr isoners. When the Gurdwara Act becomes law. Gurdwara and Kirpan prisoners, including Jaito and Bhai Pheru, C.L.A.A. prisoners, convicted or und.er trail. 5. These terms to be kept absolutely confidential. 6. S.G . P.C. undertake to carry out the actual spirit as well as the letter of the law passed. 7. The Akhand Fath can be performed, prOVided no political speeches are made there and jatha leaves the state a fter they have performed thei r Akhand Path . Draft Resolution by the Panjab Government to be published Simultaneously with the announcement of the personnel of the Birdwood Committee. Certain conversations have recently taken place between the Panjab Government on the one hand and certain elected Sikh members of the Pan jab Legislative Council on the other hand with the object of ensuring a favourable atmosphere fer the deliberations of the Birdwood Committee, the personnel of which is announced to.day.

SOME CONFIDEXTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI

MOVE~IENr

I. The Governor in Council has decided in order that there should be no misunderstanding on the part of any section of the community to publish the result of these conversations and the understanding arrived at, which has been approved of by the Government of India. 2. (a) On the other hand the Government of India have agreed to permit the performance of Akhand Path ceremony in the Gangsar Gurdwara at jaica, on being given a written assurance

by the Sikh members of the Council who have taken part in the (onversation, that the (eremony will be concluded as speedily as Is consistent with the due performance of religious observances and

that the ceremony Including the Ardas at ItS conclusion will not be made the occasion for any form of political propaganda. (b) On the commencement of Akhand Path orders will be issued from Sirl Akal Takht Sahib, stopping the despatch of all lathas to Jaito or elsewhere and disbanding all lath as now on the march. The members of such lath as will be allowed to proceed to Jaito should they deSire, but only as individuals and not as part of any organised iatha. (c) The PanJab Government, with the approval of the Government of India agree to cancel the noeification proclaiming

the S. G. P. Comm ittee and the Shromoni Akali Dal as unlawful associations under Act XIV of 1908, on the Parbandhak Committee making a public announcement which will be binding on bOI h associations that It has decided, in order to create a favourable atmosphere for the Birdwood Committee, to abandon all forms of propaganda and agitation against GovernmentÂˇ either in Nabha or elsewhere. The Panjab Government further agree that on the cancellation of the notification, they will refrain from making further arrests under the Cr. L. A. A. (d) The leading members of the S.G.P.c. will give a written assurance :-

(i) To give all facilities within the ir power to the proceedings of the Birdwood Committee.

SO)lE CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE Al{ALI MO VEMENT

(1/) To carry out the spirit as well as the letter of any act that may be passed with the consent of the Sikh members of the Legislative Council as a result of the Blrdwood Committee's deliberations. The Panjab Government will give all reasonable facilities for the obtaining of this assuran,es from these members of the S.G .P.C. who are in jail in ccnsequence of the notifications of October last. 3. On an Act being passed to which the Governor-General has assented, the Government of India and the Punjab Government undertakes to release the following classes of prisoners. (a) Prisoners convicted for offences connected with Kirpans. (b) Prisoners convicted or under trial for offences connected with the forcible seizure of Gurdwaras and klndered offences, Including prisoners at JOlto. (c) Prisoners convicted or under trial under C. L. A. A. This will not Include persons convicted of or charged with serious crimes of violence or persons convicted by Military Courts. 4. The Pan jab Government undertake to take such steps as be in "their power to prevent the fact of imprisonments from prejudicing the careers of released prisoners. The Government of India do not desire to press for the Imposition of time limit to the Akhand Path but in View of the local conditions It is essential that a date should be fi xed by which the concourse of visitors from outside should leave the state. Plague is already rife at Jailo and the assembly of large number of persons might easily lead to an outbreak of cholera. Tbe water supply is limited to two wells, one of which is already condemned as unsafe, and the supply of food in Jalto itself is extremely limited. Finally [t is not fair to place on a smali state the financial burden of keeping indefinitely in a remote place the numbers of officials whose presence will be necessiated by a large influx of visitors from out side. For these reasons the Government must insist that no visitors from outside will remain within the state for more than .. .

SOME CON FIDE NTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

day. after the commencement of the Akhand Pat,h.

Draft proposed 24.4.24 The Parbandh.k Commltee being solely concerned With relig ious matter. and being actuated by a sincere desire to advance the well-being of their brother Sikh co.rel lglonl.ts Is most .nxlous to prove to the world that It is prepared to meet Gener.1 Birdwood Committee half way and thereby to create a new happier atmosphere and make it pos;lble to come to conclusion as regards the future management of Gurdwaras which will be sat i.factory to all concerned. Further h.v i~ g regard to the declaration of the Maharaja of Nabha that he Is not responsible for the pre.ent agitation about Nabh. affairs and has no .ympathy with It, . the Committee now makes public declaration In con nect ion with Nabha will be dropped, and further It announces that If an Akhand Palh I. commenced at Jalto, orders will be Issued to .top at once all Jathas proceeding to Jaito or to any other shrine pending the conclusion of General Blrdwood Gommittee-also all propaganda In ' any way crltlet.lng the action of Government will cease.

Copy of the letter of Nabha am not respon.ible for the present agitation about Nabha affairs. SdJRipudaman Singh

31.7.23. P. S. and have no sympathy With it. SdJR. S.

Prelent-

SOME CONFIDENTIAL P APER S OF TH EA KAU MOVEME NT

Col. Minchin General Blrdwood. Mr. Cralk S. Naraln Singh S. Jodh Singh Dated 24Âˇ4Âˇ24.

Went to fort. I. 2. 3. 4. 5. This proposal

Naraln Singh Myself S. B. Mahtab Singh B. Harklshan Singh S. Teja Singh rejected.

36 Proposed Baai. of Settlement 25.4. 1924 I guarantee on behalf of the Akal Takht that If one latha of 25 Is allowed to commence an Akhand Path In fhe Gangsar Gurdwara, the council will undertake that the performance of the A khand Path by the Jatha will occupy not more than 9 days. after which the Jatha Including the readers. will. leave the state. They further undertake that the ceremony Includ ing the Ardas will be purely rel igious. also that there will be no political speeches or propaganda In the state territory. I. consideration for the above concessions, the S. G. P. C. guarantee that despatch of all jathas to Nabha or other form of direct action will cease Immed iately the Akhand Path commences. Individual Sikhs will be allowed to visit the Gangsar Gurdwara. provided that they Indulge in no political speaking or propaganda while In the state territory. Further when Birdwood Committee Commences Its sittings. the despatch off all jathas throughout the

SOME CONFlDEXTIAL PAPERS OF THE AK."cLI MOVEMENT

Punjab will cease. These terms to parties

be kept strictly coufidential by both the

Present I. Colonel Minchin 2. General Birdwood 3. Mr. Craik 4. Jodh Si ngh Basis of settlement proposed by the Government. leav ing Nabha question aside . Date 25. 4. 24.

37 25-4-14 When the Bill proposed by the Blrdwood Committee becomes law. with the (onsene of the Sikh members of Legislature Council these classes of prisoners will be released:(a) Prisoners convicted in connection with Kirpan . (b) Prisoners with the forcible seizure of Gurdwaras including Jaito affair. (c) Prisoners convicted or under trial under C. L. A. act including the case against Sardar Bahadur Mehtab Singh and others. All serious crimes of violence wil l be excepted. This and the draft about Jalto shown to S.B.S. Mehtab Singh, B. Harklshan Singh, S. Te]a Singh on 25. 4. 24 with the result that S. G. P. C. should give nothing as a confidential undertaking and (B) Public communique was suggested. (Written in the hand of Bhal Jodh Singh , a member of the Birdwood Committee)

38 28.4. 1924

New Terms The following new terms were suggested by S. Jodh Singh at a conversation held on the 28th April. at which General Sir

SOME CONFI DEN TI A L PAPE RS 0 17 THE AKALI MOVE MENT

William Bird, Colonel Minchin and Mr. Cralk were Present:I. The attached draft communique by S. G. P. C. to be Issued with the om mission of the last sentence and the words ' necessity of' in the penult imate sentence. It should be understood that this commun ique does not imply the defin ite abandonment of the Nabha agitation by the S. G, P. C. 2. On the time of the communique referred to In (I) one of the dally Jathas of 25 arriving at Jaito should be given permission to commence on Akhand Path. 101 Akhand Paths in . all will be performed according to the vow taken. The S. G. P. C. Is unable

on rel igious grounds to give an explicit assurance that the ceremony will be concluded with in any fixed term. but S. Jodh Singh assures that Judging from the attitude of the S. G . P. c. , every effort will be made by means of the prov ision of as large a number of readers, etc., as possible to finish the ceremony as qUickly as possible. 3. As soon as an Jkhand Path Is commenced, orders to ,issue from the S. G . P. C. stopping or dispand ing all Jathas now on the march, including the Lyal lpur Jatha, members of such jathas to be free to proceed to Jalto as individuals but not marching in military formation as jathas. 4. S. Jodh Singh considers that the S. G. P. C. would not consent to the publicatiOn of a st.tement by Government on the lines of paragraph 4th of the telegram from the Government of India No. 835- S of the 26th of " .prll. 5. The Ardas at the conclusion of Akhand Path would con"ln no prayer for the restoration of Maharaja or any other words which could be Interpretted as propaganda aga inst the Government. 6. As soon as A khand Path is commenced, Government would announce the personnel of the Blrdwood Committee. 7. The Parbandhak Committee would then make a public announcement that in order to create a favourable atmosphere for

the Birdwood Committee, they have decided to su'pend all form of propaganda against Government both in Nabha and elsewhere and also to suspend the sending of jath.s to any destination. <It is understood that the despatch of the lathas to laito would be finally

SOM.E CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

stopped as soon as the Akhand Path commences). The foregoing statement will be binding on the AkaU Oal as well as the S. G. P. C. 8. On the publication of this announcement the PanJab Government will cancel the notification of October last proclaiming the Parbandhak Committee and the Akall Dal as unlawful associa. tlons. It being distinctly understood that should any unlawful form of agitation regarding the Nabha affair be renewed. anybody or any association direct ing or encouraging that agitation will again be proclaimed. and the Government would refrain from making arrests under the C. l. A. A. Act and from attaching property In realization of fines. The S. G. P. C. will give a written assurance, (a) to give all facilities within their power to the proceedings of the Birdwood Committee, (b) to carryout the sp irit as well as the letter of any act that may be passed as the result of the Blrdwood Committee's deliberation with the consent of the Sikh members of the Legislative Council. 9.

The P.anjab Government will give all reasonable facilities for the obtaining of this written assurance irom the members of the S. G. P. c., now In jail. 10. On an act being passed to which the Governor general has consented, Government undertakes to release the following classes 0 f prisoners: (a) Pri,oners convicted In connection with Kirpan; (b) Prisoners convicted In connection with the forcible seizure of Gurdwaras an<l connected offences. (c) Prisoners convicted or under trial under the C. L. A. Act X. It Is suggested that word "unconditionally" should be Inserted as exception will be made in the case of persons convicted of serious crimes of violence and of those covicted by Military Courts. II . As regards releases, Government undertakes to take

SUME CO-:<FlDENTlAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

such steps as He in its power to prevent the fact of imprisonment from prejud Icing the careers of released prisoners. Doubtful cases to be considered by a committee which wili make recommendations to Government consisting of the following:(a) Sir William Birdwood or, if he is not available, a Judge of the High Court. (b) A nominee of the Parbandhak Committee. (e) Chief Secretary to Panjab Govt., Mr. Craik.

39 The working Committee approves the programme lor compromise as drafted and It empowers the following SubÂˇ Committee to work out the details In consultation with the working Committee in Fort Jail. S. Mangal Singh S. Daulat Singh S. Raja Singh

Present I.

3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

S. ArJan Singh S. Niranjin Singh S. Partap Singh S. Harbans Singh S. Lashman Singh S. Mangal Singh S. Daulat Singh S. Gopal Singh

Dated 28.4.24 Whole story told to the outer Working Committee. 40

Dtaft Communique (Proposed on April 28. 1914) The S. G. P. C. has repeatedly and clearly declard Its position

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AI{ALI MOVEMENT

with regard to the Akhand Path aff.ir In Its Communiques and instructions to the Jathas given at Sri Akal Takht. But .s misunderstandings apear to have been created In certain quarters It once again relter.tes its real position. The only object of sending Jathas to Jalto Is to establish the right of Sikhs to worship and congregate for religious purposes Without hinderance. It has been mede clear that the S. G. P. C. has no other objective than this and certainly do not wish to make the Gurdwara Gangsa r a base of operations to carryon the propaganda against Nabha deposition under the cloak of performance of pilgrimage and Akhilnd Path. As soon as 101 Aklw lld Path s are finished with due reverence and ceremony and their vow fulfilled, the Jathas will have no further Incentive to stay there. It need not be added thar In the event of existing restrictions being removed the sending of futher Jathas to Ja ito or any other form of direct action will cease. (The deleted sentence Is not Included here.) The words to be used in the Ardas aher the akhand Path s at )aito. 41

"d Rii

<N,

»{?i"Gf'~ ~o d~

3 H<J'a'tI' B1 f!1\l3' f~ <JCf ~~o R<J'til <i~ I a.!CI~»{'Ol iiiCIIRo i8 il »{~ 11'0 3 "Gf'3Cf' ... ... il f~ij" ;'i a.!31:!tf ftJ»{'~ F.!<J1B iii! <Jo 3 ftli'i.t 3~i 3~i il aRc R<JTa uo, ~<'jt B1 W'!; \Jato'o ail 3 ~<'ji B RO!it'll)ff ~ fRtf1 fRBii' 3 R'31 Eltfii, 3 floe RC113 ~ ~lii il \!Cfi?;»{' 3 ;me B1 llHae' II'3R'<J, ft'(,)R'<i

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

tit

42 30路4路1924 Instructions for Shal jodh Singh and Narain Singh. I. We agree to the omission of the words ' necessity of' In place of the last sentenc, the following may be substituted in the communique: "It should be understood that this communique does in no

way imply the abandonment S.G.P.c."

of the

Nabha question

the

or It should be understood that if the above is not included in the communique the S, G. P. C. will be free to announce this fact , if necessary. The word 'definite' to be omitted and the word 'agitation' to be replaced by 'question'.

Line 2, omit the words 'daily' and 'of 25'. Line 7, omit the word 'explicit'. Line 8, omit 'but'.

Line 9, add however after 路Single'. 3. For this para subst itute: "As soon as the S. G. P. C. learns of the removal of restric路 tlons at Gurdwara Gangsar, jaito, no new jatha will be sent to jaito from anywhere by the S. G. P. C. Jathas already on the way will be Instructed to intraln at the nearest railway station

and reach

jaito as soon as possible and proceed to the Gurdwara singing shabad. 4. Omit. 5. Omit para 5. For information of Bha! Jodh Singh only. 6. Stands 7. For 'Nabha and elsewhere'. substitute 'Srltlsh territory and Indian States'. 8. For 'on the publication of' read ' along with the publica.

SOME COIWIDENTIAL PAPERS

PF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

tlon of'.

After 'Government' add 'for the same purpose of creating a favourable atmosphere for the Birdwood Committee:

Add after Âˇfine'. ' or taking any other penal action'. 9. Delete 'for the obtaining ..... . Jail' and substitute ' for holding a general meeting of the S. G. P. C. as It existed on the 6th August 1923 in order to consider the draft bill in a free and unfettered manner.' 10. After 'rele"e' add 'unconditionally' and after 'classes of prisoners'. 'convicted or undertrial.' (a) Delete ' prisoners' convicted' (b) Delete 'prisoners convicted' .

After

'offences' add

'arisIng out of Gurdwara Reform movement and Jaito affair',

(c) DelÂŤe ' prisoners convict ed or und e r trial'. and after 'Act' add ' including the case of S. B. Mchtab Singh and others' . Delete 'and of those convicted by Military Courts'. II . Omit the first sentence 'as .. . , .. prisoners' and substitute 'The Government will take steps to remo"e all legal disabilities and penal consequences incurred

by the released prisoners, mentioned

under para 10 and no further prosecutions will follow on the basis of any action or speech made In furtherance of G. R. M. including the Kirpan quest ions.'

12.

(a) Omit 'A Judge of the High court' and add 'any other

gentleman acceptable to both sides .'

Add Para 13. An enqUiry in to the Jalto firing affair made by an Impartial commictee, ccmmandlng public confidence.

14. Every effort will be made by the Government and the S. G. P. C. to settle the whole affair before the departure . of H. E. Sir Edward Maclagon. I S. All announcements concerning settlement by both sides will be made a fter mutual consultat ions. The S. G . P. C. will take care that no offensive expression Is used and Government

will also

avoid any expression humiliating for the Sikhs. 16. If the above changes and amendments in the draft of

SOME

CO~FU>ENTlAL

l'APERS 0]' THE AK.'LI

M O VE~IENT

proposed basis of settlement dated 30th April. 1924 are accepted by the GovernOlent. Bhal Jodh Singh. M. A.. and S. Narain Singh. and in the absence of the latter Bhai Jodh Singh alone. may sign the agreement on behal f of the S. G. P. C. 17. The S. G. P. C. has no objection in the publication of the whole or any part of the basis of setdement. 18. Bhal Jodh Singh and S. Narain Singh should make it clear that if as a result of any such publlcJtlon. any misunderstanding arises. the S. G. P. C. will also be entitled to the sim ilar right of publication in order to remove the misunderstanding.

Sd /- Daul.t Singh Mangal Singh Raja Singh. 43 It Is an indispensable preliminary condition ,hat in any settlement that may be arrived at. both the Government of India and the Punjab Government are to remain free to make such publication as

they may deem necessary at any time.

H. D. Craik 30.4. 1924. Inner Working Committee and representatives of the Outer informed of it on 30-4-24. (Jodh Singh) 44 Revised

Draft

proposed

resolution

the

Panjab

Government.

I. Conversations have recently taken place between the Pan Jab Government on the one hand and certain Sikh members of th e Pan jab Legislative Council on the other hand with the object of removing as far as possible all grounds of misapprehension and controversy which would be prejudiced to the impartial enqUiry into

SOM E CO NFIDENTIAL P APER S OF THE AI{ALI MOVEMENT

and the endeavour to reach an equitable permanent solution of the matters offered to the Committee to be presided over by General Sir William Birdwood, Bart., G. C. B., G. C. M. , K. C. I., C. D. E., D.S.O., the personnel of which is announced to-day. The Governor in council has dlclded in order that there should be no misunderstanding on the part of any section of the community to publish the result of these conversations and' the understanding arrived at which has been approved of by the Government of Ind ia. 2

(a). The Sikh members of Punjab Legislative Council who

have taken part in these conversations have given an

assurance of

their honour that if opportunity Is given for the performance of the Akhand Path in the Gangsar Gurdwara at Jalto, the ceremony will be concluded as speedily as is consistent with the due performances of religious observances and that no part of the

ceremony

will be made the occasion of any form of political propaganda. It Is anticipated by the Sikh members that the Akhand Path will be completed in ..... . days, and arrangements are being made accordingly, though no definite undertaking can be given. The administrator of Nabha will authorise the performance of ceremony on this undertaking. 2 (b). On the commencement of Akhand Path, orders will be issued from Sri Akal Takht Sahib stopping the despatch from any place of all jathas to Jaito or elsewhere. Such jathas as are already on the march will disperse but the members will be allowed to proceed, should they so deSire, by train to Jaito as individuals but not as part of any organised latha. On and after entering the Nabha border they will obey all orders of the state authorities. (cl The Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee undertakes forthwith to make a public announcement Which will be binding on both the Parbandhak Committee and the Akali Dal that they have decided in order to secure the objects referred to In para I to abandon all forms of Propaganda and agitation against the Government either in Nabha or elsewhere. The Punjab Govern ment V\ III thereuFon W lce the "ÂŤlfIcation proclaim ing the S. G. P. C . and

SOME CONFIDE );TI AL P APERS OF THE AK ,\LI MOVEME NT

the Akall Dalas unlawful associations under Act XIV 1908. On the cancellation of the notification the Punjab Government will make no further arrests In respect of offences arising from the notifications so long as the conditions detailed In this resolution are duly observed . (d) Lead ing membe rs o f the S. G. P. C . will give a written assurance :(i) to give all facil ities within the ir power to the proceedings of the Birdwood Comm ittee and

(Ii) to carryout the spirit as well as the letter of any act that may be passed with the consent of the Sikh members of Legislative Council. (3) As a result of the Birdwood Committee's deliberations, if the Panjab Legislative Council , with the consent of the elected Sikh members pass a bill to which the Governor of the Pan jab is able to assent as an eqUitable solution having due regard to all interests concerned and to which the assent of the Governor-General has been obtained, it Is the intention of the Government of the Pan jab to release as many

as possible o f

the persons now Impr isoned in

connection with the Akali movement. With this object they will review the cases of the following classes of prisoners : (a) Prisoners convicted for offences with Kirpan; (b) Prisoners convicted for offences With the seizure of Gurdwar. and klndered offences; (c) Prisoners convicted under C. L. A. A. These will not include persons convicted or charged With serious crimes of violence. The Administration of Nabha state will take similar steps regarding prisoners of the same classes in Its jurisdiction. 4. The pun jab Government will refrain from taking any steps to prevent or prejudice the resumption of there occupation as a consequence of their Imprisonment by prisoners so released.

813

SOME CONFIDI' NTlAL FAPERS OF TH E AI( II Ll MOVEMENT

45 Lahore 1st May: 1924. Dear Mr. Craik, Up to 30th Apr il the conversations between us were on the understand ing that everything would be kept confidential. On the 30th you gave me a note purporting that the condition of secrecy will not be binding on the Government of Ind ia and Government of Pun jab. I think th is condition co uld not apply to our previous co nversations. After 30t h, of course. there could be no hitch. I may recapitu late the whole proceedings because I fear the negotiations are com ing to a stand-st il l and it is better to comm it to writing what has passed between us to avoid any risk of misunderstandings arising afterwards. On receiving telegrams from you, S. Naraln Singh and myself came to see General Blrdwood and after a long talk you proposed certain terms on which a compromise could be affected . I noted th e m down and talked with the other side and then saw General Birdwood on th e 18th and gave him a brief no te of what the other side t hought. After your return from Simla you again wired to me on the 23rd . S. Naraln Singh and I again came on the 2"th and General Birdwood handed over a draft communique to me which the S.G.P.C. might issue about Nabha. That proposal not maturing on the 25th , we discussed the possibilit y of a compromise leaving Nabha question alone, and you handed ove r proposals to me for a settlement of th e )aito question. I took th e m to the other side and brought their proposals to you. On the 28th you handed over a note to me as a result of conversation between

yourself,

Col. Minchin, General

Birdwood and myself. I may point OUt that the headlines of that note convey a wrong impression . All t he proposals did not emanate from me and the ... .. even those proposals wh ic h I dearly indicated .. . ' " acce ptable to the other side. On th e basis of that note I saw the other side on the 30th

SOME CONFIDENTIAL P APE RS OF THE AK ALI ~1OVFME NT

and 'they gave me their amend ments of that note. But when I came to see you on the 1st you told me that the previous negotiations could not be carried on in that form and handed over a draft resolution to me which the Govy.lllfient SU'"'l'ui. should be publ ished by agreement of the approvaf~'fGoverp laho~,dia is obtained . At my suggestion you made certalll- changes '" it , ..â&#x20AC;˘ I took the note to them. The reply that they have noW asked me to convey to you is that by their experience of the last few days they feel that It will not advance matters to discuss proposals that still require the approval of the Government of Ind ia. They are prepared to give a definite reply if something is shown to them In its final shape. Yours sincerely. Jodh Singh

46 AMRITSAR

1-5-24 Dear Mr. Craik. On reading the proposed draft again I find these words on page 2 para (c) "To abandon all forms of propaganda and agitation against Government. either in Nabha or elsewhere." May I point out that If the Government of India agree to a settlement on the basis of leaVing the Nabha question stlll ...... it will be difficult to reconcile the word abandon with the clear statement of the S. G. P. C. that Nabha question Is stili unsettled. I mean that If once the Govern ment of India pass this draft how will I be able to explain to the S. G. P. C. that it means abandonment till the settlement of the Gurdwara question by the Blrdwood Committee. As for Ardas. I forget to tell you that at the time when this particular Akhand Pdt/' was interrupted the S. G. P. C. had fixed a particular prayer to be offered at the condusion of all such Akhand Paths throu~hout the British territory and Indian States. The words

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

now proposed have been toned down to their utmost. All reference to Government has been cut out in view of settlement.

Pray ask General Sahib to fight his hardest for Sikhs this time. They must have fougl--.i.l>ettÂˇhard..t under him so many times. Yours sincerely.

Jodh Singh

47 Gujr,nwala 9th May (1924.) My dear General Birdwood,

Ijl 'l'fu'l'.'! ,,1 01' lI'BW !fl ~'f<J q1<], ,,1 a1 "f3u After leaV ing you I went to Amritsar and along with Bh. Jodh Singh saw the gentleman concerned and discussed the matter with them. They are very reasonable. But they are undoubtedly in an awkward position as regards the change of route of the Jatha. A great deal of money and efforts have been spent in collecting rations; more than this, they th ink that the change will have an adverse effect on the mind of the genera l public. However if che Government moves one step forward towards peace and goodwill, they are prepared to move two. If the Government, as I suggested yesterday verbally, suspends, till the matter is decided one lV~y or the other, the rea lisation of fines and new arrests from to day, I can Induce them

to meet your wishes in changing the route. But for this, I am afraid the desire of ch.ngrng of route cannot be .. .... you will press the reasonableness of this suggestion on Mr. Cralk, so as to produce the necessary ( aim atmosphere, Moreover, there Is yet

ample t ime to the entering of the jatha in the state and If the Committee meets before that time, the desired object could be gained. Yours Sincerely, Narain Singh

SOME CO;'; FlDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVE MENT

Secret

No, I3940-PolI: Punjab Civil Secretariat Lahore, dated 10-5-1924'

My dear Sardar Jodh Singh, With reference to S. Narayan Singh's letter to me of the 9th of May, I am desired to say that I am not empowered to bargain with you as to the condition ...... the route of the fifth "Shahidi Jatha" should be ...... orders have already been issued to all Deputy Commissioners.. . ... directing the temporary suspension of the realization of fines inflicted on Akalis pending the result of the negotiations now in progress. It should be clearly understood (aJthat no anna uncement of this suspension is to be made; and (bJ that if the negotiations come to nothing, the realization of fines will be Freeeeded with. 2. As regards the suspenio" of arrests, such ,uspentio" is out of the. question so long as the despatch of "Jat',.s" and other unlawful activities continue. The suspension of arre:;ts is. as you are

aware, one of the terms of the main agreement and Is

contingent

on the cessation of all propaganda and agitation. Moreover it is obviously impossible to suspend arrests at Bhai Pheru so long as "Jathas" continue to proceed to that place. At the same time I am in a position to Inform you that Government do not contemplate making arrests on a large scale at the present moment. 3. As the matter is now very urgent and ..... _ leave Lahore for Simla tomorrow night, I must ask ..... , to let me have a definite reply not latter them 5 p. m. tomorrow, Sunday, the II th of May. either by telephone or otherwise. Failing the receipt of such a reply, I ,hall conclude that the "5. G. P. C." do not intend to order the ch.nge ,~f the route .... of course speCial arrangements may .. . with the "Jatha" .. , event of the "5. G. p, C."... suggest the prospects

9()

SON£

CO~FIDEN T1AL

PAPERS OF THE AI(ALI MOVEl4 S )/ r

of the main negotiations reaching a successful issue will be gravely prejudiced. Yours sincerely H. D. Craik

To S. Jodh Singh M. L. C .• Dhingra BUildings. Hall Gate. Amrits.r. A duplicate of this is being despatched to S. Narain Singh at GUJranw.la today.

49 Amritsar II. 5. 24. Dear Mr. Crai k. I am in receipt of your secret letter No. 13940 Poll dated 10. 5.24 and the contents have been noted by the S. G. P. C. They have written to me to say th.t they have changed the route of the jatha as follows : 14th Jhok Mohra 15th Jagat Singh Wala 16th Jandoke 17th Mukatsar I Sth Serai Nang. 19th & 20th Kishenpur. Wala 21st j.ito Yours Sincerely Jodh Singh

so Confjdenti .. \ Amritsar 12.5. ·24 My dear Mr. Craik . Just a line to remind you of the case against S. Moh inder '

SOMe CONFTDE,,-,IAL P APERS O{' TH1, AK ,\LI MOVEME)iT

Singh. M. L. C .. of Ludhlana. He is a very inoffensive gentleman, Just an eat-drink-and-be-merry sort of fellow and at this stage when the negotiations are proceeding. it w ill be advantageous jf the case aga inst him be w ithd rawn. If that be not possible at this stage, postponement or a long date may do. Next hearing of his caSe comes off on the 15th instant. Yours sincerely Jodh Singh

51 18. 5.1924. Copy of letter dated Lahore the 18th May 1924 from the Secretary Negotiation Sub-committee to Sardar Narain Singh and Sardor Jodh Singh . A copy of this letter was handed over to Mr. Craik by Sardar Jodh Singh the same night : We have Âˇ.seen the revised draft of proposed resolut ion by the Punjab Government handed over to us by you on the 17th May 1924. This dra ft makes such a departure from the line of discuss ions followed hitherto and involves so many changes in the previous proposals made by the PanJab Government that It becoms necessary to recapitulate the proceedings that have taken place so far. On the 17th April, after meeting the representatives of the Pan jab GoÂˇ/ernmen t , General Sir William Blrdwood and Mr. Craik, Chief Secy., you brought certain proposals to us which contemplated the settlement of all the questions at Issue including the Nabha affairs. The Solut ion of the latter affair proposed by the Government was that S. G. P. C. may advise the Sikh community to drop the Nabha aff.lr on receipt of a request to that effect from H. H. the Maharaja himself. We expressed our Will ingness to do so. If the Maharaja of his own free will and accord wrote to the S. G. P. C. Something to the follOWing effect :"I duly appreciate the sympathy expressed fcr me in Panth,but I have reasons to bel ieve that the interests of myself, my house and my

SOME

CO~FIDENTIAL

PAPERS OF THE AKAL I MOVEMENT

state woul~ be best served if the Nabha agitation is now dropped . I would therefore request the S. G. P. C. to exert Its Influence In the Panth for the purpose ." On the 24th April to our great surprise you brought from the Government an attested copy of statement dated the 31st July 1923 signed by H. H. and not adressed to the S.G.P.C. which the S.G .P.c. had already disposed of as having been secured from the Maharaja under circumstances detailed is S. G. P. C. communique No. 569 and 570 dated 2nd Aug. 1923. Further. It had been observed hefore the S. G. P. C. passed (he Nabha Resolution In its general meeting of August 5th and 6th 1923 after giving due consideration to this statement. As no fresh document of the purport proposed by the Government was forthcom ing. it was mutually agreed to discuss the settlement of after questions and leave the Nabha affair open. With this end In view. you Informed us that It was by the Panjab Government that a confidential agreement be made. We agreed to this. After scrr.e d h cussions you us a draft agreement on 28th April which embod ied. among the proposal to give an undertaking about the release of prisoners convicted

under

trial

desired should brought ot~. ers .

all the

in conn ection with Klrpan ,

Gurdwara and kindered cases, etc. The withdrawal 0 f the case against S. B. Me htab Singh and others was also included in the above mentioned undertaking. In this draft agreeme nt the re wes no mention of any time limit for Âˇthe performance of Akhand Path in the Gurdwara Gangsar. Jaito. It was also clearly put down there in that the Nabha question wou ld remain open for both the parties. After considering this draft of confidential agreement.we made certain necessary amendments and authorised you in writing on the 30th April to sign the agreement on behalf of the S. G. P. C. if the Government accepted our proposed amendments. On the 1st May you came back and told us t hat on reconsideration the Government did not want to make a confidential agreement

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AK AL! MOVE MENT

but had Instead given you a draft resolution wh ich was to be published by agreement and was subject \0 the approval of the Government of India. You also told us that the resolut ion had been drafted without even your getting an opportunity 01 placing our amendments before the ~Govern ment. On account 01 this sudden change in the form of discuss ions and the necessity of the approval of the Goyernmen t of India. we felt that it would not advance matters to continue to discuss proposals which were tentative and expressed our readiness to give a ~efin i te reply if something were shown to us in final shape. But we may mention that in the draft resolution of May there Is no mention of tim a li mit for the performance of Akhand Path at Ja ito and it includes an explicit undertaking by th e Government to release all prisoners convicted or under tr ial (or offences 'oonnected with Kirpan. Gurdwaras and kindered offences , and under C. L. A. A. and Fer,ons arres tEd at Jaito. Withdrawal of the case against S. B. Mehtab Singh and others, was also included in the above underta king. In 17th May after seeing che Government represe ntatives you brought to us another draft of proposed resolution by the Punjab Government revised by che Government of Ind ia. To our astonishmen t we find that the undertaking about the release of prisoners has been changed Into a mere 'intention ' which again has been made contingent on a new condition. viz .â&#x20AC;˘ " the Governor of the Panjab

is ab le to assent to t he bill passed by the Council as an equitable settle ment of the question, having due regard to all interests concerned" . Stranger st ill. in sp ite of clear knowl edge' of the inability of the S. G. P. C. on religious grounds to give an assurance that the ceremony will be concluded Within any fixed time as admitted by the Governm ent in the proposed confidential agreement o f 28th April, it has now th o ught fit to aga in pin us down to the same undertaking in a roundabout way. At the same t ime as already clearly explained In our instructions to you embod ied In the amendments proposed by us on the 30th April, it Is beyond our

SOME CONFlDENTIAL PAPERS C'F THE AKALl MOVEMENT

power for religious reasons to ask any Jatha that has taken the vow at Sri Akal Takht Sah ib to disperse before reaching )alto. but as already explained we are prepared to meet the wishes of the Government by sendi ng these jathas by train after the removal of the restriction on the Akhand Path. Further you gave us dearly to understand that all persons arrested at Jaito will be released after t he commencement of the Akhand Path. but now we learn that a new case has been started at Nabha In which the Head )athedar and jathedar and propably some other members of the 1st Shahidl )atha have been charged with violence .. ... .

Another disturbing factor during the course of discussions has been the excesses perpetuated on the S. G. P. C. members and others in the District jail Multan. In spite of your telegrams to the Government . you have not been allowed to go there and see things for yourself. These inc idents are not conducive to the success of discussions about settlement. Again although botl, sides have dearly understood since 28th April that the Nabha question was still open yet the revised resolution brought by you now wants us to abandon all propaganda against Government Instead of "suspending" as originally proposed in the draft agreement of 28th April. We may assu re you once more. if any assurance is required. that we have always been prepared for a reasonable and honourable settlement. that would secure to the Panth its objective of t he Gurdwa ra reform. At the same time. we have not the least desire to lower the prestige of the Government In the eyes of the public. But for reasons stated above we are sorry that we cannot see our way to agree to the settlement proposed in the revised draft resolution. SdJ-Daulat Singh for S. G. P. C.

SOME CO;<1FIDEN TI A L PAPEHS 0. THE AKALI MOVEME!<T

52 list May, 1914. My dear S. Jodh Singh ji. Herewith a true copy of the letter sent by me to General Blrdwood on 9th Inst. Please send me a copy of the typed notes from S. B. Mehtab Singh which was handed over to Mr. Craik. I am just in rece ipt of the following telegram from Mr. Cralk. I am sure you have also received the same. "268 Js.

urgent. Government does not propose to publish

anything regard ing course or terms of recent negotiations without

consultation with you. Stop. It trusts that you and your fr iends will meanwhile publish ... ... nothing as any publication at present would greatly increase difficulties of situation." Cralk Punjab. The telegram shows that they have not yet finally broken the negotiations. Please, therefore, do the needful. Will It not be better to Inform the gentlemen concerned not to pUblish anything yet 1 Yours Sincerely, Narain Singh

53 From Sir Daya KI,han Kaul, Prime Minister Patlala State, to Master Chand Singh, Editor, Panth Seu'ak Amritsar, ( Urdu) â&#x201A;Ź1q~~, ff.lHW 'll:l Hl:!l 9t'll:l.

~'fvOJ<! i'\1

fll

~Ifvij!<!

C!'

IN>R'

ill <11 "f3<J

SOME CONFlDNETIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

H~ lJR'>i'R' lJfu5 IH1t1' alH'al a'i?' ii' <iRaa a'H al <r.l' i'l, '>i'lJ i'l HR'OI'a a' Hal nul' fHa' I Bfao ~ ~ '>i'lJ a' lJa' Ftll>iTC5 Il' I ,!?>iftl H' RaB'a R'ful! f~(!~l ~ af<l 'Blw w fa »f'lI ~ ?>el RO!lH lIal aal RHS" ~' I »f'lJ llfB8 "0 W I iIltlaal H<l15' if l>fR'@'R i!l»f'lJ " ~ lJ'H ~ irnB lJgij'ii\ I Rae'a R'fua iii lJ'R flJS'5 fB5' ftl'>l,'B' mtl'feR oul' III I H- @o ~ 3,O!leo f5tI au' g I fau3a <i0l' Fj'lJ ;aB'a R'Fua r~thll eO! lJ<!. f811 <ie ~5 5~'- »!o (!o al afuala lIa Uf2»f'8' 3aal:;: 5 il'~ ' I <i'K <i'il al <!Taa ii' ,,"u Ra flHST e'ii\ I ~uj il~ tlko R'8 uaR08 »ffFlRZ'2 <iK R<iCOl R'fua i'l ,,1 FHa 5~' I

-i

FtI'>I'er tla1»!3 I

54 Lahore 26th May 1924 My dear Craik. I and Sardar Narain Singh had a talk with the other side from 3 to about 7 P. M. In the fort. The following is the Impression that I gathered from their talk :I. They insist on an impartial enquiry about the jalto ,hooting. If that be not possible for the present. postponement of the Present case till the enquiry. But If a promise to re lease the accused in this case alongwith other jalto prisoners is given. there Is a possibility or there agreeing to it, 2. They Insist upon explicit declaration about the unconditional release of prisoners but If the Government retain the present form they might agree to a written assurance saying, as you explained to us verbally, that these words are merely a legal form but In reality the Government will release all the prisoners. 3. They may agree to. our estimated time of Akhand Path s at 34 or 35 days ( 6 Paths at a time) and a week extra for unforseen difficulties .

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

4. One thing more. They are Issuing Of their own accord tonight the communique that was proposed on 28th April they should issue. I mean the one explaining their real object of jaito struggle and disclaiming all intention of making it a base for Nabha agitation. This step taken of there Own accord . I think. shOUld convince you of their earnest desire for an honourable settlement,

If pOSSible. I think that will settle with most of the difficulties in the last two paras in the proposed resolution relating to jaito affair. I shall write in detail tomorrow. Yours sincerely.

Jodh Singh.

55 Press Communique No ..â&#x20AC;˘ .. . The Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has repeatedly and clearly declared its position with regard to Jaito AKHAND Path affair In Its Communique and Instructions to the Jathas given at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. But as misunderstandings appear to heve been created in certain quarters it once more reiterates its real position. The only object of sending Jathas to ' Jaito is to establish the right of the SIKHS to worship and congregate for religiOUS purposes In their Gurdwaras Without let or hinderence. It has been so often made clear that the S. G. P. C. has no other objective than this and certainly does not wish to make the Gurdwara Gangs.r a base of operations to carryon the propaganda against Nabha deposition under the cloak of performance of pilgrimage and AKHAND PATHS. As soon as one hundred and one AKHAND PATH are finished with due reverence and ceremony and their vow fulfilled, the Jathas will have no Incentive to stay there. It need not be added that in the event of existing restrlctoins

SO)!E CO:-'' 'IDENTIAl. PA P ERS OF THE AJ(ALl MOVEMIlNT

being removed. the sending of Jath.s to Jaito or any other form of direct action will cease. Amrltsar. Sd/26 May. 1924. Gener.1 Secretary Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Amritsar.

56 Confidential Amrltsar, 27th. May 1924.

My dear Mr. Craik. I sent you a rough pencil note' yesterday per S. Sunder Singh. It was written In the train and I Jotted my impress ions of yesterday's talk on all the important points. I enclose the copy of the communique that the S. G. P. C. h.. Issued to day. On refering to the draft resolution. I find that the communique almost completely covers the ground of matters discussed In para 2 (a) and (b). The only question is of time limit about which I gave my estimate yesterday. About Jathas on march. there Is complete agreement on both sides now. So para 2 (a) and (b) becomes unnecessary now In view of this public declaration on there part. There Is no need for the Sikh members to give an assurance now when the S. G. P. C. has done so publicly. Para (e). Instead of S. G. P. C. issuing one communique and taking responsibility of Akall Dal also. they will issue two communiques separately because they say the two .organisations are qUite different and the each should shoulder its own responsibility. They are quite willing to abstain from all agitations against Sikh states .Iso. provided the Sikh states too like the British Government undertake to· release the Akal i prisoners after the passage of the Bill and. meanwhile. postpone the realization of fines, attachments. 'Typed by S. Raja Singh.·approved by S. Mangal Singh and S. Dou!.t Singh. Copy given to Instde people on 31st at 4 P,m. ·

SOME CONF IDEN TI AL PAPER S OF THE AKALI MOVEME NT

confiscations of property and fresh arrests. So para (c) reconstituted they will like It to read as under. The S. G. P. C. and S. A. D. will forthwith make public announcements that they have decided in order to secure the objects in para I to suspend' all form of agitation against British Government and Sikh states Including the despatch of jathas to Bhal Pheru and elsewhere. The Punjab Government will cancel the notification proclaiming the S. G. P. C . ... ... on duly observed. But they want to make it clear thot Nabha question is still open and settlement about it has nOt yet been arrived at and that should the necessity ar ise". they will still be free to make an announcement to this etrect. Para 0 stands intact. Bu t they say in order to give a complete assurance about (d) il they must do it constitutionally so that none may rebut them after words . For that purpose they will require the holding of the general comm ittee to discuss the Bill proposed before It Is placed on the council anvil .

Para 3 . About the rele. se of the prisoners , I wrote fully yesterday. They will like such some announcement when the Punjab L. C. with the consent of the Sikh members has passed a bill to which the assent of the Governor and the Governor General has ' been obtained, the Punjab Gove rnment will uncondit ionally release the follOWing classes of prisoners convicted or undertrla!' But If for legal form this announcement cannot be made publicly, a written assurance that the words used in the proposed resolution really mean what has been said about may satisfy them. Para (c) . In view of the stoppage of ag itation against Sikh States instead of the Admi nistration of the Nabha state the administration of all the Sikh states may be substituted. In stead of Para 4 of the new draft they want para .. of the draft proposed on May Ist. It may be included In the resolution or in the private assurance as you like bette r. Real ising the legal "If It comes to settlement on other pOints, they might agree to abstain Instead of 'suspend'.

100

SOME CONFJDEl' TJAL P APERS OF THE AKA LI ~!OVEMEMT

difficulties pointed out by the Government of India about the public announcement of the withdrawal of the case against them, they appear willing to accept your verbal assuran ce as Chief Secretary that when the bill has become law, the case against S. B. Mehtab Singh and others will be withdrawn . About the Jalto trial I have written fully yesterday. These are my impressions of the discuss ion with them ye sterday. They asked me if an agreement Is a rr ived at , what time the deliberations of the Birdwood Committee and th e passage of the bill etc. , will occupy. I told them that General Bi rdwood was thinking of leaVing India by the 1st October and before that he must finish not only th is bill but he must fin ish the wo rk of the committee about the doubtful cases also and I further added that what I gathered from talk they want to expedite ma tters as much as possible. The whole th ing Is now clearly laid before the Government .and if It finds It can effect settlement on the lines if may Immediately do so for in my opin ion lengthening of t he negotiations is bound to Intro duce fur ther complications for example: Some Lambardars . etc. , are said to have been dismissed and suspended for Serving the Akali jathas, etc. They Laid great stress on their reinstatement yesterday. Yours Sincerely. Jadh Singh.

57 June 192-4. Press statement reo the breakage of Birdwood negotiations. In Its communique 3rd June , Government has definite ly announced that the Idea of the Blrdwood Comm ittee has been abando ned. thus the negotiations between Government and the Sikhs about preliminaries have not resulted In an agreement. In order that there

SOME CONfIDENTIAL

P .~PERS

OF TH E AI{ALI MCIVEMENT

tOt

may not be any misunderstanding about the position of the Si!<hs In this matter the following brief authoritative statement is Issued. Early in March (1924). an Informal private suggestion was conveyed to certain Sikh leaders that if the Sikhs relax their demands about the Nabha question . the Government was ready to give a law about Gurdwaras and kirvans to there entire setisfactio~ 3nd release all prisoners. The Sikh leaders were likely to be put in direct touch with the Government of India. when the Panjab Government Inter-

vened and demanded that Jathas should cease going to Jaito and Bhal Pheru as an earnest of good faith. In reply the Government was asked also to show its bonafides by remOVing .restrictions on pilgrimage to Gurdwara Gangsar. Jaito. and restoring the st atu s quo ante 13th October 1923. To this the Government did not reply. In the beginning of Aprii the Panjab Government invited Bhai Jodh Singh. M. L. C. to serve on the Birdwood Committee which it contemplated to announce . Bhal Jodh Singh expressed his inability to serve on the Committee unless the release of prisoners connected with the movement before the introduction of a bill in the council was definitely guaranteed. A little latter S. Narain Singh. M. L. C. Gujranwaia. was asked by Government to Join this Committee. On the 17th April the above mentioned Sikh councillors and General Sir Birdwood and Mr. Cralk. Chief Secretary. met at Government House. Lahore. and after discussing matters With them met the representatives of the S. G. P. C. in Lahore Fort and out side. At this stage Government contemplated settlement of Nabha. Jaito. Gurdwara Legislation and Kirpan affairs .11 and m.de suggestions accordingly. But as the Government was not able to carry out its own proposal about Nabha, the settlement of that affair did not mature and It was agreed by both parties to proceed with the solution of the other questions. leaVing the Nabha question open . It was the desire or Government that I he settlement should take the form of a confidential agreement. The Sikhs agreeing, a document was drawn up in which Government agreed to give a

102

SOME CONFIDENTIAL P APER S OF THE AK AL I MOVEMENT

definite written undertaking about the release of prisoners Including those under trial in Lahore Fort and those arrested in connection

with Jaito affair, on the the passage of a Gurdwara Bill with the consent of the Sikh councillors. This draft document was brought by Bhal Jodh Singh and S. Narain Singh on 28th April to the S.G,P.c. representative who proposed some amendments, the more important of which were based on religious grounds. The S. G. P. C, had of Its on accord offered to suspend all forms of agitation in order to creat a calm atmosphere for the Birdwood Committee and Government agreed to cancel the Cr. l. A. Act notification declaring the S. G. P. C. and S. A. D. as unlawful associations and to abstain from fresh arrests and other penal actions; of course. the going of jathas to Jalto and Bhai Pheru was to cease. The amendments desired by the S. G . P. C. were of such ordinary and re.,onable nature that Bhai Jodh Singh considered the settlement s~ likely that he thought that another meeting would not be necessary. He, therefore. asked for and obtained the written authority of the S. G. P. C. for himself and S. Naraln Singh to.complete the transaction and sign on their behalf. whon on 1st may the two Sikh councillors met the representatives of Government, they were faced with a new proposal. They were told that the Panjab Govenment had changed its mind and, in stead of making a confidential agreement, wanted to publish

a resolution. but which was subject to the approval of the Government of India. This draft resolution disclosed a number of changes from the pOSition taken up by Government preViously. When this was shown to the S. G. P. C. representatives they naturally, replied they felt It would not advance matters to discuss proposals Âˇthat yet reqUired the approval of the Government of India, but that they were prepared to give a definite reply if some_ thing were shown them in a final shape. After two weeks' silence the Pan jab Government handed to Bhal Jodh Singh and S. Nar.;n Singh on 17th May "a reVised draft of proposed resolution by the Panjab Government approved by the Government of India." In this process the Government proposals had undergone further material

SOME CONFIDENTI AL PAPERS OF T HE ATCA Ll 1JOVDlE t'T

curtailment. The

defin ite

undertaking

103

about the release of all

prisoners was now changed Into a mere Intention to review the

cases of certa in classes of prisoners and release as many of them as possible. The release of S. B. Mehtab Singh and others In Lahore Fort was distinctly om itted and the S. G. P. C. was asked to rely on a verbal assurance of the Ch ief Secretary as to their release: there were other changes too. The S. G. P. C . could not accept the resolution .nd gave an elaborate reply on 1st May, Indicating how the new proposals fell very much short of even Government's own

proposals made preViously. While these conversations had been going on, the Governm ent Instead of giving the Sikhs an Impartial enqUiry about Ja lto firing: which the S. G. P. C. had been demanding from the beg inning, started at Nabha a trial of 22 Sikhs Including, besides a Sikh lady, the Head jathedar and jathedar of the first Sh ahidi jatha, which had been fired upon on 21st February in spite of Its admitted non violence. The S. G. P. C. In Its r eply had to notice this fact. On nnd May 1924 Bhai Jodh Singh Was called to Simla and shown a

draft

announcement

w hich ,Government proposed

publish about the break of negotiat ions and the abandonment of the Birdwood Committee as no agreement could be reached . He did not take exception to the wording which was colourless . On being as ked again, however. he expressed his belief that an honourable settlement was not impossible. Next day the Government reprsentat ives gave him to understand that certain amendments could be made In the resolution, but t.h at on the question of release of prisoners,

including the leaders In Lahore fort and those undergOing tr ial at Nabha. the Govern ment pOSition was unaltered. B~al Jodh Singh aod S. Naraln Singh saw the represeotati ves of the S. G. P. C. on the 26th of May, who repli ed that they wanted on expliCit declaration about the unconditional release of prisoners . pointing out however, that if the Government Insisted on making

its announcement in particular phraseology, it mig ht give a privat e written assurance that the words realy mean that all the prison ers

104

SOME CO t< FLDENTlAL PAPER S OF THE A KAJ.J MOVEMENT

will be released on the passage of the Bill. About the prisoners undergoJng trial at Nabha in connection with the Jaito tragedy, the S. G. P. C. suggested two alternatives. Release of those prisoners aloeg with other Jaito prisoners, or impartial inquiry. These views were duly conveyed to Government by Bhai Jodh Singh in two letters. On 29th May he received a letter and a telegram from Punjab Government informing him that Government was not prepared to make any change, and unless Government's proposals of may 23rd were accepted by the noon of Monday, the 2nd June, the negotiations may be considered to have ended. Thus after dragging on for full to months and afrer substantial agreement 00 most other points. the negotiations have mainly broken where they had begun, that is, on the question of the release of prisoners. It can be aosily understood why the Sikhs are 2nxious for the releui' of prisoners. Any Gurdwara legislation would be' doomed to fail, if the thousands who have suffered to secu re it do not come out to work it and the bitterness due to there detention in jail continues. It is hard to understand why the Government can not give the required assurance, unless it means to d~tain them in prison and frustrate its own purpose of restoring peace by giving the desired legislation. It Is also clear how moderate the Sikh demand was, for in view ofthere tremendous suffring at Nanakana Sahib. Guru-ka-Bagh, Jaito, Bhai Pheru, etc., by which hundreds have iost there lives, thousands have been rendered desititute and homeless. they might well have pitched there demands much higher. But knOWing that nothing in the world could make up for these sufferings, which ",ust go as a sacrifice for there God and Guru. they have only asked for the release of prisoners. The present rupture of negotiations has confirned the fear of the average Sikh that the Government does not want to release the leaders and workers of the Sikh community snd that a Government which would not do that would never consent to give them a satisfactory Gurdwara Legislation. Nothing strange, if the Sikhs,

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI 11 .. VE:-"lENT

105

in view of their past experience and particularly of the present negotiations, insist that their leaders at least must first be released so that they may as free men help to fashion the Bill and carry the 'whole community with them in accepting and working it .

Secretary,

S. G. P. C., Sri Amrltsar.

58 25-7-1924. The working Committee, conSISting of S. Gopal Singh, S. Daulat Singh, S. Lachhman ' Singh, S. Arjan Singh and Sardor Raja Singh considered the Elders' message-relating to D.D. (Dehra Dun) friend. They agreed that their representatives, Mangal Singh and Raja Singh , with Mr. Pannlkar, should visit the friend and discuss matters with him In the list of the message. Therefore Raja Singh was sent to Delhi to take the other gentlemen from there and proceed to D.D. He went to Delhi and discussed matters with Sardar Mangal Singh who far certain reasons showed his inability to take the job. He further considered Mr. Pannikar's going there to no useful purpose. Therefore Raja Singh returned the same, night to Amritsar and put the matters before the W .C. (Working Committee). The elders' message regarding Daulat Singh and Arjan Singh was also placed before the W .C. It was then ckcided unanimously to send Sardar Arjan Singh and Raja Singh to D.D. Therefore they proceeded by the night train. In the way S, Arjan Singh got fever. Hence he went straight to Hardwar and Raja Singh went to bring Mr. Pannikar. Mr. Pannlkar and Raja Singh proceeded to D.D. and wired Arjan Singh to meet them on the way at Hardwar. At Saharan pur St. Deedar Singh also came Into the carriage where Mr. Pannikar and Raja Singh were. He tried to find out why Raja Singh was proceeding, 'but he after about an hour's struggle evaded him. At Hardwar Arlan

JOG

SOME COXFlDE:<nA L PJ'J'ERS OF THE AKA LI MOVEMENT

Singh met Raj. Singh .nd Pannlkar .nd St. Deedar Singh. Sa int wanted to find out from ArJan Singh .s well, but he also after some difficulty evaded him. He again met Raj. Singh and told him that they were Insulting him by not confidlng' ln him but trusting a non-S ikh. He told Raja Singh that he Was coming from Lahore to see the friend, and find out what he wanted (a) Postponement of his case from settlement, (b) giving up his case or (c) he would give'a settlement to S.G.P.c. of his case. And that he was doing so in connection with negotiations th.t S. Joglndra Singh was conducting and which the elders had approved and the deta ils of which were sent by them to Jogindra Singh through S. Narain Singh. He wanted Information of Raja Singh and Arjan Slngh's mission so that his statement, the friend may not conflict with theirs . In view of the elders' strong message t hat everyth ing was to be strictly limited to W .C., St.'s money affairs. and the belief that the elders could not expect to be so Inconsistent as to tell everything to others without consulting the outside servants, the affair was all considered to be a bando. He was therefore again left blank from Hardwar to D.O. Pann lkar, Arjan Singh and Raja Singh sat in another carriage. At D.O. he again wanted to accompany A. S. and R. S. but they declined. They went straight to Chatopadaya' s pbce. and he to S. Prem Singh 's , although he sa id he would be staying In a hotel. A. S. and R.S. asked Chatopadaya to fix time with the friend. He said that about four days back the friend had told him to leave D.O. as his stay with him was harmful to him. Therefore, R. S. himself went to fix time, but took Chatopadaya with him t~ show h 1m house. etc. R.S. saw Ranblr Singh and asked him , to fix time With the friend. He did not like to tell the friend that we were at Chato's but R.S. told him that as, according to their information, Chato could be re lied upon by them, they stayed w ith him. Ranbir Singh saw him. He first sent for Chata and asked him why Pannikar was with R. S. (and) A.S. Chato said to show him that they were right persons. He, therefore. sent for Pann lkar and asked him whether his seeing A.S. (and) R.S. ""as

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not objectionable . He advised him to see them . But he mentioned that S. Jodh Singh passed D. D. for Mussoorrie the previous day. A. S. (and) R. S.'s going there proved the clique against him and so on. He then sent for R. S. (and) A. S. The following Is the summary of which passed at the meeting. Present were, Friend, Chato, Pannlkar, A. S. (and) R. S., Maharani sitting behind the curtain separating rooms. It is pointed out st . was at Prem Singh's, when Raja Singh first went to fix time, but he concealed himself In the bathroom. He was seeing the friend before Mr.Pann lkar went there It Is not known what passed from him or on to him. A. S. (and) R. S.'s meeting started at about 2 P. M. and lasted up to 6 P. M. A copy 01 the attached statement will for verification be handed over to the friend. Mr. Pannikar also desired a copy and accordingly one would be given to him, In accordance with the last promise of Raja Singh. H.H:-You mean to say,that your resolutions of August last,Truth about Nabha, your challenge to the Government have not been able to prove your bonafides and that during this one year the public has not been fully behind you. And stili supposing I do give this statement and as you say public opinion does get behind you and you proceed on sending Jathas. how will this be able to solve the question! Jathas cannot solve It. You challenged the Government for an open enqUiry. You expect people to reply to your challenge in the way you dictate. The Government gave the reply through the Viceroy's speeches. What more you want! People ought to learn lesson from changes of circumstances. You should think of political ways. Mere sending of Jathas cannot bring restoration nor can the issue of the statement you reqUire , but still I shall consider over the matter. It Is only political pressure that can bring you the desired result. R. S. Honestly speaking, we must confess that tbe general public has beon fully satisfied with the bonafides of our case. We can expose everything to a few trusted friends. but not before the public. We do not say we have not received any reply from the Government, We take the speeches referred to by you quite enough

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as reply to our challenge in the usual diplomatic form. But we are not satisfied with them and we have to contest them. I agree with your H. (Highness), that is, only political pressure that will bend the Government. But to bring the political pressure, to reply to the Government, to get the public opinion behind us, for Invigorating polit ical pressure, your statement Is Indispensable. Without It nothing further can be done. Hence the request. H. H. Well I must agai n ask for time to consider over the matter. R. S. Has not this question been di scussed with your H. by S. Mangal Singh and Daulat Singh . H. H. No. R. S. I think there was some d isc ussion with the said Sardars about your H. H. giving a statement which could be verified by somebody who came from Mahatma Gandhi . It was almost the same. H H. It related to enquiry about forcible d is position only, but that limited portion was phySically impr.ctiable to separate from the main enquiry. Moreover, It was for Mahatma Gandhi only. It was not a public statement nor on the sub ject su ggested by you. R. S. Then I should understand that your H. H. was not prepared for the enqUiry demanded by us, nor Your H. could Issue the requested st.tement now. H. H. I have stated that It is limited enqUiry from the main ,

impracticable to separate the and for the statement I want

time.

R. S. I realise that for the reasons stated your H. cannot agree to the proposed enqU iry. Mr. Chatopadya. It means that, Does not it, Maharaja Jee? H. H. It does. A. S. How much time your H. will take to form an opin ion about the statement. H. H. As soon as pOSSible.

SOME CONF IDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AJ(ALI MOVEME);T

to)

R. S. Sir! This is too indefinite. There are circumstances which force us that the decision should not be put to Indefiniteness. Kindly say some defin ite time. 2 days, three days. H. H. It may take about ten days. R. S. Well Sir. In the meantime. kindly give us an authenticated copy of the representation submitted by your Highness to the Viceroy. In the opinion of the legal advisers of the S. G. P. C. it is necessary that before the defence starts in the beginning of August, we should have the sa id copy. H. H. It is no good defending the case. Defence will not do anything. It will not save the accused from the pun ishment Government had already decided upon. I made the same mistake. The Government would have the same it did even If I did not delend. You cannot Satisfy the court by defence and further what value the copy can have to defend the accused 1 R. S. We are not defending becauce we are too much after saving our leaders. Let the court do what it likes. We are not aiming at satisfying the court (In the above H. H. also said Mahatma Jee does not like defence). We want to prove to the world that the case is a farce , Mahatma jee does not like defence. but this is not the defence of Individuals . It Is not being carried to save them. It is to prove the farcical nature of the charge against the existence of the S. G. P. C. and S. A.D .â&#x20AC;˘ the life of the Panth. The Government want to take a certificate from the court that having purposely overawed the Government and conspired. against the King Emperor by taking up Nabha question. S. G. P. C. has become an unlawful association and therefore It ought to be dispersed. Authenticated copy of the representation will prove that S. G. P. C. did not take up N.bha question for over-awing the Government, Mahatma Jee does not like defenÂŤ but there are circumstances different in every case, and moreover we do not say

Mahatma Jee controls our movement. nor does he claim It. In short It Is the considered opinion of the S.G.P.C. In the best advice available in the country that for our justification In the case the requiSite anthentlcated copy of the representation Is Indispensable. and

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accordingly on behalf of the S. G. P. C. I request your Highness to please give us one. H. H.

This is the second new proposal. I must require time to

consider over it. I shall consult

advisers In the matter.

R. S. Cannot your Highness please send for your advisers now! H. H. No. can not. I must look to the convenience of other persons as well . R. S. We can go whence the adviser is to come. It Is only a question of a few hundred rupees for him. But please see to our difficulties as well. Surely our inconveniences are far greater than his. H. H. There should at least be one holiday. Lastly it was decided that the S. G. P. C. man should go on Saturday to get the reply on Sunday. R. S. One thing more. Sir. supposing on the advice of your advisers. your Highness decides that your Highness Is unable to give any of the two documents requested for. kindly consider and advise us what we should do then. for taking everything Into consideration. we have made these requests.

H. H.

Why should we anticipate troubles before hand!

R. S. My Dear Maharaja Sahib. I have already Slid that I cannot delay our decisions much longer. In case your H. does not give us any of the said two documents. please PUt your Highness In our position and advise us what to do. for in our opinion without one of these two documents there is no gOing forward by us. H. H.

Does this mean that you are to give up the Nabha question' !

R. S. Well sir. when the Panth teok up Nabha quest ion. It did not take up to give it up. It has not sacrificed for this question for one complete year, meaning its sacrifices to be wasted. It took it up In rignt earnest and it wants to proceed on so with it. but can't do without one of the documents mentioned. H. H. It is not my cause now. it is the Panthlc cause. The great GUt.u has said .' BGnhen J inan di pakrie sir dije Bnahen nan

SOME CONFJEDNTIAI. PAPERS OF TH E AI, AU MOVE MEr( T

III

'e " When the Allie. took up Belgium's c.use. it WAS no longer chiton· Belgium'. It wa. of the Allie.. R. S. Well Maharaja Sahib. it i. the panth' s cau •• and Panth i. proud to have taken it up. Panth, in accordance with the orders of the great Guru does not in the least contemplate giv ing up the arm It

has gra<ped. It want< to hold it fast. But kind ly do not .natch away the arm , which In other word. means give the Panth what is nece«ary for it to fight on ; without giving anything means asking us to fight on Without any arms. Without one of the documents,

the movement is bound to cripple down and con.equently It cannot be expected to walk. We do not Want to keep quiet. As you say we v.ant to bring political pressure on the party · concerned. )\nd, in my ep inion the best thing for Us would be to place the matter naked open before the Briti.h publ ic. American public, the British Gcvernment, and for the Congress. Khilafat and others making a (emmon cause with us in the matter. But suppose the Government

tomorrow says Mah.nja Sahib i. sati.fied with the decision , where do we "and . What reply have we to give 1 I cannot say what the Panth will do. But I must put it in very clear words that in case your Highness decided not to give either of the two documents, Panth will decid e what it should do, how it .holiid proceed The form of decis ion I cannot say. but in my per<onal opinion the re i. no ground for S. G. P. C. to push on. The S. G, P. C. have (no) locus stand; in the matt er. They beceme crippled al .d they cannot move. H . H.

But there must be some occasion for a public statJ9:ment.

It was occasion for me to make on when t he Viceroy made the speech or Lord oliver, but how can I make a statement after a year Without any reason r How can statement spring out like a mushroom

in the rainy se ••on . R. S.

Occasions can be created for it (He suggested one or two

proposals for creating occasions ror the state ment, but they Were

not considered to be sati.factory ones and Mr. Pannikar agreed With H. H. ). Well We can think for th e cccasions and we .hall

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suggest later on . But in the meantime you very kindly do decide on the tWO proposals, and in case of there not maturing, the alternative, as the S. G. P. C. must decide In the matter before any delay. Mr. Chato:-Why not await Hailey's announcement in his Durbar at Amrltsar ? H. H. Yes. R. S. In view of urgency of matters, we cancot postpone It till then. H. H. You ask me for an alternative suggestion. You also give me your opin ion putting yourself in my poslti"n. R. S. If I must give my opinion, then putting my humble personality in your Highness's place I would not like to give the copy of the representation, but I shall have no hesitation absolutely In giving the public statement demanded. H. H. I shall consider over It. It S. Well sir, we shall be sending our man, most probably S. Daulat Singh to be here on saturday to get your final reply, I. e.. either a public statement, or an authenticated copy of your representation, or a suggestion as to what S.G. P.C.should do In the matters of Nabha question. But I must Impress upon your Highness the necessity of the ducoments and also that in their absence panth must without delay decide for itself what It should do. Final thing I have to mention Is that the S. G. P. C. has from time to time been receiving information that certain persons Including some newspapermen have been coming to your Highness and getting money on the pretence that it was reqUired for Panth lc work In connection with the Nabha question and the S. G. P. C. further heard that In one particular Instance a gentleman took a large amount from your Highness for the S. G. p, C. , that the Panth since it took up Nabha question is ready to sacrifice everything for your cause, but does not expect and is not ready to accept even a Single pie from your Highness for the purpose. And furthermore, If anybody whosoever Âˇ has taken any money for the

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S.G.P.C. or otherwise , it was not with the order, permission, cognisance or Information of the S.G .P.C. In the case of big sum, as soon as S.G.P.C. came to know about It, It ordered him to return It to you. S.G.P.e. was Informed after a few days that It had been returned. The position of the S.G.P.e. was quite clear In the matter. Your Highness should clearly understand that it Is not an indiv idual. whosoever, or a group of individuals that Is working In the S.G .P.e. for Nabha question . It is not even the W.e. or Executive Comm ittee for the S.G.P.e. that it Is working. It Is the Pan,h alone and comb ined who gave 'he S.G .P.C. that mandate In the election. H. H. I do not interest myself in money matters . Tell this to Maharani (Sah iba). Maharan i Sah iba came and the matter was repeated to Her Highness. After other mutual social e nqu iries, Mr. Pann ikar, A.S. and R.S. took leave . The whole of the above was related to the W.e. who decid ed that R.S. should again go and get the matter finally settled . He Is proceeding to Dehra Dun to night, the 25th July. (Sd /- Secretary. S.G.P.C.) Amritsar.

59 27-7-2" In continuation of my report dated the 25th July I have to report the follOWing : I reached Dehra Dun 5-30 on tbe 25th July, went to Mr. Chatopadaya (who), was as lee p. Went to see S. Prem Singh. non e responsed. Went again at 8-30. It was dec ided, I should see H. H. at 9. But H.H. not feeling well . I had to walt till about II . At II It was decided I could see H.H . at 3-30. I went about 4. P.M.

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H.H. said. as he was not feeling well. I had better see Chato .â&#x20AC;˘ and that he himself would listen to it. I asked "what has been decided. Has H.H. decided in favour of giving a public statement or a true authenticated copy of the representation /" Mr. Chatopadaya said. "H. H. has decided "NO" In both the c2ses". I said . "I explained last time how necesslrY it was, that either of the 2 documents should be given. I added, in cas. of Nabha question, I cannot see how S.G. P.C. can proceed further without o ne of these two documents. I meant waste of the Panth's sacriftces during the flst year. This means leaving the Panth to its look. The Panth under these cir cumstances shall have to consider how it should proceed further. But in doing so our object that was ther e should be (no) unpleasantness and at the same t ime the course should be such

that Government not be able to harm either the S.G.P.c. or H.H." Here long d iiCussl o n ensued. Maharaja Sahib, apparently under effects of the impression that he had not been treated fairly by our people , said two or three times. "Then why not leave the Nabha question." I then askod, "Has H.H. said so seriously. I can (not) think of anyother alternative under these

ci rcumstances.

What

course Is then left / What more suggestion I can make / But In saying H.H. said "I said so at the time S.G.P.C. men (came) to Nabha." I was told by Bawa Harkishan Singhjee "quite possible. w hether probable. after sometime the gove rnment may give writing to your Highness that H. H. will be restored after a certain period. The government may bri be you and so on . But you should not leave the S.G .P.C. and S.G .P.C. would not leave H.H." He further said. "Master Tara Singh lee said, "you are politically dead. Your raising will be a ressurection. The community will raise you, and before long ." But in spite of this. though I could not doubt _II what Maharaja Sahib said . and certainly with pain . I had to repeat "Then Maharaja Sahib, we do not want to leave N, bha question. we did not take it up to give it up. All what S.G. P.C. did dur ing one complete year was not done (or the sake of fun . We took the matter in hand seriously and we seriou sly mean to finish It

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successfully. But I explained to you how impossible It was for us to do so without either of these twO documents and that how the documents could be used . in our opinion, for further struggle." But as H.H. (was) not prepared to do either of these two things. I had to enquire whether under these circumstances, H. H. seriously advised us to give up Nabha qu<stion . It was too late then and I was asked to stay there for anothe r day which, after some hesitation, I had to agree to.

Next morning (July 26), I drafted the attached rough draft, which I explained was subject to alternation, correction and approval of both H.H. and the S.G.P.C. This time S. Prem Singh Jee, Maharani Sahiba , Maharaja Sahib , B. Chatopadaya were present . I explained again the necessity for the statement and requested H.H. to be prepared to give that; the document was to be signed then and used when the Associated men went there. But as the reply was to the negative, I said, "Taking your Highness' s remarks"-'then why not leave the Nabha question'-to be serious proposals, I presented the draft No. 2 of a letter addressed to the S.G.P.C. asking it to give up the Nabha question. Here Maharaja Sahib reltrated his yesterday's talk about our men ' s promises and remarks and 'so on and showing me S. Tara Slogh's telegram to England published In the Tribune laid "S.G. P.C. now wanted a loop.hole to give up Nabha question . I have seen negotiation paper with S. Mangal Singh. There was a proposal that S. G, P. C. would give up Nabha question on Its getting some letter to that effect. It was a foregone coocluslon with the S.G.P.c. " He further said, of course In words which came out from a deep heart, "S.G.P.c. a'ked me to be ruined ~y submitting that petition to the Viceroy. I was against it. Maharani was against it. My legal adviser was against It. By your representative Deedar Singh I was told this was the message of S. B. Mehtab Singh and his COlleagues that I should sign the representation . In view of the fact that Deedar Singh came with BawaJee and on other o<:cas ions on behalf of S.G .P.C. and also in view of the absolute fact that St.

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MOVE~1ENT

Teja Singh told me at Nabha (Deedar Singh was present with him) that Deedar Singh was the Gupt (secret) Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. I and Maharani were. as Sikhs. left with no alternative but to sign the representation. I have been ruined by the submission of that representation.

I have been

swindled.

I wrote

also the last year's message to the Associated Press with Bawajee's approval.

Because your movement is gett ing weaker, because you

are getting less funds. now you want a loop-hole. It is a fact that no life is left in us now. But if S.G.P.C. now give up the Nabha question. wh.t is le ft In us? If there is any. it will be squeezed by the government. It is Pandlt Malavlya who spoiled my case with Sir All Imam. He urged Ali Imam to treat me as he did. It is . Malaviy. who changed his views after seeing my case. About that very case you depend upon Malaviya? I often said Bhagat Ram was Daya Kishan Kaul's man. I was ignored in this respect as well. I cannot give the representation (i) because it is a private communication and second ly as

will prove our connection."

He was of the opinion that, situated as he was, he could not prove his case in any court. and as the limited enqUiry demanded by the S.G.P.c. was physically Impossible without going into the details of the whole case. he waS not prepared for the enqUiry and at the same time he could not see what good such enquiry could do. He could not suggest anything to the S. G. P.c. but surely in view of the reasons and the state of affairs explained above S. G. P. C. would be betraying him. If S.G .P.C. gave up Nabha question. If the court demanded the letter from him . he said. he would have no objection In giving the letter then." In a long speech. in which I expressed regret at the happenings about the Hu kam Nama. which. I must repeat here as well.ls no less an abuse of power then that exercised by the Mahants whom we have ousted. vindicated the position of the S. G. P. C. in this matter as well as in the matter of money. J explained to H. H. th e Intentions of the S. G. P. C. with regard to Nabha question. Maharaja Sahib being satisfied, we sat together to consider the matters coolheartedly. I Fointed out that I did not know law. but I thought the

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court had no Jurisdiction over H. H. In that case. Her Highness suggested. better get the Viceroy as witness an(ask o. him to produce the letter. Here I pointed out the danger of proving our

connection

by asking the Viceroy ta produce the petitian. After further del iberatians. H. H. consented ta give the attached public statement to Mahatma Gandhi. But the statement was ta be reply to a letter from Mahatma Gandhi asking the questions to which H. H.'s statement could be a letter. and secondly the onus of publishing the statement was to lie with Mahatma Jee. Mahatma iee should not ask in the letter whether H.H.'s letter was to be published or not but he can publish it. H.H. pointed out the difficulties that may arise after the elders convinction and new men taking power after us or in the next election. I assured him on the points. Finally the

statement was

dictated by H. H. and I made out two copies and then took leave at about 10 past seven in the evening. sit'ing for practically the whole day. (Sd/-) RaJa Singh.

P.s. I regret owing to feeling puzzled. I have not been able t~ repeat the facts in exact words I used there. but the facts are the same, though not put here in exact sequence of occurence.

(a)

Draft No. 1 A special representative of the Associated Press interviewed H. H. Maharaja Sahib Bahadur of Nabha at Dera Dun on the- - and the following conversation took place.

Asstd. Press Repr. It is generally believed that Birdwood negotiations failed because S. G. P. C. insisted on your Highness . restoration The belief seems to have been confirmed by the speech of Lord Peel , the late Secretary of State for India. In the recent debate on the Indian situation In the House of Lords.

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But considering your Highness' quietness over the sFeeches of Lord reading, Sir Mohd, Shaffi, Lord O li ver, Sir Malcolm Hailey on the Nabha affair, people feel that your Highness is satisfied with the decision of the Government of India in your case and the attitude of the S. G. P. C. In the matter is not appreciated .

Hi. Highne .. :-The presu mptlon is Incorrect. I am not satisfied with the decision of my case which was wholly a Banao of Intrigues and bribery, not without the hand of the officials of the Political Department. I kept qu iet over the insults levelled against me in the speeches you refer to partly owing to derangement of my health through drugs given me in the course of Intrigues ar,d partly because I consider It futile to cotest my case further In the face of gross injustice done to me.

Ifat any time circumstances convince me that justice will be done, I intend to fight out my caSe. But at the same time it should be clearly undertood that I am not responsible for the activities of the S. G. P. C. or any other Sikh body with regard to my case. The draft was prepared off hand consultations at D. D.

without cons iderations or

(b) Draft No.2 To The Pres ident,

S. G. P. C., Dear Sir, It Is rumoured that Birdwood negotiatio ns fa iled ma inly because of the S G. P. C. insisting on my restoration. Lord Peel 's speech on the Indian situatio n In the recent debate in the House o f Lords has tended to confirm that rumour. Though my attitude towards the activities of the Panth with regard to Nabha question has throughout r em ained the !Hr e as

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119

expressed in the Associated Press . telegram , of-- 1923; I cannot but thank the Panth for the feeling of goodwill underlying these activities. But in spite of this and the mer its of my cases I consider it to te In the Interests of all concerned that the Panth should set aside my case and I wish the S. G. P. C. exert there influence In that direction .

To be from his Highness. Drafted suddenly at Dehra Dun without consultation but scbjt(t to approval of both the S. G. P. C. and H. H.

(c-) Draft No.3 My dear Mahatma Jee, I am much obliged by the receipt of your kind letter. In reply to your enqUiry, I have to say that I have been reduced to my present cond ition through the trickery, corruption, Intrigue, vindi<tiveness and disloyalty of myoid enemies, rivals, officers, servants, and people who posed as friends. After crushing me these very people, still not being satisfied, have often abused me publicly In press and levelled baseless charges against me, which one cannot help characterising as mean and mischievous as my vllifires and slanderers know that, situated as I am, I could not reply to them. Mine is a very sad case and I was much touched by your kind enqUiry. I am suffering under a great wrong and grave injustice and what more makes my pOSition sadder Is that crippled and clipped as I am I cannot vind icate my honour. ( Rs to Elders-will this help us I ) If my memory does not fall me I think the Han' ble the Home Member said in one of his speeches last winter that Government took action In my case as a result of a judicial enqU iry or something to that effect. Now it w ill come to you perhaps as a surprise that not Withstanding my repeated requests Government d id not permit the counsel to apear In the case to which I was entitled under

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Government's own resolution. Such enquiry,

I think, can not be

called a judicial enquiry at all. There may be some ;uch other things as well, with which I need not trouble you at this late hour as I do not think that will serve any usful purpose.

60 From Sardar Mangal Singh to Secretary S. G. P. C. 16th August 1924 Delhi. My dear Sardar Sahib JI, Mr. Pannikar has come back this morning. He had long talk With Pandlt Moti Lal Nehru, Mr. Dass and C. F. Andrews on the Sikh situation and showed them negotiations papers. They .11, one and all, perfectly agree with us and are prepared to fully support us IA our demands. They say our demands are very reasonable and are exactly what can be expected from any reasonable man. I understand from Mr. Pannikar that he had already written to you direct from Calcutta. Moti Lal and Dass are prepared to mOve matters with the Government of India or the Home Government, if necess'ary. I want authenticated statement of our minimum demands to be

given over to Pandlt Moti Lai, Mr. Dass, C. F. Andrews and Mahatma Gandhi.! have got some papers already but I want about half a dozen copies of the negotiations papers as well as a statement of our minimum demands. This would help us in enlisting sympathy for our movement because when the people come to know about the reasonableness of our demands t hey will support our case whole.heartedly. This Is necessary. I will see Pt. Moti Lal When he is passing to Simla or possibly I may travel with him up to some distance and explain to him the whole situation and tell him what we want them to do. They have passed resolutions making our cause there party question but my complaint Is that our sikh friends in L. A. are not doing what they should do. They do not canvass and

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even do not mix with the Swarajists. They do not explain the Sikh situation to them. They do not ask them to help them. I think the S. G. P. C. should definitely order them to do this and that. ney are very lazy. other-wise we will have to take some disciplinary measure ag.lnst them and ask them to clear out to make room for others and better heads. I am feeling very strongly on this matter. I am enclosing herewith the copies of the resolutions passed by the S",araj Party meeting held at Calcutta on the 16th Instant for your perusal. I understand that Sardar Joglndra Singh and Ul!al Singh have gone to Amritsar with some proposals. I object very strongly to S. UlJal Singh coming in when we do not want him. ' 5. Jogindra Singh Is a second best choice but he Is someÂˇtlmes impulsive and for him It Is difficult to distinguish whether this Is to be done or not. At this time or that. he should be given definite Instructions beyond which he should not be allowed to go In any case. Please send half a dozen copies of the negotiations file and statement of our min imum demands that would help us even in propaganda work. I am yours Y. Sincerely Mangal Singh. (To S. Daulat Singh)

61 From S. Mangal Singh Deihl . My dear 5ardar Arjan 5lnghjl. Herewith I am sending you the letter which Pannlkkar wrote me today as soon as he came here. He has already sent one letter to you direct and I have also written another brief letter giving my Impressions of the talk which I have had with Pannlkkar. I again asked him to write out the correct version I am forwarding for your perusal.

Yours Sincerely,

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SOME CONFIDE NTIAL PAPERS OF T HE AKALI MOVEMENT

62 From Shri K.M. Pannlkkar to Sardar Mangal Singh. Deihl, August I B, 1924. Dear Sard .. Mangal Singh, I wrote to you fro," Calcutta the result of my Interviews with Pt. Meti Lal Nehru and Mr. Dass, Pt. Nehru told me that he would be prepared to help us in every way, with resolut ions, questions, etc., In Ihe assembly and by personal negotiations If requ ired. Mr. Dass is not going to England but on my showing him the papers in connection with Birdwood Negotiations he told me that if an authenticated copy of the proceedings Is given to him, he will communl<ate d irectly with the Cabinet. I also got a promise from him to pass two resolutions at the Swarajlst conference which are worded something like this. "This meeting of the Swarajya Party of the Ind ian National Congress places on record Its sympathy for the cause of the Gurdwara Reform undertaken by the S. G. P. C. and expresses appreciation of the sulferings and sacrifices undergone by the whole Sikh community In Its present struggle with the Government, Th is meeting of the Swarajya party calls upon all Swarjlst members in the Panjab Legislative council and in the indian Legislative Asstmbly to give whole-hearted support to the ir Sikh colleagues In their attempt towards a reasonable settlement of the problem _" Both Pt. Moti Lal Nehru and Deshbandhu Das have promised me that these resolutions will be passed unanimously In the meeting. I also showed a copy of the statement (which was drafted but not Issued) about th e negotiations to the C. F. Andrews who has promised to get It published In the Manchester Guardian_ Myown feeling is that If a settlement by negotiation is possible, then the only man who can lio It Is Pt. Moti Lal Nehru. Pandit Jee told ' me that Hailey asked him twice to Intervene but he did ITOt want to do so at that time. He declared himself ready

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12J

If some one who had full authority from the Committee will Instruct him. Pandlt lee will be going to Simla In the first week of September, probably on the first. It would be advisable If Sardar Raj' Singh or Mangal Singh could be sent with full authority. I have every hope that the matter may be settied in such a case If Pandit Nehru will take It in person to Sir M. Hailey. This is the impression I gathered and It Is given here for all it Is worth . In any case the leader of the Swarajya Party In the Assembly carries much more weight with the officials than any other Individual and if we can secure him to speak for us, there is every chance of securing better terms. Personally I am strongly of opinion that he will do much better than Pc. Malvlya who Is thoroughly distrusted by the Government. But that is for the Committee to decide. K. M. Pannlkkar.

63 From Sardar Mang.1 Singh to Sardar Daulat Singh, Secretary S. G. P. C. Hall Street Amritsar

21 August, 192'1. My dear Sardar Sahib, P.nnlkkar and I are ourselves non-plussed and thoroughly flabbergasted to see the publication of a statement regarding Birdwood negotiation in the 'Forward' . I think what happened was thIs. Asaf Ali got hold of a statement some-how or other either from Dass or from some other place, and while he was Introducing a resolution in the SwaraJist council about the Sikh s, read out that statement and from there it Went out to the press and 'Forward' published it without s.ylng anything as to whence or from whom they got it. I have sent a wire to Dass to know the real facts, the wording or which Is this: "Regret Asaf Ali reading a document which was private and given to you In confidence in the SwanJist conference. Please wire reply, Pannlkkar."

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SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF TI-lE AKALI tIlOVEMENT

We have received the authenticated copy of the statement and minimum demands. I will see Moti Lal "'hoo he is going to Simi. and discuss the whole matter. I think instead of trying your Bill business in the Punjab council which is rotten, it would be brought up In Legislative Assembly. We may not succeed but we will get on all-India status and Sir Malcolm Hailey will simply be confused. With a powerful daily paper from Deihl and for the matter of that the whole SwaraJist party with us, we can make the Govt. Jump. In fact the SwaraJlst support Is contingent on the support of our paper to the ir party which we have promised provided they do not fight with the Congress. They have given up the idea of starting another paper from here or purchasing Eastern Mail. They rely on us and promised to send us their good wishes. Please consider this q' estl)n reg. L. Assembly. If their Is no legal or technical objection to it, then it may easily be taken. Akall and Gurdwara question is now an All-India question. Please write me in detail. With best wishes, You rs very sincerely, Mangal Singh.

64 From Sardar Mangal Singh to Sardar Daulat Singh, Secretary,

S. G. P. C. Deihl, 22 August, 1924. My dear Daulat Singh, I wrote you yesterday how we ourselves were much surprised to s.e the publication of the statement in the 'Forward' of the 19th instant. Pannikkar was naturally much upset and he Immediately sent a wire to Dass, the copy of which was sent to you yesterday. This morning he has again sent another telegram to 'forward' for publication, the copy of which I am enclOSing hereWith for your Information . We are stili ourselves wondering as to how the copy

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of the statement went Into the hands of Asaf Ali. The reply from Dass has not come so far. As he has left Calcutta for Jamshedpur, I do'nt expect his reply very soon. We have been making enquiries. Mr. Asaf All himself has not come back so far, but we happened to meet Mr. Sherwani who has just come from C.lcutta after attending the Swarajist conference. He told us various things about Asaf and our D. D. friend which are very much amusing. This gentleman is highly respected and reilable, and we have no reason whatsoever to disbelieve what he says. You know already that Asaf went to our friend and saw him for a pretty long time and that the whole thing was kept secret even from men like Chattopadhya who is supposed to be hIs most confidentIal adViser and from whom, .. you know, nothing is hidden. I told you already that our friend has made certain important proposals to the Swara] party, the nature of which could not be known at that time but what has transpired now has confirmed my conclusions. Mr. Sherwanl told us that Asaf wired to Motl Lal Ji asking him to travel with him from Allahabad to Calcutta as he had certain Important communIcation to make to him. So they both travelled together. Mr. Sherwanl also happened to go In the same compartment. He says that when he went there; Asaf was reading certain papers to Motl Lal JI which he stopped as soon as he entered the compartment and an enquiry from him (Motl Lal) said that these papers were about the Akalis. Sherwani says that he did not know the nature of the papers but they were With Asaf Ail and he put them back in his bag and that Asaf was also taiking of this communique in the train. Amongst other things he also told Pandit JI that he knew it for certain that the Akalis would not be able to hold out for more than a month and that he should Interfere In the matter otherwise the Sikh's cause stands to lose and the movement may go down. Mr. Sherwani further told us that Asaf told Pandlt JI that the Maharaja has made a definite proposal to the Swaraj party to offer them one lack of rupees provided they took up his cause, and, eVidently, Asaf went from here with this proposal and naturally some Important papers from our friend. I do not know what had been

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SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

Its f.te, but what I came to know from Sherwanl regarding the answer given by Moti Lal JI , I think it was reject~d. Sherwani told me that Pandlt JI while talking of this proposal remarked, "Look here, I .m 63 and have seen much of the world but this chap wants to make me a foo/." It appears that Pandlt JI has clearly told As.f that personally he had to Interest in the Nabh. question. He Is only Interested In it because his friends Akalls took it up. He flatly refused to discuss this proposal saying that he would not hear anything about the Sikhs unless It comes from the S. G. P. S. That was the only reply worthy of a man of his pOSition, and from this It can be safely presumed that Mr. Dass might have given the same reply to him. But it would be useful to push on the enquiries in that direction stili further. As regards the statement Mr. Sherwani told us that when Asaf began to read it, Motl Lal said that it was not a public document to which Asaf replied, 'why not'! Mr. Dass Is also reported to have objected to his reading the statement. After reading a few lines, however, he himself said that since people do not appear Interested In hearing It, he may stop it, and did so, but he gave it to the press. Now the-questlon that worries us most is how and from where he got hold of this statement. There was one copy with Mr. Dass to whom it was given in full confidence, and It is not likely that he had shown it to Asaf since he knows all abont him. The fact that he brought some Important paper from D.D., which he was re.dlng to Pandlt Ji in train, raises serious doubt whether or not he could get Its copy from the D. D. friend . Mr. Sherwanl also told us that Asaf was talking abou t it In the train before he ha4 reached Calcutta. By the way It should be remembered that the D. D. friend was very much interested in the publication of this statement, because he did not like the negotiations to be r .. umed on these lines (leaving Nabha Question aside which was, he said, tantamount to formally giving It up). I myself have serious doubts that the Maharaja will ultimately play false to the S. G. P. C. These damned princes, you know, do not care for anything if they could get their own work done. The proposal of offer of one lack to the Swaraj party and giving

SOME CONFIDENTl/l.L P/l.PERS OF THE /l.J(/l.LI MOVE~mN r

I Z1

confidential papers to them. Without any consultation and even knowledge of the S. G. P. Coo are serious matters and should not be overlooked. It shows what way the wind is blowing. EVidently he is getting hopeless from the Sikhs and now he is look ing forward to the Swarajists. He is just like a drowning man who would unhesitatingly and unscrupulously pusl. down his dear and neark insmen and would try to catch hold of anything in order to save. himself. I am' sure if even he could find and occasion to betray us to the Government. he would not pou se to do it. It is high time. therefore, that we think over this question, otherwise it may be too lote. Pleas. send this letter to the Babas. I will ~e mak ing further enquires here but I th ink it would be useful if you could send some clever chap to D. D. who would regularly watch his movements and report all that happens there. With best Wishes, Yours very Sincerely, Mongol Singh.

65 Telegram

(August 22. 1924)

From Pannikkar Secretary Akali Sahaik Bureau. Deihi. To "Forward" Calcutta Kindly publish prominently following message in connection w ith publication of document entitled "Gurdwara Reform and Birdwood" quote, ÂˇÂˇmuch

surprised to see

in Forward of 19th

Instant. the publication of a document purporting to give .detail, about Birdwood negotiations. From the document it is clear that it was a private message and it is much to be regret ted that it should have been publ ished without authorisation from proper quarters . Pannikkar. " C/o Hindustan . Burn Bustion Road. Delhi.

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SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THB AKALI MOVEMB N r

66 Ambala City 21-8-24_ Dear Sardar Sahib, Referenc~ your letter dated 19-8-24. I. I will try my best to do as mentioned In para a, but I have explained the situation in my last letter.

2. Manifesto proposal is certainly a very good one. We will try to take in as many H. & M. as possible. We have got very littie material at our disposal here. Just please get It ready at Amritsar and send on to me. I will then send it for signatures. This is high time for the nerve, and I think we should be as quick In the matter as possible. Let the history of the nation, services and the movement be put in very briefly. 3. I will try my best with respect to 3. Yours sincerely. Gurbaksh Singh.

67 24-8-1924 To The PreSident S.G.P.C. Amritsar. Respected Sir. As I do not believe in the polky and actions which actuated breakage of Birdwood negotiations so far as our side is concerned (and on the day rejection of settlement was finally decided In Lahore Fort Jail. I stood against the rejection) and as the present policy of the S. G. P. C. (only one general committee has met after 13th October. ' 23 and one executive and of these tWO considered the policy) and policy and actions of its very powerful and important Instruments are unduly dominated by outside influence and consequently under the circumstances not In the Interests of the Panth and as in spite of strenuous efforts of some of the present

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members of the W . C. (are) rebuking myself and. even those of the leaders now undergoing trial, the matters are going further In that direction . I have been obliged to hereby submit my resignation from the working committee, which ~please accept and oblige. I beg to remain, Sir, Yours most obedient servant, Raja Singh.

68 Rose Cottage, Simla E., 1st September, 1924. Dear Sardar Sahib, Since the failure of the Bircwood committee, I have been ~ery anxious for the position of our community In the province and I have been thinking if any suitable further attempts can be made to arrive at a settlement. I saw Sir Malcolm Halley at Rawalpindi but I purposely did not mention any thing about the Akali situation as I wanted to guage the feelings of the Govt. and the Panth on the situation as well as that of the Hindus and the Mohammadans. I have seen that the sympathies of the Hindus and Mohammadans are daily on the decrease on account of their thinking that the position taken up by the Akalis being unreasonable. The failure of the negotiations of the Birdwood committee has, I believe, done a good deal of harm to our cause. Therefore, I have been In Simla, now, for about two weeks and I was trying to find out some body who could intervene on our behalf because I thought that it was impossible for any Sikh to intervene at this time. After many consultations and requests, I have found a gentleman whose name I would not like to mention in this communication. He is a wiry able and also a legal man from outside the Punjab. He is also a knight and In good books of the Government. He toas promised to Intervene and try to have the matter settled between our community and the Government, If we take up a reasonable position.

136

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENr

Even before this he has been taking some Interest In the Sikh situation and he understands some little about it but he has asked me to give him Information on the following to en.ble him to see If he can prove of any use to us. (I) The latest bill that was being discussed between the Government and the Akali leaders with a note as to what were the points With which the Govt. agreed and on what it did not agree and also the points on which the Akali leaders agreed and on what they did not agree. (2) Proceedings of the Legislative council, which I suppose, are printed over the past Akali bill Which was passed in the teeth of opposition from the Panth. (3) Proceedings of Select Committee on the same bill Which, I suppose are also printed. (4) Copies ohny representations or correspondence between the S,G.P.c. or ,Akali leaders and the Government. (5) A statement of what Is wanted by the S.G.P .C. now. (6) Any other information which you think would be of Interest to the gentleman concerned. I can assure you that he Is quite anxious to get this matter settled between us and the Government, and will make sincere efforts to enable us to come to some settlement. I will be leaving Simla this evening for Deihl and after staying there for a day or two, I will be going to Rawalpindi. If you send me the reply to this to my add ress at Rawalpindi, it will be quite alright and, then, If required, on my return back from Rawalpindi I can see you at Gujranwala, Lahore or Amritsar by 'ppointment, and we can discuss the matter If you think so with any of the present Akali leaders. The letter Is a private communication to your goodself and is not meant to be made public or to be sent to the press and I hope yOU will treat it just as such. The gentleman whom I have Interested In our cause wants to study the whole thing at first and then he wCluld be quite willing to

SOM E CON FlDENTI AL PAP E!l S 0 1' TH E AKALI MOVE ME NT

131

discuss the matter with " or 5 leading ,members of Gurdwara Committee, and then communicate with the Govt. on the basis of the understanding that may be arrived at after mutual consultation . From what I have gathered from the different people here and what is now apparent from the Governor's speech and reply to the address of the Sikh Sardars of the Ambala District at Ambala, I think that Govt. Is also as anxious, perhaps more anxious than ourselves, to have the matter settled although .some unscrupulous men who have got their own axes to grind are taking advantage of the Govt's present attitude towards the S.G.P.C. There is another thing that comes to my mind that: Yours sincerely, (Sd.) (Jogendra Singh]! To '\ Sardar Naraln Singh Sahib, M.L.C., Pleader, GuJranwala.

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I Gli!.U:!.B .i2~ !l®« efui ¥ ~.!:t LO!}!:! !C1!l2 al) S:l.BJ ~ I~ .e.2 t1!!J gB e. EHer:> !'I'< ~ alil!l!.E lc ~l!!-!.!aJ-I!Et!Hl2 ,t<I:I aaJ gll.2 !:taJ I G Il!I<t. la i!11! g ~ ~ g.il!!:! I1.!:tJ Hl~ 211! g a.n ~ S:lBJ •.e.!«aefe l2J Glalli! 28Ila ['~ 'G la.i« Hil! In!:!) .I!.I! :I:! la l"~ eI:I l2J'J !! La !le-~-4 I ~iI! !I<t. MJ.sp l2BJI n!:lh Ii!. jl«2JII«aeiE12JtE ?iI! .ELS:l. MJ EI!k! ee S:lBJ L!' IE ?g l!.l2!,« La~ !!,2J IlaJ !! .en ?'!! tEll2 !.!~ .a ~ll!E ee LO!:!!:' la,[,I!J Lc !i«le.~ 1S:l.I!Jn ,g gBJ (I:!) I i!2j! B2J .2!! /g Ill! IlH ~ !te~ lltll) 'l"F ¥ j'il.!«tl:J LEl£! l2J ?,I! lEll!? lE!.!l} !!~ .il!t:t La !!C~ 'ge .2il! ,le!.! 13[' B!J H~ g !l[' ~Il! g ~!S:l. ~ ~ .ll:lEI:!!« ¥ l2!!12 eG e.gJe Bil!J eJ:tEH.l1.!< .I!! '!l[' ~Je ~!! ,g l!! el:lEHJI.!< i.i:t ~1!l2 ~eill !!12J .i!I!J:t .e.a(ti'!J!! (z I) I ?I! G B(l i1?i!«a !.!8!;! ad>: lI! MJ E.BEllI« S:l.ElJ l<!J ?,I! 'Ell!? S!~ S!l!h (n) (EI

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nv}]v 3Hl.']0 SU3dYd 'IVUX:>OUNO:J ::rNOS

134 SOME CONFIDNE TIAL PAPERS OF THE AI{ALI MOVEMENT

from Sardar Joginder Singh to S. Arjan Singh.

(4th Oct .. 19H)

Alra House. Simla. October 4th. My dear ArJan Singh, I have been waiting to hear from you and I am now going to U. P. I will be back about the middle of October. I do not know If you have fixed any date for the meeting. I am afraid I wo'nt be able to attend If you have fixed any date before the 17th. Any way. it would not much matter If you decide to the following. r. To make peace with the Government. 2. Draft an amending Bill to amend Act VI 1922. 3. Drop Nabha. 4. Press for the release of prisoners. 5. Sending only a Jatha of 50 to Jaito. I am returning the Gurdwara Bill. '\ I am Yours Sincerely, jogindra Singh.

To The Secretary S. G. p, C .• Arnrlt,ar.

Lahore 23·II·H

Sir,

The Sikh members of the P. L. C. had two interviews with Mr. Emerson and had long talks with him about the Gurdwara legislation, the details of which have been verbally reported to you. We hope you have no objection to our working out.

50MB CO)l FIDIDIIIAL PAPERS OF THE AJ{ALI MO VEME)lT

13,

bill on those lines in consultation with the Govt.. and introduce it In the - next session. The draft bill will be sent to you as soon as ready. Yours Sincerely. Jodh Singh. draft of this letter approved by I. S. Naraln Singh 2. S. Tara Singh 3. S. Gurbax Singh 4. S. Partap Singh 5. S. Harchand Singh. Dated 23/ 11

72 Confidential

Dated 24th Nov, 1924. The Secretary. Sikh Council Party, Lahore. I thank you for you r favour dated 23rd November, 1924. In reply I have to Inform you that the committee will have no objection to your working out a bill on the lines mentioned by you. It Is, however, necessary that you will kindly send us the draft bill , as SOon as it Is ready, for our final say in the matter. Yours Sincerely, D. Singh . Secretary, S. G. P. C.

73 Khalsa College, Amritsar. Dated 26th November, 1924. My dear S. Mangal Singh, The Sikh members of the Punjab Legislative Council have

136

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

a ppointed the following members to nieet Messrs Emerson and Puckle to discuss details of the proposed Gurdwara Bill :_ I. S. Narain Singh B. A. Vakil 2. S. Tara Singh B. A., LL. B., Vakil 3. S. Gurbax Singh B. A. LL. B.â&#x20AC;˘ Vakil 4. S. Mangal Singh Man of Kotshera 5. S. Jodh Singh M. A. Professor. The first meeting will take place at 10Âˇ30 A. M. on Saturday the 29th at Lahore In the Committee Room of the Council Chamber and sittings will continue from day to day till the whole business is finished. Please do attend. Yours Sincerely. Jodh Singh.

74 Khalsa COllege. Amritsar,

Dated 26th November, 1924. Dear Mr. Emerson, The Sikh members have appointed the following five members to meet you and Mr. Puck Ie to discuss details of the proposed Gurdwara Bill :. I. S. Narain Singh . B. A., M. L. C, Vakil High Court, Gujranwala. 2. S. Tara Singh, B. A. LL. B.. M. L. C, Moga. 3. S. Gurbaksh Singh, B. A. LL. B.. M. L. C., Ambala City. 4. S. Mangal Singh Man, M. L. C., of Kotshera, District Gujranwala. 5. S. Jodh Singh, M. A., Professor, Khalsa College. I am informing S. Mangal Singh, who alone was absent from the meeting of 25th, about the time and place of the first meeting. If there is any change In them, you may let all know directly.

SOME CONFIDEN TlAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI

MOVEME~T

The addresses of the other Sikh members of the Council are given below:J. S. Harchand Singh. M. L. C .• Reis. Lyallpur. 2. S. Randhir Singh Kallaswalla. M. L. C .• Honorary Magistrate. Daska. 3. S. Partap Singh. M. L. C .• B. 0 , Shankar; Dlstc. jullundur. 4. S. Mahlnder Singh. Bar-at-law. M. L. C.. Pamal. Dlst. Ludhlana. 5. S. Boota Singh. B. A.. LL. B.• M. L. C .• Vakil Sheikhupura. 6. S. Bakhtawar Singh. M. L. C.• Kathgarh. Dlst. Hoshiarpur. 7. S. Sangat Singh. M. L. c.. Lucknow. (You know his eXact address.) Yours Sincerely. jodh Singh. H. W. Emerson Esqr .• Deputy Commissioner. Lahore.

75 Lahore. 10th December. 1924. Dear Professor Sahib. I enclose a printed copy of the Draft Bill In so far as it can be drafted at present. It is now. I think. in a form which should enable us to decide what modifications •• part from the Sections ' ·Ieft blank. If any. are necessary before Mr. Puck Ie and I. on the one hand. report to Government and before the Sub - Committee. on the other hand . consults the Sikh Councillors as a body. It being understood that the draft commits neither Government nor the Sikh Cou ncillors. The next meeting Is on Friday. the 12th December, at 2-30 at the usual place. Yours Sincerely. H. W. Emerson. To Sardar Professor jodh Singh. M. L. C. Khalsa College. Amritsar.

138

SO ME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEMENT

76 December, 1914, Third Week.

'1 €i" lJ1 <1'f<J<I]~ "ill ~l ~f3 <J

~~ f.. 1t R~ R'f<l~, i'ifR"1 ~IO' tlCaQil erKel, Jfl >liff.[3Ro .!1 1 rflH'o fll, R~ W\I Bl 3il (';1'>131 »J3 \I"Sil t'at' tIC ~O<'i f?E~f.I 3 '>i'\I ,,1 erilcl ~ <Jl <10 1.1001'0 -e ism 01<1('; il' l!oli '>ifQC1'o 3 I '>i'll \lail f<J3 ~ Ii~ ~e ~ ;'j t'iar RHSe <J CIa 1 fl'~ \lIR' lise ,,1 iiel i~ 0<11' f01~'fCl >litlo -e <1' 8'3 '>ifil5 <J<'i fer Wll' fOlR HI)jS RaQl f01R R~ij iRS 3 0<J1' l!fl RC1 e I »J'll tl'R

Mehtab Singh

2. 3"il' fFi'UI Riieol 3. o'H fRUI erG3'O -4. Shag Singh

5. Hf<J3'~ fFi'UI 30!HIRCo 6. 1'1'..' <IOf01f.11i fFilll 7. fOT'>l'1i1 ao fRUI 8. 9. 10. II . 11. 13. 1-4. 15. 16. 17.

Nanak Singh

<101 fAUI fI'"5qol

3"' niUl Ulf~ Dali p Singh Sal Singh Ja,want Singh (Shagat)

f\l'>llo' fFilll fRUi .:?<m..l oo'rv; rAUl iifoR<;: ,;ms'

<I]<I~ijf.l

Gurdit Singh Sehlolpur

SO}IE CONFIDENTIAL PAP ERS OF THE AKALl MOVEME:-lT

18. 19. 20.

139

Ranjodh Singh Kishan Singh of Amritsar Dan Sfngh

21. fH3 fFilll ~~,,1'>11) 22. tntB1B fRlII '!;HEl 23. f'!.1.13 fJ'llll 24. <flW/o ffi'lII R'OIa1 In supercesslon of all previous suggestions sent to you by us so far , we are forwarding to you this note signed by 24 of us. Master Tara Singh, although, he has not signed it for private reasons, is also

in agreement with it and has seen this endorsement. There are in all H members of S. G. P. C. amongst us. 25 have signed this note, 6 have given the second appended note. The remaining 3, S. Sarmukh Singh, Gopal Singh Qaumi and Chuharkana have not supplied us with any opinion. Of these nine, with the exception of S. Sewa Singh & S. Ral Singh I I Teja Singh Chuharkana, the rest have never participated in ou r deliberations.

'! â&#x201A;¬I

Rf3q[0 l{R'fB' (~) '>IR1' &0 fail '>fOl'lOl fa15 Hi B f~<5 <J1 <JQ f~tJ <J; ftiliT fa ;:j\:1 ~ 3' ~u <l ROIB'T ~ , llo 1>fR1' Wi: R':G 1l0OTC 'f(I B'B <J; fa RT,,1 RFi>Ho ,Fe f'Otl ,)fFJT f<!15 Ho'i!0 OIooT, filR f"'tJ tia E1 foml troOl'a ~1 &01 <lE1 <l~, '>Ill~T >WI) BTl) ~ <reT BaJB" 5~, !;{T tfu f<,'O mWrEl ii' ~e ik: B'T 03 THTi'lT ",1 "" ij~, H3 oT8' ",1 <:r.:Po Eoil tjOT ~, fleR Bel f;eo;, <J1B3; f"'il 1>fR1' OIB',r.l3 ",1 f\!<J ailo 0<J1' B Rail, H 010 ;:je1 ,)fRT UOlf fVl15 TQ 3' f;far 5fle>W I>f3 :<fTBRT tia El >1'0 ~ <reT 3 ie El \i!'>fTit BT~c: ""BT faB Hmjo ",bT faJ>W 3' '>fRI' tl'JcJ '>fT~ ~el l:!= 0i:J1' Qa;ar I ('>I) Rg 3' l.If<JB; 3; fle<J 0115 ~ fa fif""l al15-a'3 faB Rl'!ul ii o<Jl ~ . ~<J 3' ,11 i\oc: GiaJ ii Rae] ~ ilora faB ~ ii'01 Dc: a' llf<JClt

140

SOME CONFIOENTI!.L PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

lIf<R>T R;J' »IClTBl iii tl'e I »IIIB f~ ol'8-~ 3T arilel € illaH3 »IQR'a 3-e 5<!113'ul,,1 ;:, RCia ~,,111fu8T -h fB3 iN~. 1IO '!e «ilcl feu C16 il:,,1 ;:, feR Bel fGa ,,1 fliC) 'l'a1 <Je j' lIf<R>i lIf'lw ~e1»r € i;R "ll1f<:ffi 01,,101 5<!1 t.laal ;:, 3 Il'B f~" 5a 018 I R'lOl <PE f<r.:r fro f81;1»1T 0I8T"fR1'>fi uo fM'lT B HOt.la Cla'fl:!'>f Tfllo' <il:!l al8).f(';;ja Ciao' ~H 0'8 tiu "cror il»l3 tia t i1~ ~ -3 ,,1& "lei "00' ;:, I »IR1' ~3~ -go "", f~O' fCi »IRl' B' R-;'~ TIT fuu "'lfdB ut' f" f~i B Ho~o <Jl't!oji fao' <iel faE .. t!,f"3 ,,1 oul' ECO <I''ll", I fliC) '>ll'I1 llii B' ':W ou1' ~fl;»I'. f~ Bel <Jo f"ii 91 f~' f.. fl:!<? 3' ~ <J~ '>iR!' CI-el ,,1 <iel filil~'a our <J~iijl Raj' Rii' -3 0'8'3 '>fQR'O fifol ,,'0 Hall lp1'863 "'l6 T ijl, feR 8el Rl~ ,"18.. f~ <Je B' <iel [1:I'>I'l'!" 0' .. a~ fliC) ~O B~ fi:1<J;;' R'a' RR'a 01 "'<1 "'<1 Cia I (1) F.i. ill. l{. "'lifel ie' O'H .. € ,,1 0<11' Ilt!Bo' 13'illt!T ;J'~' Oil'a RHS3 ,,1 f,,~' (iT ~e t.lTG I (2) ~ei Be -e' j~ ~Hcl "Hel B <lC € fOOlH' '>!QR'a 5co 13'ill", ;:, '>iaa'3 "" fl:!" fijI; '>i3 fij>lel ~ a'E Be '" 5.. fie' ;;!'<Jl-e' il feR <1'" ~ f"ii lIO ..'a 3 f"ii <ii' ,,1 Uf~' llaH f~ B:lIB B<!' ij I fi'lR ?; "B ", <iel fAtf i'li fijtf<!l HOt.la - odj' ..aal' I (3) ~il fRtf fi'l<1il Ra,,'a' Bl Raf"H f,,13 uo ~o! ~ If'lla !leo i'I' nominate <Je B' €t..' ill <iel ;j'" ou1' <Je' ,,'<11B' f.. €t'f.. f~ 30j <1'.. Be 0'8 Ro"'" €to} B il'aa '>f,fB aco f<r.:r influence .. a R",,1 5 I (4) ~ ~ <iel jli oil!' <icT 13'<l1eTfli llfil81 ;Ie f"" feR 015 e T~R8' ~O "a f.. <iel ~RC!' 8'fe'>f' 5few H'llo t83 i'! 01' oul' feR ~H B oftloc 8el ~1 foal1>1 fA'" el <11 arHc:1 5el "'vlel ;:, I <ioc ~ feo ;j'CI B<!T ~H ~ :lI3a f,," wile' ~ I (5) '1."Hc:l Bl H'iIO' Bl falC31 uk 3' uk =<00 (e ii) 5<!1 " 'illt!l 5 '>13 flOR falc 31 ~ "olCi ..ao -e' <1'.. arilc:l B · <lCI f~ <icT "'<lIB' 5 I (6) Special Committees of Management i'i.. "Hc:l B direct &5 5<:1l>lT il'<llt!l'>f' <JO 1>13 'li'll'>ii Committees of Management ,,1 g.

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

ClH~l

141

-e

1'15 effectively <iel,>!i ,p<:Jltll,>!i ilo '>!otl'3 principal of centralization 3 i'ia.:!C' 1O'iJltl' ~ »i3 principal of decentralization fil<!' 3C1 ii fI~ «~ tl1 ~llll ClOo1 "\lTiJl"l ~ I (7) f,P>I'R3 i €! fhm O1H~l .:! fI'a H'<la t ..,1 fareal -e u~' fiJi! 3' ,,1 iJCI il'03 f~"\l UIC ;j<§ "\l'iJle iJO, ~Q 01.:! ~1 0<11' ~ "\lTiJ1€! I (8) Panel fR"\l:ir -e '>I'eHl!>fl ..,. ill O1HZl <ig' HOiilo 0100' "ij'ult!' ~, ~Q Clt!'f;f3 (')ul' I (9) O1il~l tll ;1c ..,1 fll'>l'''' f30 fIl5 010 eel o·ul..,l ~ feu <lil3 8,11 3 O1ilel -e fi'i1i!Hi '>!QR'O 'l R~ ..,1 <iel o'iJltll a I (I 0) ~. O1H~l .:! "jorilOlfe~ H'lloi ~ BOlIO OI"~l,>!i -e H'tIO <re?i t!T \lo' ljo' <f0l" ;je' o'ill..,. ~ '>13 fef! <f0l ~ aOl"e' ~'':! ..,1 OJ5'Hl ~ I (11) O1il~l B tle!t!'O tJi "jar;i",fz~ H'llor ..,1 3?i<!'u (')ul' <iclo'iJlt!l, f<l5 f~ feli! ..,1 '>I'(')aol Rof~R '>fT tI'C' o'iJl.." ~ fH<r.1' fOl" ~e'O ..,1 iJ'53 f~iJ llOO) '>13 ll'C11 H'tIO! ..,1 u'53 f~iJ ;'10) 3' UIC ill <ie' 1O'ul..,' :I '>13 (til ,,1 '>If3 B<! RH' '>13 a<!' rarely ~03?i'

;:J'Jl..,' ~

(12) ~-R"\lOl"'o~<io~elRules !lie ..,1 ft15 f~"ij liezi')<Jl' <lel "\l'ule1 I ('>!) '>13 8. 01~1 e Bylaw, ak RllQl aTofilz ~ ~el tl\;5 nill' Be' "ij'ult!' tie' f01 O1il~l fa5 f~ ~e1 Bylaw, ?)I tIC.~ I (e) ;1c OI"o'~el ~. O1im t1 u"a <iel o'ill..,l ::I I (13) fI.a ill fa" f~ ROOl'o ?i iJCI tl i l>fTlW ul <fa 0lR; tll ~fF.!l:l 01"131 ~ '>13 fA\;! ~ ;'0' tro' or.. t!T l;!u3'tI ak..,l I feu ~fF.lF.l fil(')l s1 UIC ClO'~e t!' 0130 0113' tI~ .:Jar ::I I (!351!>fl flTal!>fl ill orB! 5t!1 R'~ lI'R conclusive '>13 irrefutable ~l"i <J?) fim:!l'>!! fOl" f~Ra'o je B' ~ OI",rei '>IRi (')ul' f5\;1'>1 1 l>f3 feo~ f~' ~Al' ~1 a<;!3 ,!S '>I'll RHS flOle <l I eol'>!! ,!oa'(')l'>1i 01"00 f'li' ill ~el falO eOl . B'elot 3' ~Q- He' ~H j; A~l a'i! f~ li~li3 lian' :II i;, 1. ftlo' roo unlawful association '>Ili'sl ~ '03 flilQ3

142

SOME CO~FIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEME'Nf

il[EP>1i ,,1'>f3 ii: or. '!. orilel ,,1 ,,'lIFf 0' Bt!l iF~, fori! faB ie' 1'[00' ,,1 oul' iie' I t, 2. ft!Ff faB 0'1'1 o'~ i}'>!'1'1 &el Rat:! 0<11' 5e' "'tilt!' '>13 ";-,, ie' ";-,, cf<le' il'<.Ile' ~, i'i3 ~ issues O{~ Hii 0<.11' 9"'~~ "liJ1B I

:{o-q:{-:{H

OJ\! lis B ,,'Ff (1) R<.Io fR'UI B30l!cl (2) O'i! [RUI (3) R3 fi'rUl, 1!1'13'of~" (4) 3il l [RUI, flTSOl il~t!'o ~ '>f,PlO (5) R><I fi'rUi (6) orcl3Oo fRUl (»iOJaill) I

3'13

R'f<lS

78 20-12-24

FflH'"o, fla30 fl'f<.lS ill, it OJ. '!. ailel, AJ »iflj3Ao I ,!H fl11.!~ ill, H' ;'lea ,I'e Ail' '>I'1.!<!'l11 i il'aa B '>I'fc»i' fli il '>I;'l 30r a'<.Ia Hilt ~ iiii 0'B"' fFf'>1'<!' ><1 ~, 1.!a Bfa >ilea "r"B F1il<! '>1'1.! ~ lPR "'~H R~A ~ c<1 <l7i, ;'j fa fa/'l B '::!3'c:i'or <l7i fcR 8c1 H' .1 '>f'U~?~ ~~ f'1'>I'lO ~Hi il~a fll'>l'lO Clae' <Ii, (!<J fC<l <10 ;ifar CI'1?1 1;[<J 3 olB liil elo '>13 \l:ol'>1 i 3 H· lis ", Be"lo <Ii f~(!'fu H' fcCl >iifl1 aiie1 ihla <Ji filFf ?l 8J '>10/'8 3113 R'foa ,,1 m;!ol f<:a ac1 oraHf3'>f' ,,1 a lol' 3 iJilra i >HlOloi i;[l)fTa l (ill ~ ffla tla 381, .m 3 oa ~ \l:l)flo, »llf" gat! \l:'>1'CJl '10'1 101 ~ 10100i'fa'>1' filfl ,,1 ~'",;:r ~ illl t dO, HO, tlo ,!OWO 'H01 "jJ' 011:1' I Clrkl i HJla'il

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS

m' THe

AKAL! MOV£MF.~T

143

"I R'>iTH Rl'>!1I'H ~" aTO <lla fllfila ,,1 ilBol f'lil rH~IT 3 rev 'l: UTR 0I8 Tfa tit! ,,01 EoOircr -a,,1 OT "iii ael alH a l" 01 011,,1 "ill? I ClJo,,'lloT f!!H ~R' <"ii? ~ ill! ,,1 HOi!l H3 1faa <"i~ 1 . r.~ii 3a i ,,1 u'at11 OT <"ii?, faolJl<'i '>I'B't! Oilf'llel il'~ 1 feu omi ii "Hel ~ l,!al'>ii 0I0'~ 'l'R3 JjI'>!OIIH 3:lf3 wfila JjI ill\! ~ Rlf"a ,,1 <Jij!al f..il Iii!: 0113 1 Rl HC!J(j l>f"il UtI'Oi Ulij ii -Ula OIij~ OIel W0l3 1N1t! ao l\!, Hu'aiR ~ ,,>13 ft!HI~<! 3 ~t11 fail l OIal~~, fOlou'O '>I'll't! O/a'~<!l 3 i f'i3 cill OIot1'lt(jT f!!H -a asl 1;IIll 0' 10 f"il'a r3'>!'a;J Olel 5 1 r,m ~ OI"H OIt!H -3 as1»fi lJIel»ii mi, fER faa »iQRlij ;l fi'ao 5i?at l ~iJ KAl»i1 ,,1 3a' fcOlfcOll ;gaT, 'lla,,'l'a tia ~ uaau 3' r<'iOlH 1 HOI!> i OIHcl»ii Ea1ai ,,1 3a '>I'UR fiiitJ HOi;:rH' ,.,ill»i' 018' C!il7iOT1»ii feR wa fRHRH '" "fil" feot ot"tlf<J01 <i~atl I Roi;"l<J f~' f<l~ l;!RHH'('ji fi iii;" ~ 31fT,!, ~>1t!1 5, fR'l' ~ H,!' ~ ~f\ll>f' OIa0l1 1 ?Silt.!' feu ~at' tia H'fa'>i T ~ BT 3aeu ii Hat ~ f<Jil'e1»ii . Ulc<R Bi nit!<J <:11 R3 ~ Ha<'iai 1 'll<JB'lra f:Ga ~:l fR"U/ FilfiJ»i' B ;:fa' f~ij <"i<!<R 1 INIt!i B "'" Ii~, ii'l', BO BO 2HB Ha ftml ~f.lCi B liii-fue'=! f;:oo<ii fulji i) ~o! .=! U31'>1i, Wfll»ii, !!'el»il ~ aoaTt' ao~ »ill1o 3 R9 ~il" RoOiTO B <JfJH 3 -til' ill:!'i51 H1e if at~ <"ieai, 31 Hi/ fi/~i f'l"tl ~ai "roi OI'fe'>l' i/ooai : oti 0';1 i; alB1 au'~ Ol~ R1. 'lfaB'llij 'l1 R'a liil' '>I'e 1 1N1B1liO ;110 ecT nl illNt!l. c~ ~i/ij i/a il3 " f;»i' »i'~ I ;13 f'ltl I'll ~fH'>fI . liO 1N1"', ffiel 1JIc! <fa BIl' '>I'e 1 'Io1,>!i Bli ~aarol ~ ~CIJ <J<:IT Rl, '>IIi!! flat .=! ;J13 CIJ'l' "FE I - . .

_ ..

,l'cm

R Acl ijijTol ,,1 ael ij" ,,<11' af5,,1 tit! H' feu B>1t!' iJi fot wa' ~ 5" ~ fe<"i ft=liJ' f!!H ii!:l fBR fiiitJ HooH i/Hel B H'ao fOli ~ <i~, i/tl Q ..11 UIC otoo ", iiel '>Iflli/'o Oilf ~01T, If,lIQi!(,;jar.t.rfC'<) i/Hel I:!' il'aa fOiii 50 ilHcl "I il'ao Oill' <i~o".8i/H OIiiil'>!' '" il'ao 0il1' <ii?C!J1.8otH i/i.lcl»fi~ fi'ao l;!ioa <:I€ r.r~' feQ' feot iJ.[O€"'lla 'l'R3 »l'il' "f~ ~ "il1c<ii, feQ' Hi/H otiiil '" il'ao ~l "Oliic1 '" ihlo Oill' i!~011, flT01»fi i/iiil»fi t!1 ilc flOaro oto'eml, ~c f'lij ka'; '" ;:fi/ ~RH B ~eo; "{j <"i~i'!ll, "3

141

SOME COXFIDENIIA L P APE R S OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

filUIChf i ~- ~ B' <I'! odl' 5~hJlf, l'!'iill "Hel '" o'H . I'!. 'lifel oilr 5~' , ~<!1 O1ifel ?i 50m O1ifcl'>fi .! 3~0 aO'l!:c BT <101 oul' 5~OTT, il!CJ~'fCJl)fi i:!ll>f'HBo, \lilT, Ho1'o, (3'OTCJ 3' fl'!~E 5a f"il ~H 3 lIatj oill' ;j~ar, ii1 <l<!l ii1 ~l'>fi flTa1'>f i O1Kel»fi f<!Cl O1tjfaol .! HTaf<r3 ~OT1»ti I f<!<J flY '!5' ~11 fI .H~ f~e ;la HOo B 50 '!~ m:lCl oill' '>f'~rB' I f<!<J fifo1 '>f<lTBl BC5 3 ii: aHel f~ lIC' Bcl aT f01 €Ie! ~ ell<O' OT aa I BTl'!, 3ilT rAw '!¥'C', 'lO·9~-~8

79 Confidential. Khalsa College, 20·12·24. Dear Mr. Emerson, The problem for the Sikh members is to have the bill accepted by all seotions of the Sikhs and have no open ings for the turbulent one to ply its trade. Perhaps you do not know that apart from the Gurdwara funds. S. G. p, C. has got other funds that run Into lacs, The Nankana Shahidi fund alone amounts to something like two laos. Then apart from the Gurdwaras In the Punjab which will come under the Act, there are other Gurdwaras outside Punjab that are under the control of the S, G, p, C. If we could name the new Central organisation S, G. P. C., all these funds and places might be transferred to It, otherwise even If they hand over the Gurdwaras in the Punjab . peacefully the Act will have no power to compel them to hand over to the new body other funds and property that apart from the Gurdwara property stand in the name of the S. G. p, C. That could only be done by consent. It was With this end In view that we wanted the old name to be retained. For if such a vast amount of money and valuable property again fell into undesirable hands, It might be used for purposes other than those mentioned in the bill'

SOME CONFlDEKT I AL P APERS OF THE AlULI

M OVE~JEN T

14;

Again our object is not only to have the bill passed but to see it worked out . With the old name we might be able to induce the old body to hand over charge of all its funds voluntarily. Think of the Immense advantage that such a !tep would give to those who want to restore normal relations between the Community and the Govt . hope you will ponder over the matter from this point of view and agree to the name. or if you so desire we could wait upon H. E. and explain the whole situation to him.

By th e way have you any objection to my taking with me to the fort some outside members of the S. G. P. C. and have the whole bill discussed in one or tWO sittings? In previous negotiations It was allowed and expedited decisions. If you agree you may kindly send me a permit allowing some 7 or 5 outside members to visit those inside to discuss the bil l. The time should be (rom 10 A. M. to 5 P. M. Yours sincerely. Jadh Singh.

80 Office of Deputy Commissioner. Lahore. 22nd December, 1924. Dear Sardar Sah ib, Many thanks for your letter dated 20th of December. In the last paragraph of your letter you asked (or a permit for five or seven outsIde members to visit the underÂˇtrial prisoners in the fort to discuss the draft Bill. I have sent a telephone message to you about this through Captain De La Fargue, Political ASSistant. Amrit,ar. but In ca'e you have not got It, will you please let me know as soon as possible the names o( the members whom you wish to take Into the Fort. 2. Earlier In the letter you suggested that the Sub-Committee should wait upon His Excellency and explain to him the si tuation regarding the name of the Central Board. My instructions on

146

SOME CONF IDENTIAL PAPERS OF TilE AKA LI

~l O V E ME~ T

this point were quite clear, and I do not think that anything Is to be gained by further discussion. The difficulties you mention In your letter

can J I think, be easily

overcome If the

Sikhs are genuinely anxious for solution of the Gurdwara problem whatever name be given to the Central Board. Yours sincerely, H. W. Emerson. To Sardar Jodh Singh, M. A., M. L. e, Professor, Khalsa College, Amritsar.

81 Office of Deputy Commissioner, Lahore, 23rd December, 1924. Dear Sardar Sahib, I have now obtained the orders of G~vernment regarding the grant of permission to certa in persons to visit the underÂˇ trial prisoners in the fort. Government, as you know, hiS put definite restrictions on Interviews and It is prepared to relax these only for very special reaSons. These reasons have to be very strong indeed to justify a relaxation of the rules In favour of persons who Indude several members of the present working Committee of the S. G. P. e and Government does not consider that the reasons exist In th'e present Instance. It has allowed liberal facilities to the Sikh Members of Council to visit the Fort in connection with the discussion of the Draft Bill and as presumably the Sikh Members are In touch with other interested parties, it considers that these facilit ies should be sufficient. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to give the necessary permission. Yours sincerely, H. W. Emerson. To Sardar Jodh Singh, Professor, Khalsa College, Amrluar.

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

147

82 Khalsa College. Amritsar,

Dated 27th December, 1924.

Confiden tial

Dear Sardar Sahib. My Idea is that we should discuss the Bill with gentlemen in Lahore Fort Jail on the 29th so as to have a definite Idea of their opinion on the whole Bill. Kindly make it convenient to come to the Fort between 10 and 10. 30. A. M. on Monday the 29th. Do come because the larger the number the more impressive will be our opinion. Yours sincerely, Jodh Singh. M. A., M. L. C. I. S. Gurbax Singh 2. S. Narain Singh 3. S. Tara Singh 4. S. Mangal Singh.

83 Khalsa College, Amritsar.

I. I. 25. Dear Mr. Emerson, The SubÂˇCommittee met at Amrltsar today and all members except S. Mangal Singh attended. After a good deal of thoughtful consideration we came to the conclusion that we would wait upon his Excellency to explain the whole situation and then proceed with the bill. We hope you have no objection to this procedure. Rather we expect you to kindly arrange for the interview as soon as possible. Yours sincerely, Jodh Singh.

143 SOME CONFlDNETI AL rArER5 0F THE A K A-I.! MOVEMENT

84 Deputy Commissioner' s Office, Lahore, 2nd January, 1925. Dear Sardar Sahib, Your letter dated the 1st January 1925. It does not contain an assurance that the idea of giving to the Central Board the name of S. G. P. C. In the Bill has been definitely dropped by your sub路committee and until this point Is left free of doubt it Will, of course, not be possible to continue the discussion of the Bill. If the name S. G. P. C., has been dropped we can finish the discussion of the draft bill and If the Sub路Committee on the one hand and Mr. Puckle and mysel f on the othe r, come to .n agreement, the Sikh members of the council will be given an opportunity of dis路 cussing the proposed Bill with Government and of explaining any difficulties they may apprehend. But, until such a preliminary agreement has been reached , the time is not ripe for the ' Interview with H. E. the Governor which you ask and I regret therefore that I am unable to arrange for one. I should be glad If you would let me know whether the Sub路Committee wishes the discussion of the draft bill to continue on the assurance regard ing the name of the Central Board which I have mentioned above. Yours Sincerely, H. W. Emerson.

To Professor Jodh Singh, Khalsa College, Amritsar.

85 Confidential Dear Mr. Emerson, On the 5th when

9th January, 1925,

I saw

you

personally

Lahore,

SOME CO NFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKAL t 110 V EME!'T 149

explained to you that if the new Central Board w.. allowed to choose its own name we were prepared to drop the Idea of calling it S. G. P. C. in the bill. I hope you have consulted the Government by this time and will let me know the result of that consultation. Yours sincerely. Jodh Singh.

86 9th January, 1925.

Confidential

Dear Mr. Craik, The proposals that I gave to you on the 6th and about which we had a talk on the phone this morning are designed to remove all the existing causes of trouble and to restore those relations between the Sikhs and th e Govt . which obtained before this trouble started. They should in no way be taken as attempts to haggle or understood to mean that som" body was offering concessions. His Excellency when Home Member said in the Assembly that the Govt. was extending its hand it was for the Sikhs to grasp it. Now jf the Sikhs realizing in what theit true interests lay came forward, why should the move be not construed in its true light 1 I hope you will look at the proposals from .this point of view. Yours sincer<ly, Jodh Singh.

87 Deputy Commissioner's Office, lahore District. Dated 14.1Âˇ1925. Dear Sardar Sahib, You r letter dated 9th January. The question Is under the consideration of Govt. and 1 will let you know its decision in due course, Yours sincerely, H. W. Emerson.

150 SO~iE CO" 1'1 DE :-I [ UL P.~PER5 0 1' THE AKA LI MOVEMEN T

88 Khalsa College,

Amritsar. Dated 15-2-1925_ Dear Mr. Emerson, Will you kindly let me know if you had any talk with Mr. Craik after our talk over the phone and what was the result. I need not emphasise that I am ve ry anxious that the Gurdwara Bill shou ld come before the Counc il during the Budget Session, as was also suggested by you . The S. G. P. C wish , if possi ble , to con sult their members In the various prisons about the Bill. Cou ld Govt. permit S. Arian Singh of Ihe S. G. P. C. to visit those in Lahore Fort, Hianwall, D. G. Khan and Hu ltan Jails ; I personally think there Is no ban on S. Arj.n Singh vi sit ing t hem. Vours sincerely, Jodh Singh .

89 To The Secretary Sikh Council Party, Amrits.r. Dear Sir,

I am d.i rected by my committee to inform you that Sardar Tara Singh H. L. C., should be put In charge of the Gurdwara Bill. Yours faithfully, Secretary, Shromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

No. 3156, Amrltsar. The 10th March, 1925.

SO~lE.

CON l'IDE:\TIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MO VE"ENT

Secret

131

Office of the Sik h Council Party, Amrltsar.

My dear Sardar JI , I herewith enclose a copy of draft Gurdwara Bill with a copy of confidential letter received from Mr. Craik. I am sending the draft per special messenger so that it may reach you as soon as possible. Now that It has been put In the legal form, the lawyer members of the Sub-Committee should go through it very carefully so that In the next meeting with the Government we may press for the changes thai we want. I may add that going through the draft hastily I find that most of the changes agreed upon In our lost meeting with Messrs Puckle and Emerson have not been Incorporated . You Will, I hope, as advised by Mr. Craik, take special care that the draft does not leak out. Yours sincerely,

Sd l Jodh Singh. M. A., M. L. C., Secretary_ Khalsa Coliee, D/ March, 29, 1925.

91 Punjab Civil SeCretariat, Lahore. 3rd April, 1925. Dear Sir, His Excellency the Governor has agreed to see the Sikh members of the Legislative Council who acted a$ a Sub-Committee for the purpose of drafting a Gurdwara Bill on Monday the 6th of April at 2.30 P.M. The meeting will be held In His Excellency's room In Âˇthe Council Chamber building. Yours faithfully , H. W. Cra lk. S. Jodh Singh, M. L. C., Khalsa College, Amrltsar.

152

SOME CONFlDs:nAL PAP"RS OF TH!l .\K\LI W)VEM!lNT

92 Part of a repre.lent.tion by th e Chief Khal .. a D iwan . Amritsar . .. â&#x20AC;˘.. themselves to Reform the Gurdwaras when they were practically assured that the Government policy of non-Interference in such matters had allowed them to so assort their opinion as to bring about the desirable change in the administration of Gurdwaras. Be that as it may it can not be correct to say that the Sikhs who are now undergoing their trials and have been convicted in connection with this movement had any Intent to commit offences under the Penal Law. They have already assured Government and the assurance may be repeated here that they were Innocent of any criminal intent and do not intend to overstep the limits of constitutional reform. Though it is not intended to discuss Individual cases here. It may be mentioned that the Government Prosecutor has declined to produce In Court five witnesses who were admittedly present on the occasion and were cited as witnesses in the Police Challan In the case known as the Chandar-Kot case on the ground that they were not likely to support the version placed by the prosecution before the Court which the Sikhs believe to be false. Similarly In the Manak case an attempt has been made to make up a case of conspiracy which really did not exist. An entirely different course was and is being adopted in the case of Nankana Sahib Massacre and the Inference thought not intended by Government Is obvious. It Is therefore necessary that in order to restore the confidence of the public His Excellency may be pleased to order release of the Sikhs now in Jail in connection with this movement. The Government has already adopted the course of releasing Political prisoners on assurances of nonÂˇviolent methods for the future. The Sikhs fail to understand why a different method should be meted out to them in the Gurdwara cases in which persons concerned acted under noble impulse. The Dewan is of opinion that Legislation embodying the follow. ing principles and reform will go a long way to Set at rest the perturbed feelings of the community:-

SO ME CONFIDENTIAL P APERS OF THE AKALI MOVE ME)lT

153

(I )AII Incumbants ... of Gurdwaras should hold office only as long as they manta In a high standard of. personal character and should be removable Without recourse to the present cumbersome proceed"ure in case of misconduct. misfeasance

(2)

(3)

(4) (5) (6) (7)

or malfeasance of duty. The properties attached or belonging to Gurdwaras should in no account be treated as personal or private estates. Accounts of all sorts of Incomes and revenues of Gurdwaras should be regularly kept ,periodically audited and published, and otherwise be open to inspection . Each Gurdwara should be controlled by a Comm ittee of Sikhs elected by the community. The Funds of the Gurdwaras should be spent only on the objects for which the trusts exist. Worship and religious services should be carried on in accordance with the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib. A Special Tribunal composed of Sikhs be established to decide .ny disputes that may arise, and an appeal against the ir decisions in cases of dispute about title to property may b. made to the High Court.

Another source of Irr;tatlon exists In the cases where Sikhs are

being prosecuted, whether in substance or In form. for wearing Klrpans. The term Kirpan is translated and defined in all Hindi and Sanskrit dictionaries and also by writers on the Sikh History and Religion like Cunningham and Macaullff as sword. No particular length Is fixed either in the Sikh literature or In the LaN as It now stands. Yet arrests and prosecutions for possession of Kirpan have taken place. It may be mentioned In passing that it Is practically only In two districts of Lahore and Amrltsar where such prosecutions are going on, and people who are apparently qUite safe when carrying their Klrpans In other districts are arrested as soon as they enter these two districts. This Is a state of affairs which will not, It Is hoped, be permitted any longer by Government.

154

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPFJ1 S (F H i E AKA!! MOYEM EKT

Th e other questions, which have alse contributed considerable to bring about the present tension of feelings between the Government and the Sikhs Includ the representation of the community in the Civil Administration, Legislative, Judicial and Executive. It is tr<Jsted that wh en next occasion for revision of the Rules under the

Governm , nt of India Act arlses,Government will be pleased to cons . It the Sik~ public bodies and so revise the Rules as to place the community on a level with other important minorities. As regards representation of the community In the Civil Administration, a

separate representation has already been addressed [0 the Govern .. m. nt by the Dewan and by the Sikh Members of the Punjab Legislative Council.

Harbans Singh of Aur I Bahadur Singh, Honorary Captain Jodh Singh. M. A. Daswandha Singh Sewa Ram Singh Amar Singh Hukam Singh Mehtab Singh.

93 Office of the Sikh Council Parcy , Lahore. D/7th ApI. 1925. Dear Sardar Ji, The final discussion of the Draft Gurdwara Bill with the Government is over today. The application for permission of the Governor-General to Introduce the Bill In beginning of the May session must be presented on 13th of April, 1925 at the latest without fall. The Sub Committee earnestly requests all the Sikh members to approve the Draft before it Is sent to the Government of India. I therefore request you to attend an urgent meeting of the Party at Akal Takht Amritsar on the 10th of April at 10 A. M. sharp. Please do attend because

SOME CO)lFIDE)lTlAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMEl"T

i55

if there Is no quorum of the general meeting, the Sub Committee will have no other option left but to proceed with the business so as to be able to Introduce the Bill in the next session.

Yours sincerely. Jcdh Singh.

M. A., M. L. C. P. S. You must have received a telegram also the notice of the meeting.

containing

94 Proceedings of the Party meeting held at Akal Takht on 10.4.25 at 10. 30 A. M.

Present I. S. Gurbakhash Singh ... ... in the chair 2. S. Narain Singh 3. S. Partap Singh 4. S. Tara Singh S. S. Mohlnder Singh 6. S. Jodh Singh. (I) The bill as drafted by the Sub Committee was placed before the meeting and the Party approved of the draft. (2) S. Narain Singh proposed that the S. G. P. C. may be asked to decide the name of the member who should take charge of the Bill. (3) That the bill be formally sent to the S. G. P. C. Resolved by majority of the Sub Committee that S. Narain Singh be In charge of the Bill and he is to do all the work from today onward. Jodh Singh Gurbaksh Sinth Naraln Singh. The sub committee was never given a notice to meet. S. Mangal Singh is absent. Moreover this Committee can't decide

156

S O ~[E

COl\F IDENTlAL PAP ERS OF TI lE AK .' Ll MOVEMENT

as it Is beyond its jurisdiction to decide as to who should Introduce It. Thls ...... to draft the Bill and ...â&#x20AC;˘. to the Council Party for final conslderotion. It is the function of the Council Party to decide this question. These three gentlemen who are signing it are doing It by force and over-riding the powers of the Council Party. If this is to go on. I will certainly resign the membership of this Committee. Tara Singh.

95 Amritsar, 10th April. I92S . Dear Mr. Craik. Sardar Tara Singh. M. L. C .. will sign the will be in charge of the bill on our behalf.

appl ication and

Yours sincerely. Jodh Singh . Secretary I Sikh Council. Party.

96 Copy. 27 or 28th June. 1925. Dear Sardar Sahib. You will no doubt have seen that protests are being made with regard to the Inclusion in schedule I of the Sikh Gurdwara bill of Shahid Ganj of Bhai Taru Singh Gurdwara (No.7 in the ammended schedule I) on the ground that the place or part of it is really a mosque. The Deputy Commissioner has been asked to report. In the meantime I am desired to request you to let me have all deta ils in your possession with regard to the history and circumstances of this Gurdwara. J. G. Beazley. Sardar Tara Singh, M. L. C.

SO~IE COX FI DEN TlAL PAT'E RS OF T HE AKA).I M() VE ~l E :-: T

1; 7

97 Moga, 29.6. 1925.

De.r Brother, I enclose herewith a copy of the letter I have received today from Mr. Beazlay. You are requested to ma ke full preparation and collect all the necessary judicial and non-judicial documents and other materials in support of our contention. All the civil judgments In our favour must be obtained and supplied to me on 3rd Jul y when I have to satisfy Mian Sahib in an Info'rmal meeting . I hope it will be treated as most urgent. Yours since rel y, Tara Singh. M. L. C. Dear Master ji, You will please kindly hand the letter over to S. Ar jan Singh so that he may do the needful. I am leaving for Simla on the 1st July. Yours sincerely, Tara Singh, To Master Daulat Singh.

98 Working of Gurdwara Bi ll I. Mr. Petman saw H.E. the Governor on Saturday last (July II , 1925) ~t 3 P.M. H.E. accepted that (I) Th ere should be a single local Committee for compact areas like one city as Lahore. etc" or one town or village like Khadur Sahib, Guru-ka-Bagh (Now Ajnala) or Goindwal Sahib, etc_ Also one committee for an area where severa l gurdwaras are in close proxi mity like An.ndpur Sahib and Klratpur Sah ib, etc. on th is principle other gurdwaras also to be brought under single Committee on the recommendation of the Central Board_

II. H_ E. agreed that If Mahants do'nt furnish lists of property of gurdwaras In schedule A within 90 days of the passing of the Act, then the Gurdwaras' na mes should not be cut off from

158

SOME CO NFlfJEN TI AL PAPER.; OF TH E A[(A L I MOV IiliNT

schedule A and that other persons and bodies interested should be given an opportunity to do so. III. H. E. was very sympathetic and said that no sooner the question was settled and the S.G.P.c. showed an incl ination to work the Bill , then the Govern ment would li ke to inc rease Its prest ige and strength. IV. H.E. was favourably incl ined to gurdwa ras 211 over the world being affiliated under the S.G.P C . â&#x20AC;˘ nd itS controlling all the Panthic activities in constitutionJI ways.

H.E. gave no promise but rem.rked that after all what was

in a name i f there was an honest effort on

both sides to effect a

reconc iliation, and al so said the ir d id not seem to be any apparent objection to their choosing their own nam e (Thi s refers to the proposal that the general committee of the first Board may choose its name). VI. H.E. said that he knew the Sudhar people and what they were but as long as the reasonable and reconcilable people did not detach themselves from irreconcllables who want to turn us OUt from India and ore not prepared to give-and Âˇtake terms, we have to use some people as statesmen and can' t sit with eyes and hands closed allowing the things to drift and become worse than they are. (N.B. The above Is simply for your information so that the committee members may be forewarned of the situation).

99 Wor king, The Gurdwara Bill, 14-7-1925. From the Secretary, the Shiromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Am,itsar. To Sa,dar Tara Singh , M.L.C. , Moga. Am,lts." Dated 14th Jully, 1925. Sir, We the undersigned

six members who have been

fully

SOMF. CO~FlDEN TI A L PAPERS OF THE AI<AL I MOVEME!iT

,,9

authorised by the Executive Comm ittee of the S.G.P.C. to take all po!S ible steps to secure the uncond itional re lease of Sik h prisoners . hereby in wr iting give the assurance on behalf of the executive Committee to Sardars Tara Singh and Jodh Singh that in case the Governme nt agrees to release Sikh p risoners without tak ing Individual undertaking. we will secure the passage of a resolution in the s .G.P.C, to the effect that s.G .P.C. w ill work out the Gurdwara Bill. And In persuance of that policy the despatch of jathas to Bh.i Pheru will be discont inued. Arjan Singh Bishan Singh Dharam Singh Mangal Singh Hazara Singh (Urdu) Harbans Singh s istani (Urdu) Most confidential. Please note that none of you "the Committee

Members"

should ever refer to any conversation between Governor and Petman

in any o f the conferences with officials, else a grea t ha rm will result. They should keep In mind but not refer at all.

100 The Gurdwara Bill Working of. ( Fro m Inside the lahore Fort) Sunday

12.7.25. No. I Extract from sardar S. B. S. Mehtab Singh's diary. sardars Jodh Singh, Tara Singh, Mahlndar Singh. Naraln Singh, Boota Singh, Dhlra Singh, Partap Singh, Gurbax Singh, Harchand Singh with Sardars Mangal Singh , Arlan Singh, Harbans Singh, Daulat Singh, Hlra Singh !;lard, Amar Singh of Jhabal came and had a long conference. The consensus of opinIon was to stop direct act ion and to work the Bill. To demonstrate

lilO

SO ME CO,,!'IDE )': TIAJ , PAPERS OF 1 11£ A IC\ L I MOV EME;\T

that, to stop sending lath2S to Bhal Pheru ·and Jaito, to start Akhand Path at lalto. oppose signing individual undertaking by prisoners and to prepare the Government to take S. G. P. C. assurance that the Bill shall be worked and direct action stopped. Tuesday

14.7. 25. MI', Langley, Commissioner, Lahore Division, paid a visit and

had half an hour's conversation with me mainly about sign ing the undertaking. I showed him my typed note and he .greed with me

that

such

course

may

humiliate

the well·wishers and

supporters of the Bill and injure the law. He said what guarantee was there that we shall not repudiate If the outside S. G. P. C. decided to work the Bill. I replied that we have assured them of our support in writing and shall do so again if need be. He prom ised to speak to His Excellency. He said the object was to keep only those In jail who apart from the Gurdwara Bill wanted to stir up feelings hostile to the Government and retard a rapprochement and reconciliation. He was pleased to hear that the S. G. P. C. will work the Bill and stop jathas to Bhai Pheru and Jaito. He was sympathetic throughout, but said that his visit was private altogether. He said he shall Immediately convey my views to H. E. the Governor for favourable consideration.

Saturday

18.7.25. Ral Bahadur Jawala Parshad Prosecution Counsel told me that Mr. langley had celled him on Wednesday last. I. e., 15th and had a lengthy talk with him regarding the sltuati~n that had arisen on akali leaders' refusal to sign an undertaking. He said he had given an opinion entirely In our favour. It was also stated that D. C. and Superintendent of Pollee Amritsar were with Mr. Langley. It is rumoured thot D. C. Is not favourable to the condition being signed and thinks a verbal assurance qUite enough.

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CONFIDENlIAL PAPERS OF THE AI{ALl MOVEMENT

161

Saturday

18.7.25 Mr. Ogil lve, Deputy CommiSSioner, lahore, had an hour', conversation with me out of which half an hour with Captain Ram Singh and me both. He cross-examined me regarding our intentions and prospects of winning the election. He expressed a fear that non-co-operators, if released, will join the Gargaj party and injure the ,cause of the Bill and a rapprochement. I assured him that they shall not join the GargaJ party. We ,hall have a majority and the non-co-operators will ect . oppose our working the Bill. He was under the impressio n that S. G. P. C. being "unlawful " may stand In the way of Government's accepting and acting on Its assurance. To which I replied that the ban may be removed. He smilingly remarked something abo~t two knots being loosened by one .. . ... He assured me that the object of Government was not to humiliate the supportors of the Bill. I replied that It must be so, but effect of the undertaking would be our humiliation . He asked, was there a method by which we could go out and yet those who were hostile to Government apart from Gurdwara reform, remain in jail 1 I told him that by our going out the gigantiC conspiracy case against half a dozen non-co-opera~ors for depriving His Majesty the King Emperor of his fndlan sovereignty would look ridiculous. ff there was a conviction, It woufd be unfair to us who would not have been heard and yet the . verdict against us would be there. He was very friendly and sympathetic and on feav ing remarked we shall soon be outside jail. He complained that In spite of the passage of the Bill, jathas to Bhal Pheru continued. Captain Ram Singh Impressed on him that by detaining non-co-operators in Jail Government would make them feaders and fower us in the eyes of the public. I have been offered a release on signing an undertaking to support the Bill or, in other words, to reform the Gurdwaras In accordance with the Provisions of the new Reform faw known as the Sikh Gurdwara Act. fn this case about twenty of public speeches and my correspondence and conversations with the

I6Z

SO ME CONFIDENTIAL PAPEI'S OF"T EE .-\ I'A LI MO VEM EI\ T

Government officials are before the court. They show In unequivocal terms that I have been a staunch advocate throughout of the passage of a reform law and a rapprochement between the Government and the Sikhs. The sacrifices made and sufferings borne by the Sikhs were not in a spirit of levity and bravado but with the genuine desire of saving the Gurdwaras from the admittedly defective law and to get a fair and workable law enacted. This has now been done. The new law Is nOt an Ideal one but Is as fair a measure as could be expected under the circumstances. I have watched It step by step and strongly supported It. By energetically working It and Improving It from time to time as need arises. it can fully fulfil the 2.spirations of the reformers.

So far as I am concerned, .there~

fore. there would neither be occasions nor need for any Sikh to oppose any law to carry out and complete the reform of the Gurdwaras. Now arises the question of sign ing the undertak ing reqUired by the authorities as a condition of my release. Suppose I agree to It being a staunch supporter of the law. I can not stand apart but must lend a helping hand In getting it accepted and worked by my community. No sooner I open my mouth and utter. word In its favour than there will arise a voice from the audience: "Mehtab Singh you have no doubt made sacrifices and borne sufferings In the cause of the reform but in supporting the Bill you are carrying out the condition of your release, let a disinterested person advise us."

What would be the position then! I would be unnecessarily humiliated and my support will do harm to the Bill. Thus by Signing the undertaking I do not help the cause of rapprochement between the Government and the Sikhs but do harm to the Bill and to my self-respect. After deep dileberations I have made my choice. At least for the present I do not sign the undertaking and remain In jail as long as the Court chooses to keep me there or the crown considers that my going out will retard the Bill or bringing about a rapprochement and a reconciliation between the Govern-

SOME COKFI1)ENTIAL P APE RS OF THE AKALI MOVEME NT

163

ment and the Sikhs. If. however, at any t ime the Sharomanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee considers that such a sacrlfic of human dignity and self-respect Is required fo r the welfare of the community, I shall submit once more and carry out Its des ire. I may .. y that this Is a delicate matter and everyone has

consulted

consider

his

none of my

own

opinIon

,and

circumstances.

colleagues and co-accused.

This

I have

own individual , personal op inion and binds no one else.

. 101

l.IaH faau'oo

Mehtab Singh , 19th July, 1925.

,a,

efe <>'0 iiOl »l'\.( tll -el il,<' f'<ii IIfoHo a031 ~ for '1'l tloo'el «'81 Hlf?OI B f<lB f!\HTO II: Hor8 fFIUI tll '>13 ~"ii B l1'<m0l R'lll'>1l is, fgo' faR -el fa?; -e, 1!3 <:11 '>Iltoi '>I'\.( feo \.(oOic 0/131 III fO( foo l el -e l:!3"8a lIaa'o ?i: fa8 llo«'o 0(ij0 ,,1 fc\1f3 iR! «ii' i'i ale;,l ael R'tre B?or ~o fo<:l'fe3 ulll-e' a\ll tl~oil \.(0 ii~ <lis gO( 0'8 fe<:! 1f'~1{ "5fe»l' ;:, fO( feR aT8 ~1I0 '>1118 0<:11' 0113' fOl'>l', !;mfa fl!"ii'"31C1 fO( lIaf80r f<ltl "8O(i3a' 3 »I\jaliji ,,'<'0' o'e -e' fllH<J:!!" <1183 fet.!o'O or13' f<ll'>l' ~ I filII ~\.(o iii; IIlf3 fe3<:1'tl ~ I fell 8el Hill '>IOt!'R ~ fa lllUia 3' lllUia f10t »I\ja~ai ~'>I'a' Ri:l't!1 UOOIC m31 tl,;i1 '>f3 5ai3oT ~»l'o' yl ~ iI'~ , 0<:11' "3' fuR -e f'<<Ill iiel ~I{ "5 iI'e ~o faR ~\.(a ell 0<:11' ii;i1<11' I 118fa feR -el fiDl'<'ol :aT83-~<JHl ~8'e '<'8 Rile -e ill fRO "5;i1i!11 I »I'll ill B' B'R, ~"a fffUi 0Jl18B'O,

if;

tii

102

~"-"-'lll.

( From inside Labore Fort) My

Objection of S. Bhag Singh Vakeel objections to the draft proposed to be sent to

the

164

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE Al<ALl MOVI MENT

S. G. P. C. and as shown to me on 24th July. 1925.

(I) I consider the joint note signed and sent by some 25 of us to the S. G. P. C. stili binding upon me. The decision contained therein has not been cancelled by signatories and therefore any suegestlon on their part to the S. G. P. C. are precluded by It. (2) The (ase would have been otherwise. had the S. G. P. C. asked us to make any suggestions. But even this demand Is lacking and this coupled With the fact that we do as Indefinitely of the wishes of hundreds of our brothers Imprisoned In the same cause with us and In the absence of definite knowledge what would be their attitude or lot If we go out by making the proposed declaration. I regret the action as' unbecoming. ungenerous and quite uncalled for. (3) The S. G. P. C. cannot be supposed to be sitting Idle and forgetful of Its responsibilities. The sending of the proposed draft would not only hurt their feelings but on the other hand seriously embarrass them to give any independent. unprejudiced and free guidance to the Panth. (4) As the Draft is to be approved of by the Governor and to be acted upon if met with his approval and he agreed to release us on its ba:5.is, I fail to see how this ceases to be a condition of our release.

(5) I think that we are trying to throw dust Into the eyes of our people when we put In the declaration-when the fact Is quite evident as evidenced by the purport. occasion and need of the set declaration-that It Is solely for the benefit of our community that we declare that the Bill should be worked. This declaration has entire an'd sole connection with our release. If It Is meant only to advise the Panth to work the Bill. we have given our opinion already to the S. G. p. C .â&#x20AC;˘ and through It to the community. The court Is not the happy place where confronted with the terms of our release to be reminded of our duty to offer this benevolent advise to those outside. I consider such action as unworthy of the representatives of our great community.

EOME CO!<FIIENTI AL PAPERS OF THE AKA1-I MOVEME " T

165

(6) I understand that pressure is being brought upon the Governor to release us unconditionally. let us walt for the result and refrain from weakening Its effect by any other via media proposals on the part of those immediately concerned. (7). If It is pleaded that we should not waste any time, my reply Is that this is the time when patience and tact are urgently needed and haste wouldÂˇ only spoil matters by denoting our nervousness to the shrewd Government.

(8) It is a no hidden secret that the Government is resolved to detain those persons In jail who happen not to be In a position to support the Bill. There Is a large number amongst us who want to work the Bill and yet are not prepared to leave behind those who have worked and suffered with us by furnishing the Government with any means to distinguish between the supporters and non-supporters of the Bili, and thus unconsc iously becoming a cause of their trouble. By the proposed declaratio" we supply the means to the Government and this is injurious to us on Panthic and sentimental grounds.

(9) I am convinced if the S. G. P. C. declares in favour of the working of the Bill, begins preparing the ground In right earnest for it, gives up morchas altogether and tries by press, platform and other legitimate and dignified means to bring pressure upon the government to release us unconditionallr, the Government cannot hold out in Its unreasonable course for a very long time.

(10) We have urged all those arguments and asked the signatories of the proposed declaration to wait for ' 2 or 3 months more , to allow the forces briefly outlined in Para 7 to bear upon the Government and which we are convinced shall have the desired effect. Bhag Singh,

loti

SO:"l E CO :S l- IIJE:\ T LAL PAPE RS OF THE A r\ AL ) NOVE}'1F.);T

103 Bill. 25. 7. 1925.

(From inside Lahore Fort) Letter of S. Gurcharan Singh and others to S. Mangal Singh. Sardar Mangal Singh President.

S. G. P. C. Sir,

A statement signed by 19 persons has been sent to you as a suggestion to the S. G. P. C. for approval. The other 17 persons have refused to s ign it deliberately. and have after much thought come to the conclusion that they will remain in jail In spite of some of them personally hold ing view that the Sikh Gurdwara Act should be worked by Sikh commun ity despite ies defects. Why the other 17 persons have decided not to sign the document intended to be read out in

approval of the S. G. P. C. and the from the facts set forth be low :Âˇ

Governor

court after the

will

clear

(I ) To make such a statement in co urt when confronted with terms of release on the basis of previous understand ing with the Gove rnor and followed immediately by withdrawal of the case against those only who support such a statement expreÂˇ ssly or impliedly cannot but amount very clearly and precisely to a conditional release. (2) Even to make such a suggestion to the S. G. P. C. now when the whole Panth has committed Itself through definite resolut ions to the policy of condemnation of conditional release cannot be taken to mean anything else but embarrass the whole community and make Its position entirely awkward at this critical juncture.

(3) There would be nothing to guarantee the unconditional release 'of Akalls detained in other Punjab jails when about

SO ~lli CON fI J)E~T IAL

PAPERS OF THE i\ IC\Lt

M. O VÂŁ).l ~X T

167

half of Us go out on a conditional release of this nature. Thus there Will be a great chance of Gove rnment's attitude being very strict on

account

conduct on the other jails. (4)

apprising

of our weakness .

part of 19 persons will

demoralize

It is very likely that the Governor will

Such a

Akalis in

have himself

arrived at the decision of un ~conditional release of all under the

pressure of Sikh public opinion but for the attitude taken up by our friends. So much haste and want of patience will spoil our cause,

(5) S. Teja Singh Samundri gave a suggestion to the representatives of those 19 persons to the effect that they should wait for two or three months meanwhile the S. G. P. C. shaul" issue immediately a declaration that the S. G. Act will be worked by the Sikh community in right earnest. Then as soon as the Central Board is constituted , the ban of unlawful bodies shall be removed from the S. G. p, C . and S. A. Dal. Then Government's position In keeping the Akali prisoners In jail shall ipso facto become untenable.

Even If government does not release

us then ,

the steps they are taking now can without any disadvantage be taken by them at that time . But they do not appear to have taken this suggestion to heart and have regarded it in the light of a condition from the opposite party to be replied with other unnecessary stipulations enamating from them, though it was merely a good suggestion to save them from the awkward position, they were putting themselves In, for the benefit of the whole Sikh community. (6) Consequently the step taken by these 19 persons is very dangerous to the welfare of our community. It will create a split in our camp. Government's hand will be strengthened to crush us. Now is the time for the S.G,P.C. and S.A.D. to save the situation by caking a deliberate and firm attitude. Gurcharan Singh and oth ers. 25Âˇ7-25.

If8

SOME CONFIDEN TIAL PAPERS OF TH E AKA LI MOVEMENT

103 A 25·7-1925.

(From inside Lahore Fort)

ofi5' Il: 3il' fll'ur ill mi;;!al e ;;!RJ:f3i ;jot ).13 ;'j 9... qAc:l ?;= "Ill-~-~lj ii;.. ~~ (fJ~ I

q t »fTt?).I1»li

We (19 signatories) unanimously of opinion that the following resolution may be publised at once, without even having talk with government :(I) Resolved thot In spite of certain shortcomings In the S.G. Act I92S we appeal to the Panth to work it whole heartedly irrespective of the release of prisoners. (2) We (19) are unan imouslt of opin ion that the following resolution may be published only if government agrees to it before as a solution for bringing about unconditional release of all gurdwara prisoners: -

Resolved that in spite of certain shortcomings In the S.G. Act 1925 we appeal to the Panth to work It whole heartedly. We also, wish to make it perfectly clear that we are not prepared .to give any undertaking as a condition of our release. (We are now in majority of 20,'12) (3) In event of your being unable to reach at .ny solution In spite of this our position is clearly that described in our signed note handed to you today. And you will kindly permit S. Jodh Singh to proceed with the matter. Resolved that In spite of certain shortcomings In the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925 the Panth shOUld be appealed to work It out honestly. But we wish to make it perfectly clear that we are not prepared to give any undertaking as a condition of our release. It should be pub lished . The word "But" suggests that we ourselves have a doubt that the above lines con be taken as an undertaking. This word should be deleted or in Its place "at the same time" or "also" may be added.

so ;IE CONFIDE1'I TI \ L PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

16~

Four of us 17 do not find themselves in a position to give any definite opinion till they are In Jail. The other 13 are unanimously in favour of your resolution. We pass this resolution In order to strengthen the hands of the S.G.P.C. in the Sikh pUblic for the working of the Bill. So we are against showing it to the government befor Its publication for In that case It will become a condition of our release. One of us 13 has no objection If you show it to the government before its publication.

104

(WJ<I f0l5 ~ »f~') 4-t-'It=<4

/l ,\:1 l;!r!0lI' 4 l>Ii!JF!3-l;!Br.ifOl HO-iffl ~OI i!fR1<J OIHc'I ~ A:II~ 11 Ii'~)'( <;l'>f' ~ [01 >aar.'i ~fe~ OIKel ii '>!HB'l'I l;!«-oCIT lilor).( '>fij[f13 K' 3",\:1 ~ ii<J;J' ii ae orai; >ii, fijg ii ",aor er<Ji5 II ).(iger iiEl er~l Oill' orl OIEl >iia ~o l;!'>f')'(w3 a ' ~f!C!1 'Hl '>ICIIR3 il '>!HWI'! >aCII;jork<: ailel if' all>1' il~CII' I f)'(<lail'?il aail l;!i'RB fsg'f0ll.., ""-, for fao fao ~l!<I'3 >iia <I'W3 ii ~1 1

f"p.rr

~ I

(1) ~alol ~ fer Hi! <IHral ;il Iii:;:al '>!lJ1B '>1'4 ii llqil i!orHJ >lia 3H').( ffl\j >iia :illa fR-~ 4ilfBa l;!3 18i1' arc a<ll ~ fa aa'Hcl aifel f!IB ii ~OI a'Oi5 ii ~;jW 01' Fl!8lO OIij', >ii<J STEl ~ ii ;fit iie orij :3 fua n.~' l:fT;] 1il:fT;] eo al il" 0<11 ~ >lia 1'fCI00'o >iio IJilfger ii <lli'al 01'>13 40 HOI a0<5 >iia <:1),( ii ~~5 OIl H5{1 e1'>11 H' aJ' ~ I (2) elali! ft;f<J .1 ~qa fl-!B1 fa '>flll IjTf<Jillo OIl fuele. ~ fer '>I'IJI'! if' lJ8'ij aoll t.I'<JO' 3a IJa t! IJ'a?l»r wE1 il'~ I ~er fi18 II e8ri: ii "er Ii' '>fa ~l'fCIl ~I'! II fllwg >lia fllB':;: ll.acl ii Raera HaiB rAul aliP "ii' I f).«Jall'e1 erail ~ao ,:£l:f3' IJ3' >1' f" '>I.f\:l>!' ft;f<J 0101 ~

170

SOME CON FIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI

MOVEME~T

,;)0 '>f'\I <!II >'!orlH fOl'>f' :'1,;)0 ~II OIl ?;;J<JT3 r,,'>f' :'I' falUor ;]H f~1I B'1l ii r?)<J'f~3 <Jl l:f30?)'01 ,;)0 8!!1t! »!B t!'OIlHBl ?T ft!'>f'03~01I1HS3 :J' I 30l018?) 118 or' f,"ul f.ti'>f'Il:J I 1lOt!'" 3H' fFfUI Hl II>fBol <di il' 01' ;)1 f,"<11 a'E :'I I f!!11 alE 0101 0101 ,;)0 ':fiR8 f!!3'IlT<J iao '>foll'll 60H'?' 3'fOl <1H ;)1 '>flRil ?)'OII! '>f0l1l ii ':!3 ' 80l -ijot"il >ifa li;!"or l ao \10 IY,'V ii IY,v?)l a'E '>faH "ij' >i/a 3H'H :tf30'3 R H31l ' <J % ~~' I

(3) lIaB'o 3'0' flllll 1'1 HOII &'Flffi! '>fOla '>iif!3RO 3'1:Ial" alJ3 :'I' ,"' ,>!I?i "'8 :'I' 3' (lo ii 3 1011t!?) »<aH orii' for H8,,1 <1H ii '>fl 010 fi.!8 H'?" H~al OflH ~ , (4) f!!31l';) fHEl :J fOl {r" RlfJijli') orl ft;J;) f."'>f'1l :'I fOl il~ ii' f!!>'! '>fHa ii Illg ,;ltili!BO SHal"" BOl;)a ~o' orl tI'E' fOl 8'orl '10-'1'1 '>f0l1!!1~ ii .1 fo<:ll Ola?)' ;)'<:I1E I f(,!11 or' ,"orlo 0/00 ' '3 ljROlIl ~ I Boro »raio f~1I ii' ~s 1It!'0f3 ~ sa'E fHuoS'?)1 <)Hlol 30" R fl;jJ 1i3~0l1 '>fat! ~ fli 1>fI\l fi:FT ii t;lH'?'a f!!!liF8 ~ V'II f'H"'.:l~ I fOl ,;jill orao' R':;: sal;) ,;)" ~« ;JOI', >ifa R):f3 8t!0'Hl >i/o 3sl<:Il 0/ ' Slf!!1I .j0l', ,;)0 <1afOlt.l uafOlt.l >ilRl 0<11' orao l il';]IE I l'lOoi'o or.l

.1 f!!R B8'§ ii Sa.,'R3 0<:11' "ijOllr ~1l'<J R:;:I!!l Rfl;jJ "Iff .1 t.lj!a 3fu ;] H~1JII I feR ?0f3 ~3 ii' 0<31,,011 Q", ,,001 iiH ii RIC! R:tf3 ~Hol 0f00T

<JOII I fell

(;»)

R fil'>f1'"

<JH forlY,l f8il' I

tI?Ta C!~ il5B '>fORT5

:<:OW?'

105

?arnar "Hel .:l t1 UOH t.I\!al 'l!OH3 Hlfc"ar ;l3 118-Oliiel ~fOl"ai orHi!

,,€I R[30[0 l{>,!lf"

<1';;101 R: >fam fAUI, II: HUfCI' [FfUl, R: 0]\1' 5 fFfUl, R: <1t.1'ijT fIl"us, R: H5 f<iUl, R: 1[:1'V rAUl, R: »!OilO fll'Uj I • \lo?'O iire'>f l fa ;la '1'1 !.lOll!!! tlll' 1l! aiarllO '>f~ ll'o ",rij;;-

Sotm CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

em, 521 u~~

171

I ~:

;'jq Mus, H: 3'0' fl'l"u!, l'I: o~(!' fl'l"us, l'I: <I1<1811A Mus, til ",1 R?r foie- a031 01131 ;:l'~ for '10 3'ill~ 3a ~fHfol'lcijc<l ~ fHB ~ Rat3; »frarH »frft! t!' uo€!q aa?'(!' ",1 trel? aan I~: HUla fRUI, l'I: Utl'il' f;:fus, l'I: l;jl? fAUI, l'I: iJailfl ffl'UI l'Ilif3"nl. ~: o'era f~"u! 1J:iml .flO'<J 4 Ri!(!' ii'Hl? -H fRIl 11'80; n'l? til ~ \Ian uailq aan I ?afa"iII orH21 t!l fe;f303 1 fH31 '10-\:-'14 iJ lilCll fl: H"iII8 Mus, l'I: ciill'l? f~'u!, II: -e,,3 fR 'lI, l'I: ;;TijlfsiUl tll ~ii' 50 f~ "a'Ge ij,jfa€lfli'i erHcl t!1 f?iJla ai80 1 * iiF.l (ife1>l' I ",lauI f"il'a {!ufr3 UO'<'O <'ife'>!' for il titll!j ~oo!'o ~t!11)jf ",1 fag· ffil3 fail lEll>13 n'l? BCl1~' 1i'>I'Hfg»fi t!' 3!l81-111lB ;lg Clan gel f<ru31 gijfll -H B~ 3; ~<!'1 aHcl fe~ ili'ifg~fli'i ~ UI~ aa B~OTl I »!3 g'el ~ "" Haill lI'" ao BiiOTl I

( S. Maghar Singh voted against it )

106

Confidential

2Q..8-25 W .C.'s resolution dated 20-8.25.

After full consideration of the draft resolution presented by S. Tara Singh, the W. C. resolves and gives this assurance hereby that it will secure passage ofthe said draft resolution In the General meeting of the S.G.P.C. and will stop iathas to Bhal Pheru provided the Pan lab Government gives a written assurance to the effett that on the passage of this resolution it will release forthwith unconditionally all Gurdwara prisoners and also redress other allied Gurdwara grievances. The draft resolution runs thus : Our leaders In the Fort have advised us to accept the Gurdwara Act. Belelving this advice to be in the best Interests of the Sikhs, the S. G. P. C. declares Its acceptance of the Act and calls upon all those who acknowledge Its authority to co-operate In working It. It hopes that it will not long be deprived of the assistance of its members and followers who are In Jail and expects with their help

17l

SOME CON FIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVE ME NT

to amend the defe<:ts In the act by ordinary methods. With the acceptance of the Act the need for direct action disappears. Direct action was - forced upon the S. G. P. C. by the failure of the law to provide a remedy for the religious grievances of the community. Ja thabandi Is the visible sign of the unity ofthe Panth,but the organisation of the Akali Dal instead of being used as the instrument of direct action will exist to preserve the corporate spirit of the Sikhs and will earn in the fields of religious and social work even greater renown than it has won In the morchas of the last five years. Regarding the question of the deposition or abdication of the Maharaja of Nabha, a question which It ~onslders to be apart from the main Gurdwara reform movement, the S. G. P. C. has nothing to add or subtract from what it has already de clared. By mutual agreement S. Tara Singh and Mr. Puckle have made the folloWing changes and alterations in the above draft resolutions :(I) In line'S' the words are used "the act will be amended." (2) In line '14' the word lathabandl substituted for"Akali Da!"·. (3) In line '21' the words "a question which •.•.. :G. R. movement" are omitted.

107

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174

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108 Camp "'ookwood. Simla. August. 1925. My dear Col. St. John. The passing of the Gurdwara Bill Into law;under the able and statesmen like gUidance of Sir Malcolm Hailey. to the general . satisfaction of the Shromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Inspires a hope that the Akali agitation in the Panjab may quiet down. so far. at all events. as the plea of gurdwara reform Is concerned.

SOME

CONFIDE~TIAL

PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

175

Whether the measure will also smooth the general Sikh situation is a matter in the lap of the gods. One chapter of the Akali history may, however, be taken as closed. It will, therefore, not be out of place to bring to the notice of the Government of India, the part played by Patlala's Ruler and His Highness' Government during the past ten years or more in successfully combating the Akall menace and co-operating whole-heartedly at great sacrifice with the Punjab Government In dealing with the general Sikh situation which has caused serious anxiety and has at times disturbed the peace .and order in the country. With this object, I am desired to enclose herewith a note containing a brief account of tr,e most important among the nu merous

services rendered by Patiala (rom time to time, and to request the

favour of their being brought to the notice of the Government of India for such recognition as they desire. Yours Sincerely, (Daya Kishan Kaul),

109 Services rendered by Patiala in combating the dangerous Sikh agitation and the Akali movement in the Punjab in recent years.

Forces behind the Sikh Ghadar Movement, 1914.

In the Punjab Sikh Ghadar Movement of 1914, which Sir Michael 0 'Dwyer mentions in his book 'India as I knew it,' the activities of the Sikh anarchists secret prompting and support from Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha. Even In his father Maharaja Hlra Singh's life time he had, as Tikka Sahib, shown a distinct tendency for political notoriety and for anti-British propaganda. His deep associations with political extremists had moulded his character and aspirations to such an extent that he even disregarded and disobeyed the advice of his own father. who was a staunch friend and

176 SOM !': CO)/ F lDENTl AL PAPERS OF THE A[{ALI MOVEME >fT

.IIy of the British. After the demise of his father, he had â&#x20AC;˘ free hand. He had developed. strong dislike for the British Government .nd was ready at all times to secret help anti-British movements. His sole ambition was to become the recognised head and leader of the Sikh nation and eventually another Maharaja Ranjlt Singh of the Punjab. This aspiration obviously guided his activities In social, educational and political lines and the extensive propaganda which he carried on at considerable cost. Sir Michael O ' Dwyer was able to combat and check the Ghador movement. by adopting measures In which Patiala helped considerably by arresting some of the dangerous America-returned emigrants and restricting the movement of, interning, such of them as were residing In the Patiala State. In doing so, Sir Mi chael O'Dwyer found out that the Maharaja of Nabha was In association with the undesirables and consequently wanted to save him from evil consequences. But every time that exception was taken to his conduct, the Maharaja of Nabha ascribed it to the differences that existed between him and the Ruler of Patlala. The growth of extremists propaganda among the Sikhs. In 1917, the anti-Chief Khalsa Diwan press, which had been brought into existence by Maharaja Rlpudaman :Singh of N.bha, was busy in vilifying Sardar Sunder Singh MaJithla .nd his activities, which were directed to purely socl.1 and educational matters. During that period the 'Slkh Review', of Deihl, the 'Khalsa Akhbar' and the 'Panth Sewak', three extremist Sikh papers .nd chief constituents of the anti-Chief Khalsa Diwan Press were, to everybody's knowledge. financed by Nabha. These dangerous political activities of Maharaja Rlpudaman Singh were rapidly creating a most difficult situation for the Punjab Government; and In pursuance of

the old traditions of devoted and whole-hearted co-operation with the Impeiia.l Government and in order to ease the situation In the

Punjab at that Juncture, Patiala agreed, at the instance of Sir MichaeIO'Dwer, to compromise, at great sacrifICe, with the Maharaja of Nabha so as to remove the latter's excuse for associating with objectionable extremist bodies under the guise of safe-guarding his

SOME CONFIDEXTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKAI.l MOVEMENT

177

Interests. Notes of this particular Incident will probably be found in the old Agency office records. In spite of this, the secret propaganda of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh, for gaining favour and popularity with every anti-Government Sikh organisation continued till it succeeded in bringing down the Chief Khalsa Diwan in the pUblic estimation so low that Its members began to be sneered at as the huntsmen of the British Govern ment. It was about this time that S.5Âˇ. Cavesseiur s~Âˇ lf[ed from Delhi to Lahore and started with the financial and moral support of Nabha, the weekly "New Herald" in order to foment the Rowlett Bill agitation which WlS so~n followad by the serious riots of April 1919, the Martial Law regime and the Amritsar session of the National Congress, in which Cavesselur succeeded in bringing into existence the so-called Sikh League. It was on this occaSion that the newly organised band of Sikh extrem ists like Cavesseiur and his assoclace Harchand Singh of Layallpur brought about an alliance With the leaders of the Indian National Congress. The assistance rendered by Patiala in the form of protecting communications and guarding the Railway lines during the Panjab disturbances, in co-operating with the Punjab C.I.D_ in locating S. S_ Cavesseiur who was then hiding in Nabha territory and the estate of Bhal Arjan Singh of Bagarlan to evade his arrest, and In actually arresting Master Mota Singh In Patlala territory and making him over to the Punjab Police, In complete disregard of the extradition rules, etc., are facts well known to the Government of India. In ad<ltbn to all this the Political Agent was kept constantly and fully informed of all anti-Government movements which were then on foot in the Punjab.

The Khalsa College trouble. It was about October 1920 that serious trouble arose In the Khalsa College Amrltsar u"der the influence of the Sikh extremists and as a result of the Nabha propaganda. The Professors struck work and serious agitation prevailed. The College and local authorities were unable to remedy the mischief. His Highness the

178

SO ME CONFIDENTIAL PArERS O F THE AKALI

hlOVE ME~T

Maharaja of 'Patiala's intervention was sought by leading men on both sides and, with the approval of the Panjab Government, His Highness undertook co mediate in the matter.

He went down to

Lahore and, by his personal influence and at great Inconvenience and trouble to himself, he was able to bring about a satisfactory settlement which restored peace and order In the College ,

The S.G.P.C, The inception of a central Gurdwara Co'm mittee was at this time exercising the minds of the extremist Sikhs who were in revolt against any Government. Interference in Sikh institutions, particularly the Khalsa College and the Golden Temple Amritsar. While dealing with th, questlo~ 'of the Khalsa College, His Highness was approached by some I~ading Sikhs and asked to Use his good offices in bringing about, at the same time, a satisfactory settlement of the question' Cif ' i:o~trol of the Golden Temple which had be~n somewhat _complicated by the agltatlon- created by the more \-oclfer'O';! mem'bers of the extremist secti~~ of the Sikh community. Ag~ln, with the appr~val of the PanJab Governmerit ; ;;d In consultation with -Sir Edward Maclagan , the then Governor of the 'Province, !'tis Highness exerted himself In " this behalf and with ireat ' dlfficulty brought about an arrangeinent whereby a committee , " tons lstlng of 50 % elected ",!en:ber.'f -~~,~ 50 % members nominated qy ihe Sikh states was to con~ror:~he affairs of the Golden Temple. The

I .... , "H 1-'

,J ~ .

â&#x20AC;˘

election was to b~ o.~ t;~Tt~gr'~! basis so as not to give predominan.ce

to men of any particular sh~de , ~f thought or locality. This cO(l1mitt~e . '. ,~ , :' ~ \ ~ ~'- . " was duly anaugurated and His Highness returned to Pattala, (eellng that the trouble had been averted for the time being. Soon after, \

however,

the

extremist

section

the

Sikhs,

under

direct

R_r.?mptlng from Nabha and under ~he u I~adershlp pf S. S. .Charan 'S\ngh Shaheed, who was _~~~p ,, ~_ pjljd Durbarl .. of Nabha State, fl~oded the committee wit.h, .an addition of 75 members of the,;r own' choice, o~,tv~ted

~jth the result that the ~o.rflinated members were

and were gradually elbowed , OU\e Jlis Highness .. \,(ilJi p~epared to intervene again to set matters right but he was not

SO~tE

CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl 路 MOVEMEN T

17~

asked to do so and he did not wish to proffer his assistance unasked.

The Nankana tragedy. As an Immediate result of the formation of this new committee came the aggreS!ion on the Gurcwaras (u lminating In the tragedy at Nank.na. It Is worthy of note that before this tragedy occured. His Highness had furnished the Punjab Government with his views, in the form of a note, on the question of the control of Gurdwaras

and had also explained to His Excellency the Governor of the Panjab his solution of the trouble which had been brewing over Nankana Gurdwara.

The Golden Temple Keys affair. Later on when the difficulty connected with the possession of the Golden Temple Keys was perplexing the Punjab Govern路 ment. and the Gurdwara Committee. by now a formidable body under the name of S. G. P. c., was creating all kind of complic.tions. attempts were made to find a way out of the difficulty. Patlala offered help and co路operatlon with the Pu nJab Government in this connection. The Prime Minister. Patlala, and the Agent to the Governor路General had conferences with His Excellency the Governor and other responsible officers of the Punjab Government. The Punjab Government, however, in dlsregrad of this offer of help. decided to hand over the keys of the Darbar Sahib to the S. G. P. C. through the civil court in which the suit for possession was pending and Patiala was asked to exercise the influence and improve the situation only in regard to the general Guestion of the reform of Gurdwaras but not to associate in any manner With the Gue'tion of the Golden Temple keys.

Attempts to r~form tbe Gurdwara Movement. With the Akal Takht Amrits.. under the control of the S. G. P. C., no propaganda was likely to bear fruit. Nevertheless, in order to render such help to the Punjab Government as was possible, a propaganda was set on foot with a View to influence the Akall movement so as to separate the Gurdwara reform completely from political work. The plan contemplated was to secure a

180

:;0)1ÂŁ CO NFlOSNTJAL PAPER S 01- THE AKM. I

~[ O VEMF.NT

m' jor ity of such members in the S. G . P. C., as would prefer to do purely religious work without opposing thE Government. Being given to understand that Master Mota Singh was a man who enjoyed the confidence of the Sikh community generally, an attempt wa, made to approach him through Bhai Ram Singh Dharowal ia and Teja Singh Bhuchar who promised loyal coÂˇoperation and held out the hope that. If Mota Singh once agreed to the proposal. the success of the propaganda would be assured. At considerable risk. Bhai Ram Singh saw Mota Singh after the Royal amnesty granted to him along with others in 1919 on the termination of Martial Law, When the latter

was absconding to evade his arrest in the well

known Akali conspiracy case of 1921. He succeeded' in removing from his mind the mlsunder-standing against Patiala which had arisen on account of Patiala's aCt ion against him in the past and Patiala's COnstant co-operation with the British Goverenment to

quell Akali activities which were then trampl ing the law under the pretext of religious sanction. The S. G. P. C. preachlngs were widespeard and attractive for the Simple-minded but fanatic Sikh; and so well camouflaged behind the ostensible Dharmlc pretensions was the deep-rooted political propaganda that the Sikh inhabitants of the state lost their balance of mind and

started recruItment

of members for the S.G.P.c. and collection of funds for it. By persistent counter propaganda, passing of special legislation, and organising

a state

Gurdwara

Committee

with

adequate staff.

which. of course , involved heavy expense. every possible effort was made within the State to dissuade Sikhs from joining or finanCially supporting the movement, and to save the State gurdwaras from passing Into the possession of Akalls, thus affording considerable help in easing the general situation in the Punjab.

Fatehgarh Sahib incident. In December 1921 when one Gurdwara after another was being seized in r.pid succession by the Akalis and there was a great rush on Fatehgarh Sahib, His Hlghness.t gre.t risk went out personally

SOME CO ~FI DE)/ ri AL PAPE RS Or- THE AKALI MOVE ME:-!T

lSI

to attend the Jormel, (convention) at Fatehgarh Sahib and by his great personality succeeded in exerting a healthy influence on the Akall extremist, of his own State and abroad, which went a long way in Checking the all.sweeping wave of Akall raids on gurdwaras.

Efforts to reclaim Mota Singh. Later on, as a re,ult of the Influence brought to bear on him. Mota Singh agreed to sever his connection with all politics and ta confine his activities exclusively to re ligiOUS work. He contemplaled changing the pe rsonnel of the then S.G.P.C. and starting solely the work of the purification of the gurdwara. This informat ion was conveyed to the Pun jab Government but they were not prepared to accept Mota Singh's assurance or to use him In any way for a counter propaganda against the S. G. P. C. Th e proposal consequently did not assume any definite shape. Nevertheless, Patlala, through Its trusted agents, continued to Influence Mota Singh with a view to prevent him from breaking Into violence. Meanwh il e in June 1922, Master Mota Singh was arrested and Teja Singh Bhuchar became unfriendly with Patlala under the influence of the Maharaja of Nabha and Bijla Singh-the well known Akall extremist and anarchist-who was then wanted In the Lahore Conspiracy case and was being harboured by the Maharaja of Nabha, started giving troubles on the borders of the Patlala State.

Agitation in Malwa : Itâ&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘uppression. About this time an Akali office was opened at Dhuri in the Pat iala State , which practically became the centre of the ac t ivities of the Akalls of the Malwa tract. This institut ion was affil iated w ith the central S.G . P.c. and gained great pol itical importance In the Phulklan States. Pati.la, In the teeth of opposition of the Sikh public of the State took drastic measures against the office bearers of the Dhuri Dewan, who were arrested and prosecuted under various political offences. HI, Highness' Government appOinted a special bench of magistrates vested with speCial powers to try those cases. This action resulted In the complete d islocation of the Akall

182

SOME CO_'1 FIDE " T fAT- PAP~~S OF THE AJ( ALllJOVEME)/ r

organisation in all the CI,~-SutleJ Sikhdlstrlcts in the Punjab and in the Patia!a State.

Similar action W3S t'i!ken in connection with the

~Hero!, ~urdwara in . P~tiÂˇaJa a~4' in Bijla

Singh ~.

other cases of Akali agitation.

ac:tivitiea and hi. eventual reclamation.

Meanwhile BI/ la Singh anarchist, mentioned above, had become a terror for the Patiala State subjects by organising raids and dacoities io 'Patiala territory. It was discovered that BiJia Singh had In view and extensive scheme of murdering the high officers of the patlal. S~tate and plundering the State treasuries and that he and his party were equ ipped with a plentiful supply of arms from the Nabha Scate and with bombs. All the expences of th is party were being paid by Nabha. All this Information waa furn ished to the Punjab C.I.D. who were, however, unwilling to take steps to arrest Bijla Singh unless he was found In British territory, even though he was wanted In the Akali Conspiracy case. Efforts were therefore made to win over Bijla Singh from the anti-Government and criminal propensities and the necessary agenCies were employed by Patiala to secure this end, Eventually with the approval of the Government of India, Bljla Singh was pursuaded, through Bhai Ram Singh, on assurance of pardon, to surrender himself to Patiala. Bijla Singh surrendered, and he and the whole of his party were brought under complete control and solemn assurances were taken from them for

their future good behavio ur.

Efforts to arreat the Babr Akali gang. It is necessary, at this stage. to return again to the Akali activities in the Punjali. After the arrest of Mota Singh, his party In the Doab. selected for their leadership one of Master Mota Singh' s lieutenants named Kishan Singh Gargaj , an absconder, who rapidly devised mean s to throw the province into throes of general confUSion and anarchy. At the outset, the party adopted the designation of Gargaj (awe-Inspiring) but later, in furtherence of their avowed object, the gang assumed the more terrorising name of Babr Akall Jatha, whose brutal outrages are too well known to need

SO;1E

CO~FIDE~T IAL

PAPERS OF THE AKAL{ MOV£;!£NT

IS)

any comment. Even here, Patlala was ready as ever with its loyal co-operation to check this dangerous development. Bhai Ram Singh was consequently deputed to tackle Klshan Singh and he approached him for the first time, through Babu Santa Singh (another important member of the Babr jatha), In August 1922. Through Jurth,er efforts, Ki sha n Singh Gargaj became agreeable to change. his anarchist propaganda and to turn into a loyalist if Patiala would :grant h;'m subslstance and occupation as was be,lng offered to Bijla Singh. Negotiation in this connection were still going on with the Agent to the Governor . General, Punjab States, when Kishan Singh was arrested in the Hosh larpur district. After this Bhal Ram Singh , w ith the permission of the aut"oritles, Interviewed, in Jullundur Jail r Kishan Singh who agreed to disclose all the facts and enable the arrest of all the members of the dangerous Babr gang provided that he was not given away but was convicted under section 124 A. of the I.P.C. and Imprisoned for a year or two. The higher authorities appreciated the proposal but it was not accepted by.the 'Punjab C.LD. Had this proposal been adopt~~, the · whoJe . Babr ratha ' wculd ha.~ been eaSily arrested with the help of Klshan Singh. and the loyal resi den~s of the Doaba and the Po lice would have " bee~ saved frori! all th"t foll"we~. ' ,'. I' ' . _. Not-with-standlng the disappointment at no t · being able to push the very Important and valuable assist.ance In the conversion of Mota Singh and Klshan Singh to a successful Iss~e, Patiala . still continued . I to help the Imperial cause, and' the Agen t' to the Governor-General . .1 was kept Informed on the im.po rtant steps taken from t ime to time_ At this junctur~, ' the Com";issio'~er of " Jullundur asked Patl~la informally if'Bijla Singh could "asslst In the arresi or the members of . I , ;! , t . the gang who had embarked on a career of violent crime. Accordingly, 'In consultatlo~ with Bij la Singh, ' twb s~cret agents ' Ja&at Singh and Sund er Singh were deputed to get Into direct touch' with the most important members of:tlie' Babr jatha and their <services we're placed at. the disposal of the Punjab .C. I. D. ·, It was 'through the ,effprts of ,t hese tWO Patlal. men that Babu Santa Singh and Ram Singhy members of the Babr jatha, were arrested by the Pollee. In addition to ' j '

•

..,

1St

SOME:CO);fIDE~TIAL

PAPERS OF TH E AKALI MOV E MENT

these arrests, both these Pat ial. informers managed to pass most acurate and timely information to the poli ce to facilitate the arrest of the outlaws but unfortunately some-how-or other many golden opportunities were lost, This short acount will show that direct work was done by Patiala in the Imperial Interest in rounding up the Babr gang , besides keeping Sf lakhs of the Sikh population of the Phulklan States under control and preventing them from harbouring or sheltering the ' Babrs', a practice wh ich Was then very common because of every Sikh feeling himself In duty bound to do so. This action naturally weakened the anarchical movement in the Pun jab by depriving it of so many facllties wh ieh the anarchists ex pected to enjoy at the hands ofthe large and concentrated Sikh population of t he Patlala State.

Annoyance of Akali papers. The extremist AkalJ newspapers were greatly annoyed with Patiala over Its persistent attitude of cOoOperation with the Government of India and hurled, every day, most poisonous, foul and Insulting epithets against Patlala ; the Kirpall B,hadur, A ka!; and Aka!; te Pardes;, etc., were most violent. At this very stage Patiala was forcibly drawn into most disagreeable but all absorb ing conflict with Nabha. Yet it tought Single-handed against the Akali menace with persistence and at great sacrifice .

Second Attack on Khaloa College. Towards the end of 1923 fresh trouble was created In the Khalsa College' by: some of the members of the S. G. P. C. The help of His High ness of Patiala was again sought and he ungrudgingly provided personal help, constant adVice, encouragement and financial help to the ' College Committee, through the medium of Sardar Sunder Singh Majithia which saved the college once more from falling Into the hands of the extremist Sikhs.

Meaaure. taken to control seditious activities. Consequent on Nabl,a's separation from his State In December 1923, it was di~cov ered that the Folitical atmosphere within the

SOME CONFlDENTJAL PAPERS OF TH E ANAL! MOVE~'1ENT

state was being Injuriously affected by the constant deputation of S.G.P.C .â&#x20AC;˘ emissaries from Amritsar to seduce the Scate Akalis to hold political Diwans. in which most objectionable and seditious speeches were delivered against the British and His Highness' Government. Consequently certain lines were chalked out to cope with the situation In accordance with the existing law. At this stage. however. the policy adopted by His Highness' Government was simply to apprehend the ring-leaders and real prompters of the movement. In the great annual diwan held at Fatehgarh Sahib In the last week of December. 1923. many speaches were delivered in a spirit of reckless defiance of the law. Most of the speakers belonged to British territory and some of them made themselves scarce. but those who could not escape over the border were hunted down and prosecuted. As was to be expected. this acted as a red rag to the bull and. In a fit of threatening r.stlessness, the lo:al Akall leaders prompted by the paid preachers of the S. P. G. C. hastily organised a

succession of political dlwans in various affected centres, with the avowed object of overawing His Highness' Government and Infusing courage and enthusiasm among their rank and file. In view of the higher vituperative language Which was being indulged in by the agitators. chiefly against the British Government it was then considered necessary to augment the existing law by a special "Shahi Farman" which forbade all seditious activities in any form or manner whatsoever, whether ag.lnst the Patiala Raj or against the British Government, on pain of severe penalties Including forefeieure of property.Accordingly allthe important speakers who delivered inflamatory and seditious speeches in those diwans were arrested, challanged, convicted and sentenced to long terms of Imprisonment, fine and

confiscation of property. These political prisoners were lodged in an isolated subSidiary jail which was specially established (or th .. m at Bhatlnda. This action naturally Invited most severe criticism from the Gurmukhl and Vernacular Press of the Punjab but all the ~me it had a salutary effect and thenceforward the number of Akoll dlwans began to decrease and very few prosecutions under section 124 A. or 188 of the I. P. C. and 108 of the C. P. C., were found

l8S

so;m CO'iFIDENT IAL

PAPERS OF THE AKALI M,JVEM£NT

necessa ry.

With a view to stop the publication of seditious articles in different papers, whkh contained most pernicious and unwarranted attacks against the British and His Highness' Government , vigorous efforts were made by the Patiala C. J. D. to obtain a clue as to the real writers of those articles. By secret enquiries and recourse to up-to-date methods of censorship , correspondents of the Gurmukhi papers like" Babbar Sher", "Aka"", "Klrpan Bah.dur", "Pritam" etc., were located . their accomdation addresses for such correspondence found and original copies of articles intercepted in a very clever but qu ie t manner. This gang was eventually challaned under section 124 A.. and 120 B., I. P. C. convicted. Action was also taken against cereain Akalis who sold seditious

pamphlets against British Government in Patia la and who were in direct touch with editors of papers referred to above. and Jiwan Singh and Partap Singh, the well known booksellers of Amrits.r who deal mostly in seditious Gurmukh i literature and national publications.

On receiving information through the State C.I.D. that certain Sikh students of the Mohlndra College Patiala were secretly participating in the Akali propaganda by way of reciting self-composed political poems and collecting funds for the S.G. P.C .• Qaldi Sahayak Fund. etc" etc . • the movement was nipped In the bud and the students who had taken leading part in the activities were expelled from the State .

Co·op,tation in connection with the J ..ito affair. Apart from local political troubles, the m>rch of Akall Jathas on Jaito, often through Patiala territory. necessitated constant and vigilant watch being maintained over State subjects With a view to discourage the wave of enthusiasm which permeated the Sikh peasantry at the t ime. Anoth er notificatio n, uncer the express ord e rs of His Highness. was issued by the Home Minister, in Februlr v 1924. prohibiting the Patiala State subjects from associating With the Shahidi Jathas at J.ito. Eventually suitable action was taken against those who participated in the movement. An offer of co-

SO~l!c

CONF IDENTI AL PAPE RS OF THE AKALI ;,10V EME)/T

187

operation With the Nabha Forces at jaito at the political Juncture was accepted by the Government of India and Patiala troops were deputed to assist the N3bha authorities at ja lto. The conduct of these troops was repeatedly admired by the Nabha Administrator who on several occasions expressed his views in letters of thanks addressed to the Prime Minister. Patiala. In May. 1924. vide confidential D. O . letter N~ . 1014ÂˇC dated 20.5.24. certain suggestio ns by the Prime Minister. Patlala to Improve the situation at jaito. were placed in the hands of the A.G.G. for the cons ideration of the Governmen t of India. The attitude of the Punjab C.I.D. had changed In the meantime and the loyal co-operation of Patlal. began to be appreciated by the Punjab Government.

Another conspiracy unearthed. A conspiracy was discovered In 1924. In which certain Akalis. particularly Santa Singh a lias lakhmer Singh of Kalaur. Poflce Sution Bassi. who had received a life sentence In the second lahore Conspiracy case o( 1914 but was raleased In 1919 owing to Royal Clemency. Dr. Bakhshlsh Singh. a well known bomb-manufacturer :IJld their associates holding extrem ist views. had laid out plans to commit political murders beginning with Sardar Bahadur Sardar Sunder Singh Majith la. Colonel Minchin and the Prime Min ister of Patiala (Raja Sir Daya Kishan Kaul). They had cellected dangerous /ire orms. etc .â&#x20AC;˘ (or the purpose. Their residential quarters were ra ided recovering swords. guns. chaVis. cartridges. one bomb and some political flterature. It was also found that certain Sikhs of Majha. who entertained anarchical views. were also affiliated to this party. Accordingly a case under section 302/ 120 B.. I.P.C.. was registered and the accused were sent up for trial and convicted. This secret gang. which was likely to develope Into a revolut io nary orlgan lsat lcn and become a peril to society like the Babr gang of Doaba. was then broken up In time. Action was also taken against the paid propagandists of the S.G.P.C. employed for disseminating seditious literature and reciting Inflamatory poems.

188

SO~!E

CO:)(FJDENTlAL PAPERS OF THE

AKAL~

110 VEMENI

SUMMARY To SUm up, His Highness the Maharaja of Patiala and his Government have fully maintained their long establi. hed tradition of active whole-hearted co-operation with and loyal assistance to the British Government during the last troublesome decade of Punjab history especially In connection with the .narchist and extremist movements among the Sikhs. from the Sikh Ghaddar conspiracy and the Rowlett Bill agitation onwards, the Maharaja of Nabha has lent his moral and financial support to seditious agitation In general and the Sikh extremist and anarchi$t activities In particular ; this enhancing the dlflkulties of the task before the British and Patlal. Governments. Patiala has offered Its active assistance and ungrudging co-operation In combating the Sikh Ghaddar conspiracy of 1914, the political agitation In 1917, the seditious activities of 1919, the extremist att.cks of 1920 and 1923 on the Khalsa College, the growth of extremist propaganda among the Sikhs, from the creation of the S.G.P.C. down to the Jaito affair, In purging the gurdwara reform movement of Its political character, In attempting to reclaim hardened political offenders like Mota Singh and Klshan Singh. in actually reclaiming fire brands like Bijla Singh and his gang, In turning the tide of political agression by the extremist Akalis at Fatehgarh Sahib, in suppressing agitation In the Malwa, in planning the arrest of whole Babr Akali gang, in providing Information calculated to lead to the arrest of individual members of the lathas and in actually secu ring the arrest of at least two of them, in discovering conspiracies to murder directed against Bri t ish and Patiala Officers, In generally Initiating measures for fighting the Akali menace consonance. with policies adopted by the Punjab Government and persisting with them even when that Government saw fit to alter their policy. It goes Without saying that in doing so, His Highness the Maharaja of Patiala made himself thoroughly unpopular from time to time with the extremist and more VOCiferous section of the Sikhs wh ich had been practically leading the Whole Panth and has been gaining steadily Importance- a situation which

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPE RS OF THE AKALl M O VEME ~T

181

always Involves a risk 01 alienation 01 the Sikh subjects of the State from their Ruler. Much more so has been the case when after being encouraged to take up a stern attitude he has been left in a tight and awkward corner by a change in the policy 01 the Punjab Government. It has therefore been no easy task for His Highness to maintain his prestige and capacity to exert a healthy influence over the community.

The Patiala police have considerably helped the Punjab Police in every poss Ible manner In all the pol itlcal cases handled by them, particularly in the Sikh leaders trial case and the supplementary Babr Akali case. The State C. I. D. have always kept a watch on the political tendencies of all suspicious Akalis. To quote a recent

instance, vigilent watch was exercised in connection with the Nagar Klrtan processions and suitable action was taken to put an end to the activities of persons who took the initiative In collecting Panj-Paisa or Panj-Anna funds or In the celebration of Nabha day. The Vigilance of the Patlala C . I. D., has gained enormously in Its efficiency .slnce Khan Bahadur Sardar L1aqat Hayat Khan , C.B.E., assumed charge 01 the Department and work 01 the Patiala Government in this direction has been greatly facilitated by the sympathetic attitude of His Excellency, Sir Malcolm Hailey's Government and the mutual confidence and co-operation of the Punjab and Patiala Criminal Investigation Department.

110

Confidential Political agitation in Patiala State Your Highness,

I. The impending settlement of the Akall question in the Punjab prompts me to submit to Your Highness the follOWing brief note on the political situation in the Patiala State and to suggest the desirability of recognising the services of deserving persons

190 SOME COr- FI DENT1AL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

with a view to encourage them and others, thus fortifying ourselves against all future contingencies ;2. Towards the close of the year 1923, soon after I had assumed charge of the Home Department. I discovered that while political agitation In the State was growing apace. being fanned by the extremists propaganda in the Punjab, the only agency we had to cope With It. viz., the C. I. D. lacked discipline, training and proper control which reduced its utility to minimum . This, obviously was a most unsatisfactory posItion from an administrat1ve

point of view and called for immediate reform. Accordingly with Your Highness' approval, transferred the C. I. D. from the Central

Police office , to the Home Department under my direct control. effected certain necessary changes In the personnel of the Department and placed it In charge of an experienced officer, who lost no time In setting things in order. Having thus equipped ourselves with a more diSCiplined and better controned C. I. D' I we set ourselves to enforce the law and stem the tide of political unrest which was rapidly spreading throughout the State. By Your Highness' command . a definite and clearly defined . policy was laid down for the gUidance of the executive staff and an intensive campaign was launched against political agitators, who backed by the resources and end,usiasm of the S.G.P.c., were dally gaining a firm hold over the imagination of the unsophisticated masses. The great annual Diwan held at Fatehgarh Sahib in December 1923, at Which numerous Akalis were present and many seditious speeches were del ivered In a spi; lt of reckless definace of t he law, gave us the desired opportunity to set the law In motion. Such of the leading firebrands as did not escape over the border were hunted down and prosecuted. As was to be expected, this acted for the t ime being as a red rag to the bull and In a fit of threaten ing restlessness the local Akal i leaders prompted by the emissaries of t he S. G. P. C., hastily organised a succession of political diwans In various effected ÂŤntres with the avowed object of overawing the Patiala Government and infusing courage and enthusiasm amo ng

smlE CONFlDEX11AL PAPERS OF THE AK.' LI MOVEMENT

191

their rank and file. But we were no. " "prepared for these developments and the executive st.ff very vigorously and most successfully grappled with the situation which w.s menacing enough to tax their energies to the utmost. Apart from local politic.1 troubles. the march on lalto of Akali jathas, often through Patiala territory. necessitated constant vigilance being maint.ined over state subjects with a view to discourage the wave of enthusiasm which permeated the Sikh pe.santry at the time. In view of the highly vituperative language which was being Indulged In by the agitators, chiefly against the British Government it was considered necessary at this stage to augment the existing law by a special "Shahi Farman", which forbade .11 seditious activities

in any form or manner whatsoever whether against the Patiala R.j or the British Government on pain of severe penalties induding forfeiture of property. Armed wIth extra weapon, which proved so efficacious against local seditlonists, the C. I. D., on whom feil the brunt of the work in connection with the political agitation . made several Important arrests and before long over a score of

the worst offenders were duly accounted for and lodged in a subsidiary jail specially started for them at Bhatinda. During the course of the trials and even after convictions some of the more recalcitrant among the accused resorted to hunger strikes carrying their co-prisoners with them . These attempts at coercing Government Into undue leniency, which were undoubtedly inspired by outside agencies, however failed Ignominiously leaving our polley absolutely unchanged. The policy adopted by the Patiala Government In deal ing with the Akali agitation with a firm hand has simply justified itself by the results obtained. By the end of 1924 the siluation had been brought completely under control and seditious talk against the British Government and the Patlal. Ral practically ceased within the limits of the State. The extremists have eversince been making frantic efforts to revive the agitation but, so far. with I ittle effect.

192

SOME

COXFIDE~TIAL

PAPERS OF THE h KhLI MOV E ME!>fT

With the tightening of the screw, however, some of the more restiess spirits, finding them.elves helpless within the Jurisdiction of the State, started migrating to British territory and joining "Akali Jathas" organised by the S.G .P.C, Every possib le effort

was

made to stop

this movement. too. In spite of our

difficulties in dealing With State Subjects committing offences beyond our reach.

Revo!utionary plots. 3. The heavy work devolving on the C. I. D. in connection with the political agitation was >ccenwated by the necessity for constant vigilance over the deeper currents of the Akafi movement which had brought into existence such dangerous revolutionary organiSation as the "Babbr Aka"" gang of the Punjab. Secret Information obtained by the C. I. D. lead to the discovery of a dangerous plot In Kalaur, P. S. Bassi, Dl'trict Patiala, against the lives of some highly placed Government officials, who were known to be hostile to the Akali movement. The Superintendent of Pollee. C. I. D. personally raided the houses of the suspects and succeeded in recovering a bomb and some fire3rms. also some objectionable poli tical literature. The case was successfully investigated and re.ulted in the conviction and sentence of the consplraton to various terms of imprisonment.

A similar conspiracy

among prisoners In the Central/ail , Pati.la was nipped In the bud. 4. Several State officials and many nonÂˇofficials have contributed to the success of our polley in regard to the Akali agitation and I feel in du ,y bound to request Your Highness. gracious permission to submit

recommendat ions for rewards In favour

of such persons as have rendered conspiCUOUS service

the Patiala

Government in this grave pol itical crisis ond who have not already b.on rewarded at the last " B.sant Durbar". I beg to remain. Your Highness' Most obedient Servallt Sdj Liaqat Hayat Khan Home Min ister

Pati.la Govern ment

SO,fE CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEME~T

193

111 Telegram

22-9-25.

No. 348 from Baloke dated 22-9-25 hours 17-40 mts. Secretary Sharomanl Akal; Dal Amrltsar Keeping In view incident of 20th instant, I have ordered suspending Bhai Pheru Marcha from today. Don't send more jatbs here. Arjan Singh.

112 Gopy of the letter from S. Tela Singh Ghawind to Bhal Nand. Singh Jathedar.

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SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl

MOVE~lE~T

195

THE SHIROMANI GURDWARA PARBANDHAK COMMITTEE Communique No. 39. The S.G.P.C. in Its working Committee held on January 4th 1926 .dopted the following resolution ; The question of the appointment of Ministers of the Punjab Government was considered and It was decided that the S.G.P.C. should not interfere with it and that following statement be Issued to the Press :The opinions which some responsible members of the S.G.P.C. have expressed through the public press regarding the appointment of Ministers of the Punjab Government were their personal opinions. S.G.P.C. Is absolutely neutral in this matter. Jaswant Singh Jhabalia General Secretary, Amritsar: S. G. P. C. 5th January 1926. 114 To The General Secretary, Shiromanl G. P. Committee, Sir, Everslnce I was elected President of the S. G. P. C. last month I have been daily feeling that I am not doing that much of work which I previously used to do that which the needs of my Committee require from me under the present circumstances. This is mainly due to the state of my health, although there are other factors also which detract my mind from close application to the business of the post of the President and member In charge of the Law Department. I have deeply considered over the matter as to whether I could conscientiously discharge the duties of either post if I am releived of the others but I have come to the conclusion that I am unfit to bear the .traln of either. Such being the conclusion, I do not think It honest to keep the offices,

196

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEMENT

the duties of which I cannot efficiently discharge and the responslbllieies of which I can not shoulder. I shall however continue to be a member of the S. G. P. C. and give such advice and suggestions as may be asked for eime to time. When leaving Amrltsar, I made over charge to the Vice-President.

I have not taken back formal

charge so continue to work as the President until the

Committee take place.

meets

when formal

election

General

of the President can Your etc . . etc., Mehtab Singh 21. 2.26.

Rejected by W . C. on 22, 2. 26.

115

~€i "'f<JqJ~ ill 011 Mi'3<J I

''>101'81' »8 ''>1,,,,,1 3 '{.?Rl' '>IlIa'o; ua ..1'>1; <10 '>f3 RI;!fT;;raR ~ I '>IRl' R;;rT l/a B1 fa<J3il1 8e1 '>f'1.IC'1'>1; "liN; 1.ICOTC «<Ie aii fRl' fe<i f"Wil Bile a~ <J; f« Rc08 aa" B1 Be 3' I.If<l8;~. <!!. '{, O1Bc1 B1 15,,1' ilOC8 Be «a 8e1 tl'~ 3 Tf<l ii-efa iliiiiB1 tia1 ~ il'~ I l.IaRlIC! f~'o B; fe<J fReT f15a8t!' ~ f<l '1. <J!. 1J.. aKc1 ?i tlflB1 3' tl8B1 ,WI' -tloa", Be «aTlte 8el ~ Rll-aKc1l:!'i,a <la fB31 ~ filR a'>l3 '>Iil e 1JaB f<ril" fail iia ll; «KG1 BT >Tiwo 1Jaa'R3 ii ~fa'>!' il '>f3 ''>fa'!!l' 3' ''>1<1'81 3 1.J:BR1' '>f<l<fra; f<l<'5 f<rB' '>ITe Rile; 0'8 H;;!B' H3~;;r <J'>l3 );h;11~a1'>f8 <'511 t f<ril" ;;rr~i'iCf51 tl; feo;;rrIi<lC81 lIo"ij'l! O1ao' '>Ii! 3' aB <laB1'>f; <JO I RaT3; ~8' ll'iJii' '>f,~ B<J; f.'I')I'8; e <l!aKOJ '>13 €;:r; fU'>i'8 i '''is Rile i ~g' BIllH1 ftfo1"p ~/)! e '>f1.l?i o'~' ~oi '{01'R3 «131'>fi tjTCaT1'>f;, lie! €;:ri f.U'>!'81 B1'>1i ;;r1,,'0; f~B iie1'>!' 3«010; o;:r1' ""lI1'>f; tl'cc!l1",i I

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Mangal Singh 26-2-26

SOME COXF IDE NTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

197

116 From The Secretary. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. To The Secretary. Punjab Provincial Congress. Committee, Lahore. Amritsar Dated 13th March. 1926. No. Special / 3. Sir, There Is a balance of about R•. 14.000/· on account of Akali Prisoners' Relief Fund In your hand, As the accountS have to be ad justed and the money is needed, I shall be obliged If you wiU please pay the amount to S. Bhagat SinghJI Secretary Law Department (S.G.P.C.) on behalf of the S.G.P.C. He has been duly authorised to accept payment and give necessary receipt for the same. Yours sincerely. Mohinder Singh Sldhwan General Secretary S.G.P.C. Amritsar.

117 From Secretary Gurdwara Management Sub-Committee

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198

SOME CON FIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKA LI MOVEMENT

1Jt1 R: HUIO fFilll ill I'! Tfl?5\!ol, lJ.1H'0 a TEf' f01ilo fFilll Hl »!Tft101 RW IlTfl qv'~ o'v1' ijH! O1oTfe'>fl <ife»!T Al feR 1303 3 fe\' fij~ ;;013 ilfaJ'>fI iI'~ ;;TIlR fE3 THT~ I ii~ <'h r (1;;0 0113 Ole olO1T03 3' \J3T HOlT ij fer UTe? 301 a<.!3 IlTa Tqfll'>lT l;r011 ij I fev ..1 J:l1lO ;:sarT 0 fOi !jT~ti Hill Olao ~ fev a01H' ;;TlIll O1T31"1' o<JT' illeT»!', fell He1 "I'll ill t11 R;;T f;;'l lJ,'O!!OT ij fOi '>fill reo! RtR"' ~ "Illol ;;/%' ~fll"lT ;;'1lA 0100 erel f8lR" tiT fQ'OlI T83 T01<l 3 ii ';;011l0 <rRl' cR ii~ ;;1 ERe til ii'll'! 6aH'~el I t"A 118

HfiJea ffilll fRlI .. '

From S. Tara Singh, B. A., LL. B., M. L. C., Pleader, Moga, to General Secretary, S. G. P. C .. Amrit.ar. Moga, 15th April 1926. Dear Sardar Sah Ib, I thank you very much for putting me in ch.rge of the Law Department of the S. G. P. C. You h.ve .Iso written to me that I will receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 500/-. I believe that this Is a temporary appointment as S. B. wished to take rest on account of his illness. It Is really a difficult task to migr.te to Lahore for so short a period and upset my whole local work. S. G. P. C. has advertised for some lawyers. I am quite prepared to leave only if the S. G. P. C. appoints me a lawyer to conduct cases before the Tribunal on Rs. 1000/ - p. m. on the announcement of the personnel of the Tribunal. Before this I will only draw an allowance of Rs. 5001as decided by you. if my position Is safe and continuous. I shall have no hesitation. You had also told me that I would be given first chance for the appointment of a laywer on 1000/- but I would like to take my position legally safe so that I may be In a position to give my full time and energy to the work. Thus I will gain stability, continuity and certainty. I hope you realise my position. If I receive an order of appointment to this effect, as passed by your working Committee Which has full power, I will jo in next day. This .hould be made clear that I have been appointed by

SOME CONFI DENT IA L P APER S OF THE AK ALllJOVEMENT

199

S. G. P. C. lawyer on Rs. 1000/- but I will draw the salary only from the date of the announcement of the Tribunal and before that I w ill be given only Rs. 5001- as an allowance. On the receipt of your order, I will Join forthwith. Sincerely yours, Sd/- Tara Singh. 119

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Dal. But the Akalileaders saw in It a favourable opportunity for launching another morcha there to harass the Government with a three-pronged attack pressing for an early settlement with them (No. 166, p. 258 ; No. 175, p. 281; No. 186, p. 30 I). But the proposal was not pursued by the Government and the Shlromanl Gurdwar. Parbandhak Committee had no cause for launching anot~er

morcha.

Financial Difficulties of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. There was a very heavy dra in on the finances of the Committee during the Jaito and Bhai Pheru morchas when It had also to fight the Akall leaders' case (19L3-25) in the court In addition to pursuing several other legal c..es. At one stage It was feared that, for want of payments, their counsel, Ra izada Bhagat Ram of )ullundur, might refuse to render the legal assistance (Nos. 116-17, pp. 197-98; 132, p. 213 ; 164, pp. 251 -521. Several measures were, therefore, suggested to collect funds , Including a frva-.nn. appeal to the public and a request to Mahatma Gandhi for help (No . 173, pp . 277-78) _ In March . 1926, a request for a 'good contribution' to the Gurdwaras Defence Fund was made to H. H. Maharaja )agat)lt Singh of Kapurthala (No. 146-48, pp 223-24). Regarding sim ilar requests to other Sikh rulers, there is nothing on record there.

Differences between Akali leaders Differences had arisen between the leaders of the Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee over the scope of the Bill for the control of the Gurdwaras. These arc reflected in the letters wr itten from Inside the Lahore Fort to the members of the Working Committee at Amr ltsar, and in the correspondence exchanged between the Gener.1 Secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (April 19, 1926, No . 119) and Sard.r Mang.1 Singh (April 28, 1926, No. 120). It was eVidently due to these differences th.t Sard.r Mehtab Singh , President of [he Shiromani

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t()l:

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

203

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201

SO)!E CON FlDE>lTl AI. PA P ER S 0 1' TH E AKM .! MOVEMENT

<i-g' ft!OI ll'opfc;:!' >1HRT ,,13' fOl'>f' D f>1R f'?iJ 'l8Ll ~, <10 ,,5 a<1 liOl"fH,>!T milll woc o/-/- faf.!'.13 Ht!l f..<ior C/13' -jr"'>fT D fcR ll'a fo;;r fcu '.11 U3' cfN D fil KfilRc~c ~8 ' â&#x201A;Ź[<>! ~ fe<r <ifljl)fT ee :3 3iiR'

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122

ConEidential Lahore. 6th May 1926. S. Shagat Singh asked the Chief Secretary at II A. M. over the phone as to when he could see me. The reply came "whenever he comes". So I saw him at I P. M. I. He took notes regarding Kullar and K.huta Schools. told him that their grants in aid were stopped or detained owing to some workers of the school having taken part in entertaining the Shahidl Jathas etc. The Management has since changed hands. the Gurdwara Act had been passed and there was no earthly reason why grants should not be given and continued for the future. The Educational authorities had admitted in their remarks that the tone of the school had improved and that the Management Committees

were

constituted

good

men

and

were working in a

satisfactory manner. The D. C. wants the school workers to satisfy Saba Gurb.ksh Singh. He may be a friend of the Government. an Arch Sudh.rist and all that. but he. and his father before him. have been at Icnger heads with San gats and enemies of the

50}'!E COI'F lDEI'T JAL PArEIlS OF TI :E AT(A Ll MOVEMW';T

20.;

Singh Sabha Movement for the last forty years and we can never satisfy him. The Government may choose whether after the passage of the Gurdwara Act. it wants peace with people working the Act or war with them for the sake of Baba Gurbaksh Singh. The reply to this and other connected questions was that he shall look into the mI tter and all that could be don e will be done to help the schools if they were In favour of working the Bill. He said that departmental papers have been with the Governor and that the matter will be brought to his notice. ' 2. I showed a copy of letters to the Home Secretary and told him that double fines had been realized from 3 men of Chak No. 63 lhang Branch. Lyallpur District. He said that my letter had been sent to the Home Secretary on 22nd April. i. e.â&#x20AC;˘ only two weeks ago and that the name of the court was not mentioned and that must be the reason for the delay I n not sending me the reply. He said he shall write and expedite the matter but if I wanted the matter to be attended to at once I should 'furnish him with the name of the Court. 3. I told him that one Charan Singh of Tehsil Fateh-lang. Dist. Campbell pore. had suffered the sentence and yet his property had been recently attached. He asked me the name of his village. the Court by which he was convicted and 'the Court which has attached the property. I told him that Bhagat laswant Singh. my informant. had not furnished me with these details. He said. on details being furnished. steps will be taken to withdraw the proceedings. 4. I told him that proceedings were being taken against men for old offences before the passage of the Act. He said none will be taken. I told him yesterday Nand Singh of Amritsar Distt. was arrested for a Diw.n in Beas lIaqa. He asked me who had furnished me the information . I told him my friend Bhag.t l.swant Singh. He said he was not arrested yesterday but 10 days ago. His companions were arrested and convicted, he was absconding and had been arrested now in due course . when found.

206

SOME CO)(FIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AK ALl MOVEMENT

I told him that such prosecutions for old affairs after the passage of t~e Act only kept the bitterness alive. He said, he wlli write to the D. C. Amrltsar and tell him that Mehtab Singh wants the case to be withdrawn, what has he to say In the matter. He temotked that obviously there seemed to be no reason why the case should not be withdrawn. After this he asked me about my health and I told him that liver complaint has been now added to hernia. He wished me good health and recommended to me to . test at some hlll,tation after five years strenuous war with t!le Government. On coming out of the Chief Secretary's Office, S. Randh ir Singh of Kallaswalla, M. L. C .. met me coming out of the room of the Education Minister. He told me, "Sardar Sahib, in compliance with your cammands I have Just seen the Education Minister about the Kullat School and put the case before him very strongly. I have told him that the Sikhs of Kullar can satisfy any body but not Baba Gurbaksh Singh, their old enemy. The Education Minister has told me that he will write and tell this to the D. C. , and that the local pleaders and Raises at Rawalpindi should see the D. C. and tell him th is also". I thanked S. Randhir Singh and urged him to advance the case in future also and let me know what he Is doing In this matter. Mehtab Singh No. 687/5/C Member in charge. lahore, Dated 8th May 1926. Forwarded to the General Secretary S.G.P.C. for Information .

123 To HIS HIGHNESS MAHARAJA BAHADUR OF NABHA DEHRADUN

3S/C Your Highness nominated candidate for S. G. P. C. election.

s :nm

CO~FIDE~rr!\L

P APEll S 0[' T H S AKALI MOVEMENT

207

Your case being very specia' , am desired to enquire IF your Highness eccept nomination. Sender; Daul.t Singh, Missionary College , Amritsar.

124 Telegram MAHARAJA SAHIB BAHADUR OF NABHA DEHRADUN Reference previous telegram your Hlghne .. ' name proposed for Shlromni Committee. Your Highness case very special wire If your Highness accepts nomination. Shiromni Committee, Daulat Singh 38/C Missionary College, Amritsar. 24.5.26.

125 27. S. 26. To The Secretary,

S. G. P. C., Amritsar. Sir, Herewith I am sending the original copy of the statement Issued by S. Narain Singh Vakil of Gujranwala and myself as preliminary request to both parties in the Gurdwara movement now at Variance. You will kindly do the needful by publishing this statement broadcast and helping In the work of bringing about peace. Yours etc" etc., Teja Singh ProfeS5or. Khalsa College,

27. 5. 26.

SO~I.E CO~l'lDEN Tl AL PAPERS OF THE AKAL! MOV E MEN T

SEAl. No. 4143/ 16 Dt. 27.5.26. Press : Akal i. Akall·te·Pardesi. Desh Bhagat. 'her·e·Punjab. Tribune C and M gazette.

126 27.5. 1926.

STATEMENT In response to an Invitation by telegram sent to the Arbitrators. we two came together at the Khalsa College on the evening of 26th May 1926 to consider the advisability of adopting certain measures preliminary to the starting of actual work of arb itration. In order to prevent the aggravation of trouble and to create the necessary atmosphere of calmness and peac~. we th ink It ab~olutely essential to make the fo llowing request to the parties at variance :(I) The general election of the S. G. P. C. should be post· poned indefinitely. If the Arbitrators are unab le to give award with in 15 days of the first mee ti ng. the work of election may be resumed from the point where It was left. with the same list of elections registe red and candidates nom inated up to dat e. etc. (2) All party agitat ion. whether in press or Platform . should be suspended. In pursuance of this. we are wiring to the leaders present at the Diwan held at Sargodha to desi st from taking part In It or continue any propaganda against eac h other and a lso prevent men o f their parties from doing so. (3) All propaganda about hold ing the Sarbat Khalsa confer· ence shou ld be suspended. Teja Singh 27.5.26,

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

2O'l

127

WIRE For peace. general elections of Shiromnl Committee should be suspended. as also propaganda holding Sarbat Khalsa conference and party controversy in press and Platform. Suspend immediately partaking hostile party propaganda and prevent others of your . party from doing so. Announce this broadcast. A detailed statement handed over to Shiromni Committee. Akall Dal and Press. Teja Singh 27Âˇ5Âˇ26. Secretary Sikh Diwan Sargodha President Sikh Dlwan Sargodha Giani Sher Singh S. B. Mehtab Singh S. Amar Singh Jhabal Cavesselur Baba Gurdit Singh Press.

128 From The Deputy Commissioner. Amritsar. To The Secretary, Shlromani Gurdwara Committee. Amrltsar. No. 74 of 15. 6. 1926.

Dear Sir, In confirmation of our conversation this morning, I write to thank you for promise that no bod,es of Sikhs would be despatched to Rawalpindi to help the Sikhs there. I am Informed from official sources that the situation at Rawalpindi is well In hand and that order has now been restored. You will agree with me that the despatch at the present moment of any bodies of Sikhs to the scene of the riot would merely aggrevate feelings Without helping to restore the peace. which. as I have said, Is assured.

210

SO~I.E

CONFIDEN TIAL PAPE RS OF THE AKALI MOV E MENT

I would be glad if you would inform me If you Intend to take any action contrary to your assurances given this morning. and I would be ooliged if you would inform the Sikhs of Amritsar city that they should remain quiet and await news from responsible sources.

129 42 C D. C. Amritsar. With referenc~ to your letter No. 74 dt. 15. 6. 1926 I have the honour to Inform you that S. G. P. C. on hearing of the heart rending news from Rawalpindi wanted to send medical aid for the wounded. but on the receipt of message on phone from there that the situation was reassuring and that no aid was necessary in that way. It dropped that idea. Besides this. the S. G. P. C. never Intended to send any jathas from here nor It intends now to do so. Mohinder Singh Sldhwan General Secretary. 18.6. 1926.

130 "'(3 ir~o1

1l<i30' 1l>f<JtI. d1;Jalil i?1"'?i "3 F!c0'5 ill''!.' t!l<1'n Il'~ t!G3iJ f?";J fioly.,l ~ ff'1I ;fg' '>Iil til al! ~ I{ll>f<il5 3lt3 ll'f'1ll 3 <I!I1l' Be t!1l>f'3 f'<il ;:)81 di! ~81 ~. il fffi f'<>! 031 30' ",11l;J'E1 () '>1111' ~ iiO' "(i15 '>f'l/ f~ aO' ~n' '>fl/"(i' tl031 .. :.rail IlHS'e u' fa fea filUl <i1O''''el U!Ill tlaiit!l 5el ml3 ul"(il<i1iJa Il~ ul 3 !jll>fa'5 3lt3 Il'futl t!l fJ~ a ;fill i?1 fea 50' fHll'5 <i1feH a il'~i!Il. Âť!3 ft1~ t!1 ii'>ft!tll "3 1;!n lICJ 'l!' <:1 '>f'l/ ;f/%' ul ~HfS'llfT tI'~ al' 1 '>f'll ~ l>ffilil fIJH'''''O' ;:m .rs' fea filulll"!Ill l>f,!5i t!' ~ aO'n

·SOME CONFIDENTIA·L ·PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

""51 i5/"''1'~l t!' ;jcl i5/€ ~1 flWu/' tiial ('i<Jl·

ffilt!'

Iil! '>I'll r~a "f'~'t.I (!o'~OI' 1 . B f~<J }l1!O ¥ol :! 3 1 "f'll Il '~ 3all' f~'€? fer '>I'll m<Jl Cf'CJ?Iel 0'11' 5c ~Bll>f3 II' '11 '>I'll t!1 f~ B<Jl

211

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~5' ~~1 fea cr'a~'el era?;

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O'era rRUl tl0il5 Flc!3a, ii. '>Icr'81 t!B, Rl.. lIifH3F1a ... I

131

7-7-26.

PRESS COMMUNIQUE No: Unfair advantage has always been taken of the silence adopted by the S. G. P. C. over certain matters in view of the panthic weifare. Communications ·verbal and in writing have taken place directly or indirectly between the Government officials and the workers of the S. G. P. C. to obtain the unconditional release of the Gurdwara Reform prisoners still in Jail. The S. G. P. C. has observed silence because its attempts did not fructify owing to certain causes for which the responsibility does not lie on its 'sho'ulders. Sir John Maynard once .before and a second time now has spoken words in the Punjab legislative Council which -have created a good deal of misunderstanding in the minds of the Sikh public. A number of communications have been received by the S.G.P.C. workers from the members the public, who do not understand

212 SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI ltOVEMENT

the tactical show that Sir John Maynard has tried to create in favour of the Government at the expense of certain worke(s of the S. G. P. C. There is n~ truth whatsoever in the statement that the Government is not releasing the remaining prisoners in order merely to protect the honour of S. B. Mehtab Singh and his colleagues. As a matter of fact. the S. G. P. C. has assured the Government in various ways that the release of prisoners will strengthen the hands of the present workers In working the Gurdwara Act and will not cause any obstruction to It. As a sample. the folloWing letter placed in the hands of His Excellency the Governor of Punjab on 27th April 1926 by Sir Ganga Ram will show the real state of things and the position taken up by the S.G.P.C. workers all along with regard to the release of prisoners : My dear Sir Ganga Ram. In con~lnuatlon of our conversations and in response to your

express desire for the release of the reSt of the Gurdwara prisoners including Sardar Kharak Singh. I wish to tell you that you may assure His Excellency the Governor on behalf of the S. G. P. C. through me that the Gurdwara Act is being Sincerely and wholeheartedly worked by our Committee and that the release of the above-mentioned prisoners. far from obstructing the proper working of the Act. will strengthen our hands and further facilitate the working of the Act by satisfying Sikh feelings. I do. therefore. earnestly deSire that the Government would release the prisoners as soon as pOSSible. Yours Sincerely. Mehtab Singh for the President S. G. P. C. The comment on this letter is unnecessary. The S. G. P. C_ has very unwillingly published this letter to satisfy the mlsundernanding created by the speech of Sir John Maynard now a second time. The Sikh public should be on Its guard and should not be misled by speeches like this made by the Government members

SO~E

CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEMENT

•

In order to carryon its deliberate Sikh situation.

213

policy With regard to the

Secretary, Shiromnl Gurdwara Parbandh.k Committee, Amritsar. Dated Amritsar 7.7.26.

132

ii'll1:ill.'sll11l11

ii: B'l/Rl/4-t:

3 Tarn 4 '>IOIR3, 'tt'::1e. >{lffTo Cia! ue ,)30 il'st!'a fllf<JII R: \I;Jor MUI til,

\laH forau'B' til, '>f'U ftla "3' t1\1~ R<J'O aa ii, '>fQf1B' l[cJ\I t!w ora for '>fIu;:r.} C!)ali'l <Jlfal>fi ...l'>fi '>fIW R~ <Ii'! I '>ITA ~ fe<'i' QIlV f.l~' 31 '>fl\j ;hl <)1 R<Jl Ro;'ff31 0'1'5 ijT<Ja '>fT ~ lie ...1 fllOlal <J'B'3 ~ f!318at I >{lH'i'i til, '>flU ill ~ \l3 T<J1 ~ for '>flU BoTH ;t. <!!. IJ.. l'!. B 't'tteet-~o-'t ~ -e fii«R;r ll'lUlfiR <In I Hilt!' u'B'3 f~ l'i. or. B gra U1i!ii \loti B't'1 3 \IOEI!! f.l" »I' aa ~' '!!OtI'>ITfal>fi 3 ~~i t!l tlTft't!'t! t!l f!;;'IB'O' 8'<'1 »It! orB' HTft''>IT ...1 il~a3 ~ I ftla 3' 1iI3n Al for '>fl\j til ~ rHO; ~ fe<'ii ll'llllf;;cR ua '>f3 ft'n: As!!l 8;;1'B orl:aTt.!' 3 t!mI3 oro~l B'E tI'<! \10 jiii' 0 ' fHS AfOlllll I ii <rc »IIU ill t!1 R~' f~ R: '>foilo fRUI ill u'tla ~ar I R '>fIll ill g forou' ora ~ t.!gol or' o~'l!l orao ...1 iitlB' '''lw€lill '>fl1.I til -e e1RR<Jl/'IR3'a ff!U/ ~orfiar t{!I·o ,!f<JEo MUI, tI(m~ Ri'l.. 133

Agreement between Hiudu. and Sikh. regarding Bbai Pheru We the representatives of the Sikhs and Hindus parties in

214 SOME CONFI DENTI AL P APERS OF THE' AKA LI MOVEME N'1"

Counc il do agree that Bhai Pheru is a Sikh Gurdwara ana sHould .remaln in schedule No. I. No amendment will be moved against its remaining in schedule I. The Sikhs agree that when the whole case of property pertain ing to this Gurdwara has been finally decided in view of the undertak ing they have given In the Council for the preservation of Smadhs, they wilt be prepared to separate the Smadh from the Gurdwara proper and hand It over to the Udasls. This document Is to be kept secret till that time.

134 The undertaking given to the S.G.P.C. by the Sikh candidates bolore their election a$ M.L.C.

I solemnly declare that : .(a) I shall abide by the mandate of the S.G.P.C. with regard to all matters placed before the Punjab legislative Council concerning the welfare of the Panth or of the Community and If necessary I shall res ign my seat. (b) I shall not accept any post in or under the Government . without the permission of the S.G .P.C., or try to derive any benefit from my pOSition In the Punjab legislative Council for myself or my relatives. (c) If for any reason, at any time, I find myself unable to carry out themandate of the S.G.P.G., I will resign my seat. (d)

I shall conform to the cond it ion of being an orthodox Amritdhari and wear the Sikh symbol, Klrpan, as required to be kept by the .members .of the S.G .P.C. under the . Commlttee.'s rule No. 7. . . . Sd/- Candidate.

iOME COr-;FI DENTJAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

215

135 The Private Secretary. to His Highness the Maharaja Sahib. Patlala. Dear Sir. There are various matters pending before the Shiromnl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee wh ich have connection with Patiala State. The affair reo Malval Bunga at Amritsar. Bunga In Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpore Sahib and the London Gurdwara are some of these besides other Important matters. In my opinion a meeting between His Highness the Maharaja Sahib Bahadur of Patlala and some of t he workers of the S.G .P.C. will facilitate the settlement of these matters. If you can therefore arrange an interview for the purpose. Sardar Kartar Singh Diwana. Captain Ram Singh .(both of Patiala State) myse~f and one or two other of my colleagues will come over to Patiala to meet His Highness to discuss matters. I shan feel obliged for any early reply. Yours faithfully. Mehtab Singh Dt. -4-2-1926.

136Âˇ 16-2-26 REPORT OF INTERVIEW of The Representative of the S.G.P.C. with H.H. the Maharaja Bhupendra Singh Sahib of Patlala on 16-2-26.

I. The Interview lasted for about -4 hours from 2 P.M. to 6 P.M . His Highness treated us w ith great courtesy and discussed all the matters at length and In frank manner . .2. After some prelim inary remarks about the relations of the Phulklan States and especially of Patlala with the Panth. His Highness proceeded to discuss the Malwal Bunga case. We explained how the

216

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

S.G.P.C. had liberated a great de,l of the property of Bung> from people to whom It had been alienated and entrusted and endoY'ed by the Phulkian States and Wishes to manage It for the benefit of the public. At first His Highness was very reluctant but at last .greed provisionally that a document should be drawn up declaring the Bungas as having been endowed by the Phulkian State for the benefit "f the public and that the right of appointing the manager was vested In Phulklan States and that the S.G.P.c. may be appointed as the manager to manage the Bunga and Its property according to 3n agreed scheme of management. His Highness said that the final decision would be made In the next interview sanctioned In the first week of March or there abouts.

3. Kelgarh Sahib. The jagir of Kesgarh Sah ib and the Patl.la Bunga. Anandpur. had been withheld for the last many years. On our asking for its renew.1 and the payment of arrears. His Highness ordered the papers to be called for and assured us that all the dues would be paid and the jaglr renewed. ~. Kartarpur Sahib protection work.. High Highness assured us that he would pay the S.G.P.C. the bal.nce of donation of Rs. 2.25 .000/. orlginaly granted by him for the protection works. 5. London Gurdwara. We explained to His Highness that although we had received an application for affiliation from the Khalsa jatha London. the S. G. P. C. was not Inclined to take the responsibility of completing the building and maintaining the Dharamsala as the S. G. P. C. could not afford the funds necessary for keeping It in proper condition worthy of the Institut ion. The refore. we requested His Highness to take the responsibility and supply the fin ances. His Highness seemed dis-satisfied With the behaviour and activities of some of the persons who had been on the management. and said that he told them that he would withdraw his name and stop all financial ald. His Highness. however. agreed to continue his help and connection. if the Dharamsala was properly managed. He Wished to consult once more the Board 01 Trustees. some of whose members are Sardar Man Singh, Vakil. Sardar

SO,IE GONFlDE);T1AL PAPERS OF"THE AKALI MOVEMENT

217

Basheshar Sing!\, etc., and to let us know his definite decision in the next meeting. "6. We remineded His Highness of his Ardas of Rs.40,OOO/at the time of Âˇ Kar SelVa, which had not been yet paid. His Highness anknowledged it as a debt to the Guru which he considered a duty to pay, and said that he would do so after settling the annual budget and the retrenchment proposals under consideration.

7. Control of State Gurdwaras: His Highness admitted that it was his duty to improve and systemise the management of Gurdwaras within the state. He would try to make the management as good as possible, but he would not allow any outsld e Interferences In his state. 8. Central Board; We requested that for the Central Board the Durbar may nominate a fair proportion of persons who .commanded the confidence of the Sangat of the State. His Highness was very sensitive on this point and said that he would not agree to creating a precedent for encroaching upon his powers of an absolute ruler. At the same rime His Highness complained of the inadequacy of the representation given to the State. On our pressing, he (agreed to) discuss It With his cabinet. 9. We then appealed to His Highness to assuage the hearts of his Sikh subjects and the Panth by ordering the release of all prisoners in the State connected with the Gurdwar. movement, now that the Act has been passed. His Highness very graCiously and promptly said to Sardar Bah.dur "Alright, brother, I release them". His Highness was kind enough not to make any stipulations. On the contrary on our repuest he agree to most favourably consider the question of restoring confiscated rights and privileges, if any, to these persons. In our presence His Highness commanded the Private Secretary to ask the Home Secretary to present a full list of such . prisoners the next day and take the orders of His Highne .. . before evening. We told His Highness that we could not stay at Patlala another day on which His Highness assured us that orders would certainly be Issued the next day and we need have no anxiety. We

2 18

SOME CON F IDE NTTAL PAPERS OF TH E AKALI MOVE MENT

expressed our gratitud e to His Highness for th is prompt and pleasing response to our appeals. In this connection we migh t mention that His Highness bitterly complained t hat the Akalis in the State have been carrying on political propaganda against him . We replied that was not one of the objectives of the S.G .P.C. nor In any way connected with Its programme of Gurdwara Reform. The S.G. P.C. could In no way be respons ible for the act lo.ns of any irresponsib le individuals. But we have no doubt in our minds that the persons whose release we have asked for are genuine Gurdwara pr isoners and not connected with conducting any propaganda against His Highness . 10. At the end of the conve rsat ion His Highness said that after the fall of the La hore dynesty. the Ph ulkian States have been the foremost Sikh power and compla ined that yet some of the old $tanding phrases and expressions about his ancestors used In t he every morning Ardasa while offering Karah Parshad for Patlala rulers at Ha r mandar Sahib and Mukatsar Sahib had been dropped without any reason. and that this hurt his feelings . We assured His Highness that we did not know anything about It and that the S.G.P.C . would make enqUiries and take necessary action. Then His Highness asked us If S.G.P.C. would have any objection to his constructing a suitable bUilding for th e Gurdwara Retha Sahib In U.P. We said. apparently there could not be any objection by anybody to this religiOUS service by His Highness. II. His Highness mentioned that some local Sikhs of Moga Were agitating aga inst the Khalsa School the; e endowed by His Highness for the benefit of Sik h population there. and that If they had any grlevonces. they ought to have approached His Highness first. We said t hat we would request Sardar Tara Singh. M.L.C .â&#x20AC;˘ to personally see His Highness and place the views of the local Sikhs before His Highness. Sardar Tara Singh has been Informed about It. After so me ex pressions of mutual cordiali ty. we took leave of His Highness and left Patlala the same night. Mehtab Singh Kartar Singh Diwana No. 21 t C filed Bawa Harkishan Singh. 26-3-26.

138 LIST OF AKALI PRISONERS CONFINED IN THE SUBSIDIARY JAIL! BHATINDA. Sr. No.

Name of prisoner with 'p arentage and res idence.

Age.

Crime

I24!A I.P.C.

Total Sentence.

Rema ining Sentence.

Date of Release.

I yr. 2 m. 26 d.

2.2.84

FI Sentence In lieu ne offine. Rs. 500/.

9 months

Property confiscated or not.

Shamsher Singh s/o Dharam Singh of Nagri (Sangrur)

Bhagwan Singh slo Rur Singh of Longowal P. S. sunam .

Dlwan Singh slo Khem Singh of Gidri P. S. Payal.

Mehar Singh sio Prem Singh of Charnaba P. S. Sunam .

Kehar Singh s/o Anokh Singh of !alpura P. S. Payal.

2.2

Chanan Singh s/o Hazura Singh of Jalpura P. S. Payal.

Sant Singh s/o Kishan Singh of

Gurmakh Singh s/o Kahala Singh of Dalellngwala P. S. Mansa.

2. yrs. 6 months.

do do

Pakhar Singh s/o Jawahir Singh P.S . Dlrbha

6 month

10.

Kahan Singh slo unknown of P. S. Dirbha

not confiscated

II.

Panjab Singh s/o Khazan Singh (Sangrur State.)

12.

Gurmakh Singh s/o Hira Singh of Nldampur P. S. Bhawan lgarh .

13.

Hazura Singh s/o Harnam Singh of Mauran P. S. Mansa.

14.

Partap Singh s/o Budh Singh Residence

Patlala

3 yrs.

9 m. 23 d.

29.8.83

Im.12d .

18.12.82

Now undergoing sentence In lieu of fine do

9 months

3 months more for jail offence.

15..

Pritam Singh s/o Kishan Singh of Gaiar.

16.

Gurmakh Singh s/o Gu rdit Singh of Di r bha P. S. Dirbha.

17.

Amar Singh s/o Lehna Singh of Bhawanigarn

6 months

2 m. 17 d.

23. 1 83

18.

Kanala Singh slo Dhaba Singh of Ga lurmajra P. S. Bhawanigarh.

9 months

3 m. 13 d.

23.2.83

jaglr Singh s/o Unknown P. S. Bhawanigarh.

of Beguwal

6 Months more for Jail offence.

6 mths.

188/ IPC

unknown.

19.

Confiscated

Remarks.

IHA/IPC

Rs. 200/Âˇ

Rs. 1001 do

4 months do

do do

Now undergoing sentence in lieu of fine.

R. R. D.

M. S. ( U. S. )

20.2.26

25.2.1926.

2 m. 17 d.

23 . 1.83

SOME CONFIDENTIAL P APERS OF THE AKALl MOVEME NT 219 '

137 17-2-1926

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139 D.O. No. 3968/P Patiala. C.F. 2nd March. 26. Ill C 13-3.26. Dear Sir, I acknowledge your confidential letter of the 25th ~ebruary 1926. His Highness is leaving for Central India this week , It is,

2:!O SO~1E CO:-l fID S:-ITI AI. PA P E RS OF TH E Af( ALl M JVE E ~f :-l r

consequently, I regret to state, not practicable to fix a date for Sardar Bahadur S. Mehtab Singh's Interview ti ll His Highness' return to Patiala In the last week of this month , Kindly request S.B.S. Mehtab Sing hj i to come on the 29th March for an audience at Patiala. Yours truly, (Sd) Rafiq M. Khan Private Secretary Patiala. To Sardar MOh lnder Singh Sidhwan Secretary, The Sh iromn i Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee,

Amritsar.

140 Copy of the letter to the Private Secretary to His Highness the M'a han ja of Patiala. 13/ C Dated 19-3-26. With reference to your letter No. 3968/P Dt. 2-3-26. I have the honour to say that an important meeting of the General , Committee of the S.G.P.C. has been fixed for the 28th inst. and may be prolonged to 29th. I will be exceed ingly obliged if you very ' kindly bring this to the notice of His Highness the Maharala Sahib Sahadur and arrange for another date for the Interview with His Hlghness_ Hoping to he excused for the trouble and to be favoured with an early reply. Yours sincerely. Mohlnder Singh General Se~nnr)' Please address on the follOWing Mohinder Singh Sidhwan, Co Pardesi Malwa Press. Amrltsar.

SOME CO)lFIDEN TIAL PAPERS OF THE AK ALI MOVEMENT

221

141 No. 5377jP

Patlala. 27th March, 1926.

Dear Sir, With reference to your letter 13/C dated the 19th March I have the honour to reply that His Highnes~ - the Maharaja Adhira, will be pleased to give your Committee an interview on the 4th or 5th of April next. Kindly let me know beforehand the t ime and date of your arrival at Patiala. Yours truly, (sd) Rafiq M. Khan Private Secretary. Patlala. To S. Mohlnder Singh Sldhw.n C/o Malwa Pardesi Press, Amr it .. r. File 22jC 30·3·26.

142 The Private Secretary. To His Highness the Maharaja·Adhiraj. Patial •• 1st April. 1916.

23/C With reference to your letter No. 5377/P dated the 27th of March 1926, I have the honour to inform you that Sardar Bahadur Sardar Mehtab Singh. Sardar Kartar Singh Dewana, Sawa Harkl.han Singh. Captain Ram Singh and one or two other gentlemen will reach Patiala by 9 A.M. train on the 5th of April 1926 for an Interview-with

222

SOME CONFIDENT IAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

His Highness the Maharaja Adhlraj. Yours sincerely. M. Singh Sidhwan General Secretary, Shiromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Amritsar. Address for further correspondence : Mohlnder Singh Sidhwan. Ram Chandee Court, Cooper Road. Amritsar.

143 From Sardar Arbel Singh. Secretary, Gurdwara Committee Kapurthala To Sardar Bahadur Mehtab Singh. President. S. G. P. C. Randhir College. Kapurthala, 20th February, 26. My dear Sardar Sahib, S. Dalip Singh was here yesterday and he duly conveyed to the Chief Minister your desire to see His Highness the Maharaja Sahib Bahadur. The Chief Minister has directed me to Inform you that His Highness will be pleased to see you on the forenoon of Thursday the 4th March. It would be advisable for yourself and friends to reach here some time on the evening of 3rd March. Kindly acknowledge the receipt of this letter by the first mail, and also please Inform me of the names of the friends who wiU accompany you here and the time by which you will be arriving. With good WI~ .. es. 6/C 22. 2. 1926. S. B. S. Mehtab Singh , Baw. Harkishan Singh. Bhal Payara Singh 2nd S. Balwant Singh will be coming to have an interview with H .H. on 4, 3. '926.

SOM E CONF IDE NT IAL PA PERS OF THE AI<ALl MOVEMENT 22;1

144 From General Secretary S. G. P. C . To Prof. Arbel Singh JI, M. A., Randhi r College, Kapurtha la. 25th February.

Dear Sir, Thanks for your letter dated 20t h February 1926. In reply 1 have the honour to inform you that the following gentlemen will leave Amritsar by Calcutta Mail on the 3rd of March 1926, and will alight at Jullundur City ;S. B. S. Mehtab Singh Bawa Harklshan Singh, M. A. Bhal Piara Singh Sardor Balwant Singh and one or two other gentlemen.

145 D. O . From Sardar Arbel Singh to S. B. Mehtab Singh. Rand h Ir College, Kapurt hala, 13. 4. 26. My dear Sardar Bahodur, The Diwan Sahib Is not in Kapurthala As soon as he returns he re I w ill speak to him on the subject. I happen to know that the thing will be decided on o r about the 16th. So I shall wr ite to you on the 17th or about. I trust It shall be as you desi re. W ith good w ishes. 24/C

146 From S. Mohlnder Singh Sldhwan , General Secretary S.G.P.C. To Prof. Arbel Singh, Kapurthala.

Confidential l2nd March My dear Professor Sahib . I am sending herew ith by special messanger a fornial letter

224

SOME CO NFIDENTIAL-PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

addressed to His Highness reo the Gurdwaras' Defence Fund . with covering letter for the Diwan Sahib. Kindly have these delivered and try to get us a very favourable and early reply, if possible before the 26th. Bawa Harklshen Singh will stay for a few days waiting your reply with interest.

147

Confidential. Fn.m S, Kartar Singh Diw3na, President S. G. P. C. To Khan Bahadur Diwan Abdul Hamid Sahib, M. A., O. B. E., C. I. E., Chief Minister, Kapoorthala. ISJC 22nd March (26) My dear Diwan Sahib. May I request you to kindly present the enclosed letter to His Highness and get his orders at your earliest convenience. for I understand that His Highness Is going abroad very shortly 1 Under the commands and with the full approval of His Highness you have so often during the past five years exerted yourself in the Interests of Gurdwara Reform and Panthic welfare and have brought credit upon the Kapoorthala State. I do hope that you will also cry your best now to get a good contribut ion for the sacred object of the Gurdwar.sÂˇ Defence Fund. which m.y inspire other benefactors with emulation.

Thanking you in anticipation. Yours sincerely, Sd/- Kart.r Singh Diwana PreSident. Shiromani G. P. Committee.

148

Confidential

From S. .Kartar. Singh Diwana President S. G . P. To His Highness Shrl Mahar.j. Jagatjit Singh Sahib, Bahadur. G . C. S. 1:, G. C. I. E.â&#x20AC;˘ Kapurthala. 14/e 22nd March (26) May it please your Highness, A number of representatives of the S. G. P. C. h.d an Interview

SOME CONF IDEN TIA L PA PERS OF TilE AKA Ll MO VE MEN T

225

with your Highness the other day In order to convey to your Highness the deep appreciation of the S. G. P. C. of the great sympathy evinced by the Kapoorthala Darbar for the reform of the Sikh Gurdwaras and for the consistent efforts made by the Oarbar to help In the solution of the Gurdwara problem and to bring about amicable relations between the Si kh community and the British Government. They also brought to the kind notice of your Highness the fact that very large funds would be reqUired by the S. G. P. C. to prosecute and defend lawÂˇsuits and proceedings regard ing the numerous Gurdwaras and endowments that are to be brought under Panthic control according to the provisions of the Gurdwara Act and that the S. G. P. C. had opened a Gurdwaras' Defence Fund for the purpose solely and wished that the beginlng shou ld be made by your Highness. Your Highness very kindly assured our representati ves of your desire to help In this Important matter. May I hope t hat your Highness will be pleased to make a contribution worthy of the great House of Baba Jassa Singh and favour me with a reply before Your Highness leaves India 1 I may be permitted In the end to thank your Highness for the courteous and cordial reception given by your Darbar to our representatives.

149 From Sardar Bahadur Mehtab Singh, President S.G.P.C. To Sardar Bahadur Indar Singh , Farldkot. No.2/C My de.r Sard.r Bah.dur II, I and some of my co-workers on the S.G. P.C. wish to meet and discuss ma tters concerning the Panthlc welfare with you. I shall feel obliged if you will kindly fix some place, date and t ime after Shahldl rair Nankana (nnd Instant) at which we could see and talk over matters with you . You rs very sincerely. Sld- Mehtab Singh

13-2-26.

226

SOME CONI'IDENTJAL PAPEt<S OF THE AKA LI MOV E l>lli)lT

150

Confidential

D.O. No. 2828-U

From Sardar B.h.dur Indar Singh. To S. B. Hehatab Singh, President. S.G.P.C. F.ridkot. Dated the 21st February, 1926. Dear Sir,

In acknowleding receipt of your letter N,. 21C dated 13-2.1926 I regret that I am unable to invite you and your conferers to visit

Faridkot State as it might be misinterpreted. the State being under minority. Yours sincerely,

Indar Singh. 9jC

CfF Noted_

151

Confidential. From Sardar Bahadur Mehtab Singh. President S. G. P. C. To the President. Farldkot State. Farldkot. 25th March (26) 19j C In continu.tion of the Previous correspondence I beg to say that the representatives of the S. G. P. C. desire to see you with the express object of securing the release of Akali prisoners now in

Faridkot jail in connection with the Gurdwara Reform Movement of which S. G. P. C. had been advocate and the custodian. The object of the interview being open. express and above board. no possible misunderstanding can arise by your granting such an interview and

nor does the minority of His Highness the Maharaja Sahib Bahadur affact the matter in question in one way or the other as the Akalis in question were convicted and are being detained in the State

SOME CONFIDEN TH L PAPERS OF TIlE A1<ALl ~IOVCMCNT

227

Jails during the tenure of the council of Administration of which you are the President. Hoping that you will very kindly consider the matter and send a favourable reply to my request.

152 To The President. Shlromanl Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Amrltsar. Dear Sir,

Keeping in view the political pl ight of the country and having great regard for the S. G. P. C's services to the Public. I hereby promise that I will not sell foreign cloth fifteen days from hence. I further promise that in future I will rigidly corry out the wishes of S. G. P. C. In this behalf. Yours faithfully, Sd l NaslrÂˇudÂˇdln

Manager. I st Nov. 30.

Muslim Cloth House. Lahore.

153 Amritsar,

12.3.1934. My dear Kishan Singh Ji, I wrote to you an urgent letter a few days ago to come and help me In Patlala Inquiry, but you have not replied yet. Bundles of urgent and valuable papers are reaching me. I believe we shall be able to sack the devil of Patlala. The only thing needed Is reliable friends to arrange the papers, S. Thakar Singh has not (ome so f~ r. The inpulry committee has been delayed by two days and tney will reach on 15th Morning. We hope your boy will be out of danger till then. Even If there be some danger to the life of the boy, you can leave him for the sake of the Panth and entrust him to God 's care. You can well imagine my plight, I am surrounded

228

SOME CO !<FIDENTJAI. PAP ERS OF TilE. AJ<ALI MO VEME !'IT

by persons' whom I cannot trust, whil st I am In a position to strike a (atal blow at the enemy of the Panth. if some paper is lost, you will certainly be blamed (or not coming to my rescue In time. Kindly see your way to come and stay here (or a fortnight.

Yours sincerely, Sd/- Tara Singh Certified to be true copy Sd/- Kishaon Singh Master Kapurthala. signed in my presence. Ganda Singh Director o( Archives. 28.4.56.

155

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154 Copy of entry No. 86 from the Jaglr Register pertaining to Shaheed Gunj Lahore Distt.

Details of Jagheer

Description of present holder

I~-I

Description

etc.

20 Opinions

of Grant

Sr. No.

Name

Age

Caste

F.ther's name

Residence

Tolooqah and Purgnah

Name of Estimated village or annual quantity of value \ land or r number of wells

Cash allowance

Total of land and cash

I -

Jeewan Singh

Note;

Chagah Singh ~ Rora

Jeewan Singh is a Granthl In charge of a Sikh Institution called the Shaheed Gun) in the Suburbs of Lahore.

Shahid Ganj, Zilla Lahore.

Talooqa Purgna Lahore.

Claimed by Halidar. Hoonde Gu)ran 2 Ghoos 3 Kanals (2 Acres) obtained by measurement

He holds Village and land valued at an estimated amount of R,. 650/- of which Rs. 150/- worth of land has been maintained in perpetuity.

2 Ghoose 6 Kanals 8 Marla,.

Name of original , granter.

Claimed grant Sardar Lehna Singh Bhungee.

Date 0 Name o( original gaurante. origin, and the state of occupancy with relationship of grant suecessive occupants. ~

Nature of Grant.

Abstract of Sund or possession.

About a century.

Original gaurantee Chagah Singh 50 years. Jeewan Singh the present incumbent 50 years.

Explanatory remarks with detail of shares.

eVidence as to

Endowment support of. Gurdwara at Shaheed Gan).

No Sund Is produced but the Village Lamardar attests the possession on from half a century. The Lambardar states this to be a grant of Sardar Fateh Singh Ahluwalia made SO y.ars .go.

Of the settlement Officer:

Ofthe Commissioner

Of the Financial Commission.

Gurdit Singh Sharer.

This land ha, been held maf for a long period. Hr. Davis recommen<led that It should be maintained in perpetuity, for the support of the Gurdwara.

I would grant in prepetuity for support of the Gurdwara.

I concur. Sd. J. lawrence.

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SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKAL! MOV EMENT

231

31 @ol g- fel'l ~l'l ,,' aT", f3'>1'o l'l13' 1I,!'@e ,,1 f"@'3 fe<J 'R"lel fl'l tisl mUll t!' ill!' 35~ 8'lelo .. 8' '>I'~ I ,:!8"il €t?jt fi T;io ~ilIll 1 ?; H'oo fa~ \1<J '>I<ii' i/Ul31",1 lI' ii lif<J ,Fe :3 H'er tI'o:! I 1I8"'" \10 - ... a qS H'~ilIl, ~ i33e lI'i'! aN' '1:er8"l tlli' ("'<[ tlS') S'eUC <R!l'l "1,,,; iirol'>1i ara"'>1'3 >i/"o liB' B~ I ;OJ <1a ..l lI8'" Hl'l'li8' l'lOo 8\!1 '>I,~ -3i ~'" fi 1l53a' (,pari) e 3a 3al ar~ 6fl'l'e ill'! I fi liel 5e1 lll'llH »1Q",'a f~' <Jl 5fe"fT ~el 0'3 f~ 0 ~ a~ 8CT liar tiS'l fRUli ~ a8"~ 8 'el,,1 ell ~ ;OJ''l'o' artl'fe'>l' I liR i:a l'l1 III 1I8"R1 or3 €I,,' ?; "a30 .h1 I €to! ~U/31'>1i lI' 8el'>l' I \f8'" 3 ~o! fi H'er,,' F,!g l'ler F113' 3 li<;!3 H'Fer'>f1 I ~a ~~ lI'i! ~a8"l Hi; ~ !R lie <l!er~a'a B "ij3.e iiF,,€' li'ahri faB' ,,1 >ilea5 mUli ~ l'lel'l ,,1'>1i iial'>fi "a3' Ft!'31'>f1 I e", uri! a8 f01~cl 3 li;l f"'lI'<Jl ~ Illel H'erl, €tlla' '!:S' ,!8",'e ella '>f'e I '>f3 '1:<181 tf!j, <;1'! fa<J8' ii Far'>l' Ill, fe", 8\!1 fell Hil 3 '>Il'l8tl'0 (fi~) R!>'8" 8"e :3 '>IFlll'l'ol' ~ r:iiill3' '>I~",rcr ;::i tl' ..0'3' fif3' '>f3 '>I'll Il'a IJ:~ Fol'l8 ore I f"o "F3'>1' 3i '>IR1' ElFtI"', Fl'l l'lell18"Rl'>1; ~ uc1'>1 i lill1'>11 5el'>li Flo I 1!8R ~ 0'3 ", <1<;13 01"" Rl, Fe", 8el f~ "'!O Il'o \f8"FI ~ li'<Jo ,,1..'0 '>fIlS'o fi wo' lI' f8'>1' '>f3 ,,1"'0 f.." ii3 MUI' ;;1' lI''!l 3l'l ii" l'l3 Ft!'3' I ~i! f"o li'<Ja' ;;11..'0 '>IRa'o -3 '>Ili~ lI'o t!' ~ar lic' ",1 I fe", 5el <l!3~'>f,ij .,j'BO"5 ffl'uli ~ l'l3'<J l{w" ,,1 ear f3'>1'er <1131 I fel'l ~ Il'a liri fa" a'3 ,,1 '>Irell'lcl'l "l'>fi '!:S' ie/51'>fi (~arc1>w) f3'>1'CI l'l3 & ijoi lI' f;;131'>1 i I '>f-3~:3 l'l3'<J 1{f.!'" lI' f\!3 1 I ftl'>fTC? fe<J R1 fl'l l!'<Ja'"5 'lC?FI1 wi! fat! '>f'e FffUi li",m1'>fi ~ '>1\101 ~t'a \lao' l'l3 <5coJ I lICI 'l51l ?i Il: Ojaf,,'>f'5 MUI '>ff",,,,~' e »f01KfoRitca o'!>' e <;!l'lH 0'5 €t<J eill "la'o '>1'1<1'0 3 01 1!iR': fe"31 I l'l3'<:1 l{1:1''' 3' flio' <Jl '>fii.,- lI'o t!' ~ar lI,fe'>f' fill'>l' I f~R lliiF.l'<Jl <;!l'lH f~ll Il: o'!i'ill fi'rlll foll'C?t!Tii ?i <l!~'>f1a ii3' 3 tl8 ~ fel'l f,,8" f<J8'\! Illll" l'l131, filR f,.i3 l!'<Ja' ,,1"'0 '>fm!'o :3 fUia 5fe'>li fRUI; fi liIe/ll) f"..,fe'>f' fl'l '>IRy,.l »feCI liiiH5 l!tI <J,,3'5 3t1 i <ij I l'l3'<J l{f.!'" 8;" Q3 Be l'lCl ii <;1e li'<J3 ,,1 . li;;l~ '>fRl '>ie38 f!lUl aro,,'>I'i! - fiO" lI'o '>Ia!> l'laT<ij I Ii' ,.1 »fBO <:11 Ili I fell 8~1 fel'l Ii' '>f3 f3"0 53 ffl'ul, fil?ji f"" -

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232

SOME

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P"PERS OF TBE AKALl MOVEMENT

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Letters from inside the Lahore Fort

SOME CON FIDE NTIAL PAPE RS OF THE AKALI MOVEMSNT

237

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CONflDENTIAL PAPERS OF T H E AKALI MOVEMENT

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246 SOME CO"'FIOENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AI(ALI MOVEMENT

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248

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

-&<J Re e8 ,,{W<'> OIa <11 tI~ I ~Hl<1 il 3t1~1i'l Ho.r<J :6<lHT?'al1 (8) >it!(! ii R'3 R"ii' 011 fl:cl Msl t!(!,,1'0' H~>I' u'W3 »fa ~o CI' ,)5 »I'll ~ B<1 ai'l \le ~>I' ,"' I »I'll ;5 ~o -& >I<r'S ou1' <11»f' I ;fu tRlS ii fi:m'o If' 5' I fHVali'01 CIa ii ~R 01' tl'Ol'f<!t!' "ili"a ~o ii 81e l)f(JR'E ~' 3'fOl uH ~n ii B it I

162

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;:r.r'<ra rAUj nominated ij'eo tit!'e ii'R8 »ia tl'~' ~>l10I0 fR"Uj »IR'm!"\ ~ ii f<!R Kltiar ii' ~8'n' olor oul' <JilfT I fOl~'fOl f<!R Klfc"a! H' orE1 l!'3' confidential fRiii! f~<!' ii »ia W8~1"l' til ii <faIl.i'i for Ri!or'a 301 tI'el olor or <J'0I1 I >iii! ~" B R,fua'7i RaOl'ol »i't!Kl 5' I f!!R Hlfe"a! ii 81~ 3ra' ft!8<r'01' B1iJ1~ I aEfOl eOl EOI 1:f1R messenger 3t1 010 ,,1 fecio' <la' I ,,1010 H'~l»f' >11 rifa fct't! H'eo'O (Elected) Cll KlfiOi WE~l»l' til 0I0'~ I »f;;-1 »f'll ~ ~'ilF.loT).j' ii ll3' 801' 5 fCl fR'I H' a'3tl13 Claa f.-o H'~l»l' til f;:f~ H'ea'O ii iR8' OIa "8' I rifa f.-a fRtl rifa r;]~ H-eo'O 0/1 30:6 ii OI~ ii f<!38'<l ,,1 tl'e fOl clafHe ;5 »Ie 301 0Il!1 aTo »fUnl u'E1Rl 01' ';;8'n 011»1' il (fJR1'5O:Gi31'5 uRo orl 301010 fAK8' ""81 ao"'a3 '>fE"''''El ftl1>t':63 Ra >ii~oi! iicrnOlo, Ro"il'O Hn'o-.f ",a ffJReo Claor i'i ';;8'n 3 i'i last session H' fin<J' ?I 0I1e »io ;'j 3oralij' <It! Ra H5aK il81 ?I 011 il') fOl aiaf>fc CI' formula il fOl '>faro fRtl >lia fct'~ ij'lla'O »f1tiR ii' lf3fua <J tl'~' 3 clafHe f<!R fa5 ii HOi'la' orfJOil >lia tl1i!1a ~ fOi aiaf>fc fAT? 011 <!'<IF.! ii llI;!Na fu~ r,fO/C 'It"" ""5 ii amend "I' ?\~ faE R replace ~ ii f3»1'0;) I iorn fRvt! ii'lffio iil!l 3t1~1t! i oro

"'0

SOME COlS J'lDENTlAL PAPER S OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

249

R'illiil l)i'~' I fl!R B1il '>III f<ie >iia rRtS ihma l)i'lJH ii' IBf"" 5 Olil tl' I >ila atafH'c Ei request aa~ ~' fa -.i<l '>1'1.1';; ';)8'?; a;e' ~'iJe' ~ 1l1;!tn1 f~R fllB ii ~'R8 il' carry through aa'e' >ila f~ ~ II't! successful working aa'il ft' He;;! aii, f~iI ~ H,?;l ~cr ~' fa;:j preliminary difficultles~' HRB?; S.G . P.c. >ilo S.A.D. 0/' lawful O/a'a ~~, ~eW' 0/1 Facrf\?l £aia' ~?;

Ei ti'5 ail' I t!lQ1a ~il ~'RBa tjcr

f8\1' fCl ~cr iiiafHc R'a fl!?; liBaB'3 ii crB era~ "ja f"5 ii </'HWII 8(;T<! Ei Blil ila 3'll co-operate erail Ei f3'>1ra 5' I ~ H'HW '>11111'0 '3 ft' 31 publ ish era "hI' H'e, 3'fa uafB</ >iia \JaR 011 '>I'«Tf.I a' ij~ 31 ci1afH'c ua 1.1;1 I (a) tjcr ilU'Fl!3 "il~al ~ Fa fRtS a'RBa '>IlJGl HlfiQl il' ea ~'fiffi aiiel (standing committee) lit! fj'aa'?; 011 8<!' B' ;:i fa r:6aa, ;R;:j >ila fi!R3</B'8 i'i 3WH a'H ii RaH'H ~ >ila Ei~l aa ti~a1 Ba ?i' 5i B' I 311'H fj'aa'?; iJlI £013 Fi!<fi; ?i,J1' 5 RCla I fi!R aHcl ii' R01:!'a Rrof;;!a fR"1JI, 3'i!1 ;:ill fR"1JI "ill, Rl!,,'o (\il'fi!<! mlJl "ill, Ra,,'a 3ra TfR"u! ~tlT R'fcra ti~tl ;j' I (4) '>IT!Ji Rl!;;!Ttl ;:jfof;:a fR"1JI "ill 011 3"il'iliT Round Table arn.:aR £'B1 ;:i f8t11 5 f<i'>l' ~il t,!a'<!l ar3 ii "ilOT a5 ij' w fer recently ~ Cll Q1£ollO ii cii!l ar3 <113 <;!i!1 ij I ~R </' <lH ci fi!8H oill' ij I ,,1010 ijcr 31 f~ ?iill' ij fI'f<.'»l' ~R ii' <:JH'al ar83 iii!l FiTaa cr'>l' W ?iiJl' I fl!?i ~iI' 1j/3' CIT U<13 - T!J3T;'iii !Jl! >ila Htiaa T11'8' 3H..-lil ft' fila 0101 .pi! CI'fl!H </1 "il' R0I31 5 I fa(l'fa !J3' ?iill ci1aMc i\ fCl'>fT liiJl ~ >iia fCl'>f' Clfunl I erer Round Table ClT?i:6&R >iia lj'RCIa RU'e ClHcl a f~R H' B'1l8 atl~ Cll f?iRa3 t;!ili illi il' ~s fulBa'" ~ , feR Ble ilH ~ 3'il'B feR ~liT ii fiT'>I'''' discuss ?iill' </l'>1T I >iia ~cr I:!?i'R8 RHS' ~ fa iii!l t,!lf3T suggestions H8 liB ;tQll "3 01C1 ace- a<!' ~'ai I feR B18 '>131 Hil'e'H' Ufc'>f'8 f ii i/Ol'>f1 </JH </ai </1 3H<11iT ill ara3 31 "!S" '>fll il ?iiJl' Cloa I (5) ii lJo'f<.'3 Fill' a~8 '>flU fl arw CiF<i;:a ?i'lI i5 ROera ;:ifoi;:e

250

SOME CONFllJn;TlAL PAPEns Or tHE AKALI MOVEME NT

fFi'ui iJ fl'li Oil1\' fOi f<it; r~li aa'f<'3 ua <JH'al If"" Ciaii ii f3»i' i! 5', ~:'i Oil11'1l3 Gr<J »fail il f" »1<:8 :3 fJii(l' ,,111' 3 l:!R3li<! a'3 ~<J R H~lil ill<Jlii ;'i fl1 U:;!3 H,,, ..l,,,, til Oil 3a:<: J1 »tl~ I 1f'~H ;]3' il fa un ~Tfc a 3 »f'll iJ iiEl 80 2 Ci' f.Hia li<Jl' <il»p I <Jii' 3 ~HB "'"l li il fa lin ill iJH ii fde§' iJ unconditional H<!<! 8 31<1 -e'ai I ~ u ollll ~li ii aa3' <:<11' "a~ -e'ai' ",ora llijIafi'l l:!iJ'8 &<,1 803 officially fa;;: }j'aal/i In.3 ,,1 al Hai'll R iia aij'a'i 3 ~R .. 0i3 '>flU ~ Ril 1/a ~R8' "a ffio; ' I

In short our opinion is that we need the co-operation of the.

Hindus as well as the Government to solve our problem. Let us first make sure of Hindu support, then the councillors (Sikh and Hindus) will invi,e Governmen, to fulfill its pledges and co-operate, We will then find out on which grounds Government Is prepared to help . It will be for us to decide how far we can meet the Government's terms or not. The securing of Hindu support first will have effect on the attitude of the Government too. In the

meantime do not allow any weakening in your pressure of jath a m ove ment . This is the critical and psycholog,moment. (0) U-:;!3 ,,1 a :;!a'lP faH ii' ;'i 311<!181",i 0i1'~?i Oil ~"a3 ~;J »fail ii fa Gurdwara Tribunal ii A'aalli 31ff <11 i'ifl tral fFj'\j il'<Jlii I .. ali' <1H'Ol JH ii' Fia Hil t! ~<lTI, >ifa ",'ftfel .1 1/<,1 f"RH Oil u ~"011,,,i U;!?; '" ~a il

I f<!R Hlii ",'U U"1l'3 tll R atia

'>fa" OIa' fer 8':i:I Gr<J ;j tl'ii, fa Three Sikhs as me mb ers-one to be appOinted by Government to represent the minorities. ;?lata fd'~ >i1a fAli »fatI 1!ft<!at'o al ail'~ fRo': worshipper;] t1'1i' i:I'tCl1 ;), ~R U~3 ;:il Oi' draft a;;!3 »1'", ;) , f~ R

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Ifa",a' il l a10l1 ;'jR' l:!o'Rt:! n~s-' Ail aa >iia Ropa ;'ifaft'o fI·i'ui ,,1 >ifa ;?1010 R'fiial?i i! RllJ )Hl "a' 0<1 i! flli'RS procedure '>iJ:lf3'>1'O Ola' I Ra<!'a >lJ1H f~\lI ill H'o ii tI"tt'a ~'RH ..,;;1 H1f<!01 H' i:!Oo • aC5~ '~' I »f'll ;,l H<J ' 3H' ill Oil R<J3 >iia fe3:G"Ol i! Bl~ '>1011'8 3);3

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THe AKALl MOVDtE:-IT . 23 \

ll,f.HI ~ '>{,~ \J,!,c!lll')T Ola<1"' OIa ~<J81 ~ "Ta ~' 1>10 '>{);1I'0'3

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It is to our advantage to get the legislation With the co-

operation of the Government.

(a)

In that case it will be necessary to call a Round Table Conference to frame t he Bill and walt upon the Government. The Conference must have re presen ta. tives of all parties. (b) It will mean complete reconciliation. (c) Release of prison ers. (d) Appointment of a Council of Regency at Nabha. The Government w il l not give any written undertaking but almost all the prisoners will be released and even few whom they wish to deta in will be released on their personal assurance to co-operate. 2. The Bill to be presente d with the Hi nd u Sikh agreement_ The Hindus require undertaking on the following points: Ca) Vote of no-<:onfidence. (b) The election ofthe President. Cc) Assurance of full support in all party questions of which Raja Narinra Na th is the head. Change of tact ics.

164

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SOME CO~ FIDEN TIAL PAPE RS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

~' I a'~'e' R'f<la 11' e, lj <ltt'e <!flj'>!T lIott 1'10 llo il >iio ~<l ofll'>l' l{;aJ of! ij' I ~o & sl11';T RijJ faJ,>!T ~ f" il."'1. I'll. AkalJ Defence Commlttee) ~ lllR ~fll'>l' oul ij f<!ll l?lil ;'iA' f" (?o ,,1 a'3 1313 Fi l{'l?H

53' ij ~u li"BH' 111 ua~ll1ai'>< iii?> al f:6O!a ii' ~ I '>I'll & oj-u a3~i'; 011 tltra3 oul ij fa a'etl l", fPf<Ja "-' feA 3au Hilt'W ~ tt'o' HfR'l O!Hcl >iio illl 0!1 ,Po EI ,pfe'>lT 0<J1' ~ I feR R <wal 3f<lala it 0!r,:1 'iO!R 0 ll~a;' >ita tltt' 3<1"3 f~R o31tt, ,,1 <ij;:jTf~R .:!ijJT fll ~H ,,1 H'l?1 <IT/03 f,,301 "H;'ia ~ 01'01 ij f" ~<l '>Illl?> tl~al O!'ii' ill?le ..1 '>fa <ifll'>!' O<Jl' fo"'5 R1<31 I '>f'tt ilH ,l'e;:r'e l R'fua & l:!R' ail 0' 3 1f"

~i1 t;f,,10 t!5 il' fOi '>f'a] ~o & fe~tl ' o' 0!1 '>Ie'feaJ1 ii' <lafaJt! .:!a o' 5ffil1 fHiJa'l'ol aa ir '>fIll il. 611. \,1. & aatl' .:!" 3 1fO! feR H<llii al '3 tllO!l "'t" 0!1 H'il I '>f'ai iI "le u>l iiil ij' f" f"A 3au liO!t!H' & "l~ ~ <lIR5 O!le Hie ' I il;;l3 H'8~l'>1' Hl & ..1 ilH feR a'H ~ "le l:!8' of! ij' I .~5 feo l!'tI' f"ua fiiUl Hl feR ,,'H ir "lil a'<lil oul' tt' Aft, '>ItI ~ ..1 ~al RCIOIa'l1 il a'H ai'a] I iJwol fGO .;jiJ Oltllaa ij f"

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feKt!"-! "8' I fe?) il '>I:llEI',P3 if' f!C'K ~ ;]TW3 f.pfe'>f' a,,.,€!' >iio l£EI ~H1?f.lo aa,.,E" >iio '>f't!l-il ~ era beatl ngs '1aia' ~ RRul'icf! il <:1 '115 aa~ tJ'<:Ile I q<:l fO<J'fea ;,~al ;'j I ~'aca' ii 1:!'>f'feo1 91 aa'e' >lia ~o al aiiia~ E!'E!1ft!t!1 a18 ;:rre' I (6) 9'10'1 it! flful t!Hi~ila I1Wl! '>IC('81 ~81 fRui ill i'i a35 ale me il ~o ~ 0138 ~ ,)18'3 3f<1alo :Gowe' I ~(') al HilT1 ~el f.l1If! '>fllJ <5 l;!<iaa 011'>1 1~ t;jl (')<11' I (7) '>Il1<ra ealfa~(') ii t!al1'113 aa' fOl ,!:<:I '>I'lIO' ..~Ell1'R aliiaca f.I<Jlt!l ;fa 011 <JIfa:G8'Ol€r il 113"501 3f<:lal0l13 aa~ il 8le ~;i' I '>I'lJ <1a fal1K 01111081'>1'3 lIf<:lK U;JtJ'~ 01 1 t;j0l10 t!8'E' I <:IK 91 ~~lca ~ lJ111 '>I't!Kl ~ ;a (!il ~R' aai il HIe a031 aa'a. I 3e 1:!38a1(8) Ra~8a Beat.! qra~' Olilcl€r >lia '>Ia'al tfEI' ~ (')'K tl'al I aa' >lia ~(') ij t!O,,!'>fTl13 aa- for '!:<:I ii~ K'3aK orl feKtl't! ('>I'o.!i 3e a'e ~T ;'j) (9) ailel ~ <JIa~'>I'Ot fiRaaeo i'i '>it&t! lia ~pf<:la <!Ia~'>IlaT a13fvorla t3 ~ '111'13 <JIe il (!~' ?i '>iT aa fa»!' falialR 011 ~ ? f<Jf!'lI ~aT ~i' 3 ~i olor <JtW3 ii' Ute ;'j' t;jT (,)<J1' >iio f<:lR'1! fom 3'al):1 301 l:!8 Tvt.!' OIl»!' rill»i' :II

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168

9t' Rf30!a l!.FI'ft! (1) !liT<! 011 tI<:I 3tR1t.J fQ' »iilTO Hv'3K' H1 feR ~ rifol f8il' 3 ,!:v ~w H";1111 ~3 ~ fa'>!'a ;'j I fER ua <JK i; <lia al»!1 ~ I 3K'K ~t!1 <1'W3 ~ J.!~ (')ila 011 Q'a >i1a lf1R aa q<1 fOl ,!:v ul1'al faRl Kia! ~ ~a' aa~ ~ 51e f3'>1'O (')u1' ~ >ita feR 3av11:!'>i'KW3 »Ia 91 tJtJlt!T ii H'~h1i, <:IK !iO'Rli IUlS3 ~' fOl »iilTO ,!:v >iiRl H";1111 B'?; ~ f3'>f'O ~ 3 ~f.I ij ~a <JlR8 aa 8(')1 tJ 1vle I >iiRl 3fva1a 011 f.I'fl:'>f T ii tI'(')'

so~m

CO:-l FIDENTUL PAPERS OF TH E AKALI MOVEMENT

265

<Jwal iiHlao ~ 3or<il"l3 eill' >ifa RiR: i'i 3fvolii- '>f'lIi <Jvor ii- v'R8 CliI<5 ii- HBB ~ill' , for(t'for ~<J .,jRl 3fvolo ~ wfe'>f' d tI'~ H ~ 0' ,!S <gfi.1c d ",~<!l' I feRl Cll fso' >iii! aTOlil'3 Biari! Cll fw lIa <JH ciifF.!l:l Clam' fa '>fB'8;T ~ ",1'>!' H 3'1 vH feM i'i a-oO"8T3 ~ I >iiRl 3fvilla cii <JH 3R8111119 oul' RHO'3 I ~Clo HR<l83 feR 11'3 CI' 3C1'tI' Cl031 3 fi! l>f01a .;fRl fH831 "3 (tR cii vTli R fio' oul- il'ule I eor iI'3 CI' '>f'lI % flf'>f'8 allO' for ~v IliRl 3fiJillo e<5 i'i '!ratl O1ilill' I ~i!o '>Illl i (til or forRl fCiRH or' Kor' VI' SU'O' 0' eo' I feR iI'3 01' ~"'il alf3 'li! '>filla l>i'\l ~ »{;;:1 3fua1a ftl~ iifor RHO 011 Involuntary nature of abdication 01' ftloril cr <JIR8 ora fla' 3' "'J3 dill' I ~o' ;'j >t!'lI ~ il'a'<:c ii' f8\l' il ,['11 flu1 I ear ~fl or »I'll ~1. il'1, if' RHO cii lI'R ~tI >ifa ~Il cii ,!3' ~ fCi Clilcl or' .;ffl1 3fvo1a i'i 1i38i1 "3 ,l'fl5 0<11" cr3' 5"0 lia <gil: 0' '!:s Ul! al iitllf.lo cii 3Cl~1,>!3 fHa31 :l for RitO ~ fl'iI iifeolll:gl >ifa tl8H - tloo iJ»I' 3 feR 81~ '>Iealo <J'8T3 alHc1 cii 3~ltJ H~a :l I ~Ril flae'a If"ano fli'ur cii '>f'U HiJ'a'iJ' til ~ lI'R ~i'i' ';;0 flilB'il R,fiJiI '>f'~ R''! ~Bil", ~5 ill;i' 53 iI'l!' I

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!litO Cll ~cf ilulBil HfiJ3's friU! cii o'lf ;'j feol 3 ~fl orl oem (~fl 011 oCl5 '>f'll ~ lllfl ~ or' fe'3iPH Cia ail ~J I (2) <,1 c~iI '>fill~C 0'3' (The Truth about Nabha)

(I)

(3) illlJill~'"Zao <11 0<18 (it »I'll ~ lI'R 3)

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iHl a!el,

(4) lfu'3H' mor wa "'cp3 >iia RitO a1 3iR'ltl il3' 010 ll/'lJ ~o cl >lfllfTeu aij- fa ~ >iiRl R;]o or f;3'o1 f8il- fill! R iJlf'O' H38S 31 1£0' ij ille ';;a ~iJ sl tR'S e?; ROjiit.l 0' ail I »I'lJ H<I'3IfT ill cii tTv 31 tI3'~' for Ril?; il'iJ3' 3 for f.resl ii' feR ~ alfe'>!' 010<5 al few;;ra o' HiaTl we I 5010 ~I! cii iI~'iI ~ wfe'>!' 53 il- ~i!O 0' ijop I ftfcSl eR31 5 aa l>i'\l ii' i'i ciiel ill. il'1 'l8T ti'e >ifa RtIO R ~ <5: III ~ s>;!Hs tR'S 5 O1a '>!~ I aff.ll! O1a for ~fl if il'o'<:c if 3'1 ..r.:r O'e1fiot

266

SOME CONFID E NTI AL P AP ERS OF nil': AKAU

M O V E~! E:>I T

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3 "c'"" ~'8' ul Rul I ;i '>I'<'HI '>Ill ,,1 ,,1 ~R -& u>l'a tI,..'a a' lJ3' i??i tI'~ , '1. u "'alO "'u i tI' Ole tlu ;!>1 fii Riln '>Ia HiJ'3H' ;:il ii ,,1 fC!lfh ii f3'>1'(1 nul' ~ >lia '>I'UGI a'3 R fGC faJ'>I' (l '3 ",lOIS fRllI til ii »ffilHt!'a't! }fa(l aa i? :"fa Rat!'a >laJS' fAUI HU'3H' HI cit R''I fPR IfT>iH' ii' ftlaa ul n' OIa I H01n ;ii' 3a-.; »f't!Hl ~an a<1'O' j tI'i?' 3,fOl 'lOl3 lOtI B'B 1,,1. ,,1. ii R(I<'a'a e83 fRllI a<1W 5 ;;'B' I ;;10<,1 f'eR 81i? OIa<'il ;j'iJ1B 3,fOl f!'i1n '>!\J(';l '1 '3 it fGO ?if H'B I 15c-(3H'H ,1'8'3 ,,1. ,,1. "" 5 lJ,! iia uH'al '>Ill tliJ (I'B (l fOl f"i1 IfTHH' iii ~, "ll:!?ifRa n<Jl' 0 >lia ft;(; ii 8'pl;: ,;j'" n ~'H" sl nulll?i'n' ;l'Ole I ;;a 0191 lI'f"t.l:! ~ IS' 1:!HfO/n ;jar' ~an <iIl!1!

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(4)

i1'l

SOME COXFIDEN HAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOV EMENT

(I)

Copy of Negotiations File

(2) (3)

Jaito Affair tracts and Congress Report Gurdwara Reform Handbill by S. Karear Singh, M.A.

(4)

Guru Ka Bagh Congress Report

(5)

Truth about Nabha

267

(6) "I'll ii ~il :113 <:~8 13t!' '>fil ,i'll' fauo fHll! '>foH'5 (j I »!'1I feH Cll 'tl'1l3 <1'<1' ill R f"H'IH CIa 5' I

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169

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(2)

(3) il'NllO iii fi~'1 tll!' Cll lP<l3 li:i>l5 ij'5 T3 H'~>r Cia' r'l tifij C/ljljl)T ? ~>I '11 r'l»!' Constitution (j ? 'Ill ~R ii €tm~;:raTn Cll fe03l!Tll '[21 ? f'lR B"l~Tn {;IT il8>1' H' lIafHCI ii reaf3<J1a {;IT »ll!ll'o ~ ;:ra1'>l' ~R Cll :>lila B1 are1 ? »l'fe»!' iiel €tR Cl1 iiel '1'a~Te1 '>f:>!'!l'a'3 ii' i1111', ~<ia', ~<i(J1 I iio R1 r.ljt!}{T3 feR ;:Ill' 5 Ii<l '11 ..1' I '>f'l'51 >iii! '>fil T51 -a lJ.~1 H' reR ;:IljT il1::!38'1 lft.Iljo ro'l~T8' I

268

50)1£ CO)/FIDENTIAL PAP ER S OF THE AK.\LT MOYEME!'IT

(4) Floeto gaG fllUi ~ijt1lo til ~ '>j'u;5 iplR3 B t11 ~ till ~n lilT "f1131~ Ifnilo al'>f' ~ ? (5) Negotiations File 011 niim;'i '>flU ii ~ill ~ @FJ

H' llt10tlI l ~g '!'<!It.l'3 0<11' ~' I fcrall aij ii '>f'V R<It1lij ;'it:! ffiW -til R ~n 011 nag ~on <)IFl8 aa' I R).I~o ~ tIqij <)H' f).lg tile I ROt!lij ;'ifoft1O nfUl til it HFI' fa "fl\l ~ Uf<J5 3f<Jijlij -011'>1' fOJ'>I' ~ j~'U Confidenti.1 File all:f~1f8 oag '>jClFl';G aij' I (1) Confidential Agreement of 28th April (2)

Our Amendment in that

(3) Letter of Bhal Jodh Singh in reply to resolution of 1st May to Government (4) Two letters of Bhai Jodh Singh dated 26th or 27th May to Government

170

(1) "fa~R3Io" ~ 1;!38Cl R<It!'ij lliJI8 fRLIJ til ~ \}).jlal ijl~ Wall el I <lJiNla f.. <J).j ,!a <)1813' R "ii feR erij Ii' vlf'el ale \Ie "fRo ""8 Ra3 ~'~a:;: o<Jf, feB ale '!t1031 30 lIo <)).j t!i!R3 ale lr3'?; R Cl'Ra a' I Bern "ii V'813 VIl·~ feflll Ii' D' ~o ..1 feor ua VIl lal qa Ole fCl \}).fIijl feF!l }j'. slfeet fO! <JIfTa l »mar<! faRl \I'ael R '>I'l./i "fl\l ii "fIB~'e1:;:lel or cia tmfor feR ..I 3a;1 "fHg >iifil 5 for fjga or1 3).fI1f \lliji\'>jT fBFI orl ort1O ora' I tie altol \JIael >iia FI~a'TI \I'ai! ..1 HFlI fer l!3'a ' lIi'1a "f'3' "fIUR H' i'ial for.; tile, 3 <)).fIal 1 ,;fu f.. r.f~F/3lO fjg .. 01 :6'lfeet Blj31 \1'>1' ,;)a FI;jJ '>f1~'iJ ~I '2'>1' ~~ v'ael€?' H' gw<) era l?; ..1 iifRf.I aa I (2) R<It1IC1 H"ati!5 rRUI til Rerfl' f.. ~<J fl-fRCO t!IFI ii \!IR i'1\!a

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SOME CO.'lFIDENTlAL PAPERS OF-tHE AKALl MO\1EME:n

259

It'~' >iicr ~o ;j a3'il' >iii! <1<1 al alt.l'31HH uao'€"' ftlo 011 a'!J3 "f'U

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ail' fa '§'il fiarf883'?i tl' aa 'llJIal ft!H~'~

aa' I

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(4) ilH' it;) ~K "a I' fli ~1 aHcl >i/a l>IOl'1!l t!5 ~ ""Ull il' ~'>I8i!'3 111.!ilT?'lj o'll' 0' l-it<J ..'ael !j;jll!~faRH31 ofe;' ila ~fjH<'i ilK ii 3l!'U aa5 ~ fl:1'<ll ii' 5" ;)fi'a ura ii ;)'8'3 >iii'! ;r I it<J ""1I ii Wi;! of<JO' o';)lE fa <JlJT01 ~1 R ik1 it l!'3 i;1IlHO ii 1$131 af<J31 :t >i/a f"ell 30;) ~ ""1I1l H' m »Ia ~l>f8i!'3 ~ ii 3R81

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270 SOME

CONfIOE ~HaL

;J~ ii f3 1'P(I

PAPERS OF TH S AKALl

:! I filfl 3(1<1;)

fl~ ""lI iir8F.I

~lC>VEI4ENT

ai' f01 »raTa Ula H'

113 li1 :! "3 31 'Io"'" ,;fa ~lllfO ii ~ii: U3' o' ~ fli;! I fl(le'(I Hiln'S fFlUl ill ii O1ii' f~ ~f1R3 O1a' f01 ~u l>I'licY l>IalC!l BB H' o':!li fER3H'B 010 ii >iia filfl f-iR1 H' iiEl ~01R ;J ~R ii i?a O1a "'01'Bl BB >iia i.ifR:l O1Hcl ii' ~HB' 3"iB01'3 O1'fE'H 'la' I flOt!ra HiliB fflUl ill l>I'lR'i 3a:<: i.i fEf! H'H~' H' -lial iifllil 'la' I -e~' ., = H l;!RilI~ ~"iB01'3 lIa <lHral a'llU!'1I1 '" fla Rf;;I'>I'\1' fEofuR'a ~ I (5) Ra\1'a H'o rRW .r~lB B'ija c5 <lH' cr.:r ~ f~ IlB '1'H afaRl '11 t/'lI5Rl ",I RHS3' 51i! ill:<: Ii'BR' e1~'0 .rma' 011 f~t!.e ~ "!!re, fm f~aaHt! OiOIa ,,<11' l>f13 H010 1I'<la .r'H ,01Hcl ii R'i!o a;! H'Wl <,!e '.!i! ~' >iia aiafH? R RH93' aa.ji ii Bli! O1E1 Illlii' ii lI'fl \1al/l>f1Ra' aa aii' ~' I HR'"!! ii aa 1I(1 ~fl ~ t;3'fE»i' f01 flilt!'(1 (I'il' fRw>ii(l R(lt!I(I '>fail" fffUl -e~' 1;!l ~o H' Ri!01 R(I~a fit!(! fAUl Hillell>f1 ii lI'R"ilIE ,;fa ~o '11 f01 ?il alie1 >iia flOO1T(! 'II RH93' 010' - i.i eali'>l'fl3 - i.ill'il ... ~I ?ma' I .rcn(ll I @fl ~ ilii' tlil 3'0' ii 3a lIa '1<11 tI, I <JH H'BH _ .. l 01(!C;' il <J3 :!' f01 I!R '11 tlra H' f01301 Re'013 :! i!<J 91 tl3 1e' f01 »I"ilIa R(I<?ra '>IOilo fflW W (lltI' rAUl flae'a ~ea fFlUl Htllo1l>f1 i;!lJlfl"ille 3' '>fIll tIf1 a' >iie '1f1 :! fa altll f01<J(! fffUl ill fla't!'a tit!a fRUI Hillel",' ii @" f\15' fHB D' >iia ~R R ~~' ~ O1<JI f01 ? till ~1 ilwfe-a' RtliJil1'>l' fEB'O aiafHc R faB ria' ii HTHH H' ~<!! a~ Ru.~t!l»1i iila ora ~~ >iia ill. lIl. e1. i!<J lil fBIi fa ~iia ~o R t!Ol;!",lfl3 <$I' f01 ~ ,;j1fT til <Iii I '>faT(! C!liel Hal !l'3 ){lt5arl '3 ii'?<Ji ~o ii R'l;!~ l>f1lR'1 01'51 t!R3'a a'3a ~RC ~3'tI ~"'" >iia ?ruR '>f' tll~ I »rru ~ aa a 113~ fC! !I'll' til '>f'1J ii fHi! :!' W c;<Jl'? »raTa (Hi! ii' "3 fC!l>f1 ~aJ <;!El I iJr:J

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278

SOM E CONFIDENT IA L PAPERS OF THE AKALI )\OVE!II EN T

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(7) »!'u ea '>ialtt!1 f~l j;jj i!'31 0 i'i '>IaiJ feR il' 011 o ~R ua aia ~ ClO i!5t! '>IHB Ell'>1' we I fn<J'fea ~al :I I

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEMENT 279

(8) ~ I:l<Ilel ;:fa 0' .' fil 1,!'Ra ii' ~e :)' €!('i orl llrll3 <lH' WB)f <J1>f1 = 0 fa @('i - R f('i<l'fe3 ~l»1'('i' RBor • orl"1' iI'ar~. tlaJU', fF!U3, lI'~, orlJif orr filS'!B ~el fi3TI'K our I Rile'iI <l!alll1a fR'ul ef<P.5?l ~ M fIlll ~e :l'i €!('i iiil ~or <Ill R f('iiJ'fe3 lIiI' - ~hl' ~ I fe('i ii orll~ ..ai.!' 5 flle Ole ij I 5oro "iig, ?'5' %I:!B'Cft3 ordr~ t;fT ~ 5~ Rf\:c>orril ora e1"l' ij I ,;jR' ul u'B ~Ra If'El€1' or' ij I »irll feR a'ij ii' »i'IJe! ;r'el€?' orl lIaa 8' >iia ~ 3011 orlJli' ;:ijjil' orl ij ~R eil oril5 or' fi3i!'ll ora' I 1l'8?1»!', ('ifuil R ('i';r' i "ii8: ii u'B'a fll"l'O ora' for ?<l il'~' ~ 1l'1I fi!(') -& ~1 ll'orlfee' R;;I' ;rl our ue1 il fRa<: orFlCOf1 if' i'i, ,;jRr IlBor 53' ij I a. "Iii'llal ii ;;Ial"l' a'iaflic R R?'BT3 ?aiB' aare' I "IlIlJIa' Ii' 1l;;l1;!('i;r1 feR ~ 1:!3Bor a'fe'>!' ora..e' I lliIe'<l i!!O!Ilffi fR'ul ~ ;r 'el Il'full iI'Il OOIa f~' a,!;ret?'B' <i ~' I ~o orl f;fa1 "ii1i ~ ilal»!' (')Ur "I'e11 ~

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174

Everyone Is welcome to his Views and we forward these viewe to you for your best consideration . We have never sent you any views on any Important .ubject without consulting the house and without the consent of the maJority. It Is no use entering Into arguments or giving our own opinion until you think it neceuary to ask us.

SOME CONFlDE NTlAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOV E MENT

2ijO

(See letter of Rlsaldar Sunder Singh and six others September 16, 1924.)

dated

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(6) On the whole we need not lose presence of mind, for in such big and long lasting struggles crises do arise and there are r ises and fall, In the way, We have pulled through many such before; now, with the grace of Guru. we will certainly pull through the present. Presence of mind. unity and faith are the essentials to ,uccess. We should not shut our eyes to hard facts and difficulties, but, at the same time, we should not be panic struck . Perhaps, we are in the last stage of the struggle and a little more patience and steadfsatness, and goal will be reached. We agree that we should not confrne ourselves to only one method or weapon but should try all possible means. Even if we meet with a temporary check or reverse, w. will rls. again with redoubled force, more difficult to defeat than before. We are not shutting our eyes to the differences among friend· inside and the difficulties outside, but we are still hopeful and determined to frght mOre later.

282 SOME CONFIDENtIAL PAPE RS OF THE AKALl MOVE MENT

(See latter of Sir Jogendra Singh dated October 4, 1914.)

116

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294 SO:.JE CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS O~· THE AKALI MOVEMENT

0' 11'~) >iio \Io F! '>lo>l ..a' fO/ uH'o' 3 f~ Uij <:il \lao feou!'l'o ;') »10 uH ~o Cll 0~1'>13 Ul! B8o' B'u3 ;')' I fell 81e ~u fHUllar>;l Clo ~ 8<8 - ul >!8"t'1 f<ie ~' R8a>l i! iJ:Ig' % ~ uH & lII'OI'u O/a' >iia tiu gl ~ijl ;') fCl ti;;a R,fua »nhml fi :G'ijOi ii CIa ~8 liIi ~ll 1'10 "t'oRO B' I 3tf« UH ~o i! O1'el115 iRw 0/1 a'a<' f~R «0 B' I U";;3 ill \lii: Clo Rae'o i'ifoft!o fR'llI 'ill 11 ii'U 0/1 f.lIeH. ii' >iiafl'8 Cla';jj li!' -;'ill' U";;3 'ill H~' B' ~R' 0/0 5' I BClO ti;;a ill ;'! CI'H 'il8,,1 >lio;:!Oa I e« :3 f<it!a' ii ~fIB' aa ~ uil' 188' - «fI' , "t'Ra IIIfftR'!l ~ iao 8't! uii'tl<Ji ;;!(lao t'l' I »I'U emo faRl 3»l'H5 ~ U";;3 ill ~ fi;;!t!' <1'8'3 lII'lR ti<l & 01« 01« <13' B' I 3'fO/ ~ H'H8' al l)jij-;'i'1l1 >iia OIaf"el >I'e" I elOJa <;:<1 fa;,l '>fTt!H1 :1' I >1<1 30/ '>I'U ~o iio aalO/ "a~ ~ al 8'83 uH ii' ~lIf38'6 o'e il I Clel €« «' fll'>f'8 ;') f« ;i 9'3 '>1'1.1 ii 1.13' 8OJ31 ;') ~ '>i'ui BR3 I'/oe'o Reo fRW Hillol'>f' »1a elO1a' R ,,1.1' ail our all 1'/«;3 I filR «' 18811 ij >1001'0 301 $ OIel I Ban 3'uH gl ;i IIIill' 0/1 «Hel feR 01' ~1l8' C1fJ uH if ii fo/Il1 ii &el ~>lo liI' e3il'tI C'i' iiar' I U'i3 >11 iI 11'3 'iJ1a ii~ tio @C'iur >lal'>f' <f1l8 H' «'H &a'C'i' :l, -Hao fef! R~>I UO uH ii' iI ael C'iul' 'iJ'<l:3 fO/ ti<l ,,'O,",e1 ~o 301 u<1" ,,'e Bao UH & &el »fl!80 fit! C'i<ll' ij I i'iil '>f'U u'a'3 ilil' "0 5' I '>f'U 7i uH & J;'t! 01<1' II' f« tiiJ3 'ill gle1 R'full ii caRe ou1' a03 I '>faro '>f'U calic <;'0 RC13 :l' 3' tiu:3 H'oo' U~OlT fa g'el R'fUl! ~ «'<18 >iia ;jfu",'o ~' >tia alII <;'ij'O' >iia fOC1'5('i' 'il'03 il' I (3) '>f'U ~ iil1. ",1. "'i! Rilo f~C'il al ea ol,,'elt1ii1 iilo':Ge »l01l'8 ~ ~Il a1 ufum f~ol »lara »RT53 ii' UR ;j:3 ~R <'laR'n;') fa ~na ael »la:G'tI «,a-a OIfil63 ;')' I feR ale <JH 'iJ'<l:3 fO/ <;:u gl suffer '0' aii >tia UH'<J' O/'H 'iJ8 >I'\! I feR ale lli'\I fI' R ~ f/ilo '>fIlsl

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SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALr MOV EMENT

285

ftfol ~ C"efuor a'ul >i& orar,:c R'll B aa @R ~ U'R ;J.i! ';;a If.'i'RW ;1" B81a- ~ 010 ~R ~ eOl ":;0 f;liSl feRl 3.altl 011 fO\Ij~' B'e 3ÂˇfOl 'I;) I1a OIa e1 ;J'e I OIrull)(l i'i "flU g tI '~ ~ C"e1~ <I' I feR 01' tl\!a Ii:i~ ail' I ;)IJ @~ ii iie1 ?iti!' ;?f;)e' 3f;)alal ti' tlll'?il 0<11' ;l RC13 fCl ~~ ClllJBB OI~'al r ;)wa' cii'ira-~F.!O 4 "'<TIR3 <1'8' C1'felJ ~ ÂťIa ~R ~ <JIi lJ'liB ~' r Bsls feR 3O<J' 011 Cla",l ~'ij1e I Line of argument We have been a,klng you to make a statement about your forced abdication because we have ' to prove to the public and the court that It was not voluntary. and to prove this. we wish to u~e all the papers in our posse5Slon. but as far as POSSible not to Use your first letter of July 1923 to S.B. Mehtab Singh, our PreSident, because In that letter there are certain expressions which It Is not to your Interest to publish. Therefore. out of consideration for your Interest . we have requested you to make I public natement. or, If you prefer. you may write the same letter. giVing it the same date. omitting objectionable expressions. but clearly recording the forced and unjust character of your severence and grievances of the insult to senior Maharan i Sahib. at the Pakka Bagh. As for an Buurance from us. the resolut'on of the S.G.P.C. of 5th August Is a clear public and honourable commitment to the extent p05Slble for the Committee. It is not possible under the rules for the W C. to say anything more or less than that now. The objectionable words In the orlglnable letter can barepre,.nted by 1"ur own enemies a, an Incitement to the Sikhs to rebel against the Government and so on. Therefore. they are to be omitted .

N OT E. The above Is not to be written but used In conversation for argument. The revised draft Is attached herewith. <nf' 1)l3'l K'O\IJ <J.1)fI ij fO! fB<JHl If' \iR frol'" ~ autt ~ ~ flfl)l's C(11)l' ;J13' ij =fOl ~~ 3aalllO u:63" ii ;rrR3 '?;. fnaB Rii I '>tillBII?; Ro~o K"(I1B fR"\JI (81m! "" tiT Rti"'a! I SOl?; 1ll! 011 Hue' ;)'BI3

286

SOME CO:< F I DENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEYIENT

€i H';"! oi:!O atl O1a fag a' H'H8' fOiJ'fe3 '>failc ij ,feR ii' iiel 3,tlla ~'fa'>{' 0' ii01 <I'<Jle I feR "Ie '>fOla fiR' fa <JI-Pa' f,p>f'1? 0, 1lC1,,'a ).fi1f8 fRUt ill f8H8 l 0' il' l1ii'ai, '>f'lI ii' R <ie! "" €iel "lil1a c-aRc~a,,1 >iia "'fe01 l1'f<Jij f8118' <i iao a~'o' ii il'e , im fo<pfE3 tJ2a1 ij I 178

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llfu3'" (Jl",

Dear Pet man •

With reference to our Informal talk the other day, S. Teja Singh Samundarl and I have consulted some of our colleagues now here with us. As I told you, in case the present S.G.P.C. 's not

SOME CONFIDENTIAL l'APEnS OF THE AKALl MOVU!ENT 287

recognised in thE p'p.'s of Gu,dwara Bill and a new body is created to tal\k c;:harge of the Gl.lrdwaras, there

kinds of complications arising .

Many

would be a risk of various

gurdwaras affiliated to the

peesent S.C:;.P.c.. very large funds and various branches of the S.G.P .C. work. connected with Sikh religious matters but not covered by the proposed Bill. will not pass to the new body in the ordinary course and wlli remain on either with the present S.G P.C. or with some othor body as the S.C:; .P.C. may decide now or at any other time. On the other hand if the present S.G.P.C. accepts and adopts the constitution proposed by the Gurdwara Act. nO compliCation whatsoever arised and the S.G.P.C. remains with all legal rights and liabilities Intact but tied up and bound by the new t:onstitution, promulgated by the Act . The S.G .P.c. by its rules duly registered can suspend or change its constitution by observing certain formalities and by securing 2/3 votes of its members present in a meeting caliod for tho purpose as per rules 38 and 39. We are very anxious to avoid the ri5k of having tWo bodies dividing the functions of the S.G .P.C. and earnestly wish that a single constitutional freely elected representative body of the Sikhs should retain and exercise all the functions. We think the Government would be as desirous, if not as anxious, as we are in this matter. If the Government and the S.G.P.C. arrive at an understanding , then it is not at all difficult for the S.G.P.c. to assure the Government that the S.G.P.c. undertakes to work the Bill and that It will carry out all the nacessary formalities to accept and adopt the constitution-promulgated by the Act and to pass on all its rights and liabilities along with its assets. branches. etc .â&#x20AC;˘ In all entirely to their successors elected in accordance with the provisions

of the Gurdwara Act. This is our view and the view in our opinion of an over whelming majority of the S.G.P.c. members. In order to give such an undertaking to Goverment, however,

we can only advise the outside workers to do so as they have the e~.1 status of if they permit us we may do so. In any case a couple

288

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALJ MOVEMENT

of outside workers will have to see us for the purpose. If you think that the Government Is In favour of a settlement ~hen you may kindly arrange for such meeting and then we can tell you what sort of understanding can be given.

180 Gurdwara Bill Dear brothers, (I) It Is heared from an official source that the real intention of Government Is to get the Bill only Introduced in this session and then by some Indirect means to get Its consideration postponed to August. One can't say how far this is true. But this is for your Information and any action that you might deem necessary to prevent this delaying. (2) The signs are that perhaps there will not be much opposition from the Hindu side. But then may be an apprehension of Muslim opposition indirectly put up by Mian Fa.. 1 Hussain, either because two of his Bills have failed or because he would like that the Sikhs should approach him .Iso. You may, if you approve of this course, request Dr. Kltchlew to see him personally and sound his views. Not only that but enlist his sincere suppOrt for the Bill. But you should move early In the matter.

181 Bill Letter of S. Mehtab Sinah ji I do not know exactly what may have Influenced the Executive committee to abstain from paSsing Resolutions redecision to work the Bill. stopping Bhal Pheru Jatha, etc., along with or rather in precedence of the resolution about the imposition of condition on release. That would have strengthened the Committee's position enormously by convincing the world that our aim Is constructive and we are anxious for a settlement. It would have made our agitation

SOME CONFIDEN11AL PAPE RS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

for removal of condition on re lease

2S9

more effective and at the same

time definitely and clearly prepared the community for constructive work. Anyhow, if among the reasons actuating the committee, there was also a fear that some among us will on coming out work against the Bill, for they have threatened to do so on the 12th inst., then I give you this information. S. Teja Singh jee's speech was rather unfortunate for It belied his true feelings and opinions which he wanted to express. I have, on careful discussion with him, found his views as follows : (I)

"This

Bill does not fully

reward

all our enormous

sacrifices , but considering all circumstances it is a victory for us.

There are defects In It but not such that we may reject It or wreck It. I will work it and try to get It improved by remaining In the S.G.P.c. through constitutional means and by trying to convert the majority to my views. I am not and will not be for creating a split In the Pand, and if I can not serve usefully by remaining in a position of responsibility, I will qUietly retire to a position of less responsibility. But I will always continue to serve my Panth wherever I be:' You have perfect freedom from me to get the above verified from him if you think necessary. He admits that his words may have created some mis-understanding and that his definite and clear views are those described above by me. I write this in order to help you to gauge the situation and make your decisions.

182 Bill It is our Imperative duty to convey to you our very strong feeling and clear opinion that a serious technical mistake has been committed in not making a definite declaration of our consiructlve polity-as for instance indicated in the draft resolutions already

290

SOit E CONFIDENTI AL 1'A PEnS OF THE AI< .\L! MOYE)!E :-I T

submitted to you - along with or ra t her In precedence of the Resoha io n about conditional release. By not making such a declaration you are keeping friends and foes in surprise. That is, Some Sikhs will be thinking that perhaps one of the possibility is t hat t he Bill may be rejected, for the S.G.P.e. has not declared its mind.

fees and neurrals are crit ici sing us for hesi tating to accept a

Bil l f"med and mov<d by us and meeting our essential demands . O ur this apparent and all eged unreasonableness is also affecting people's opinicn regardi ng our agitation for unconditional release.

As it is

admitted o n all hands that wha teve r happen we are not go ing to wreck or reject the Bill, then the sooner is this pOSition announced the bette r. Further, community's mind will be set at rest and the foe's mouths will be shut Do you mean to make this declaration after t he Government has given its final reply about the release! In event of Governm ent absolute ly refusing to yie ld, this declaration of ours w ill be considered a sad submission while making it now it will be cons id ered a splend id stroke of statesmanship, wisdom and tontiliation and sincerity and will also help in solVing th e release question . Those friEnds like Sardar Teja Singhji and others, whose author ity we have not gOt to convey their opinion to you on their behalf, have in conversation here expressed the ir emphatic opinion

from which we ha ve got the clearest and most d Efinite impress ion that their opinon coincides With the views expressed above and they also dee~ Immed ia te action on these li nes ab solut ely necessary. fact on e of th em, a very Im portant and responsible office

bearer. ha s

calied the omission to do so "A biunder". 2. As to the exact proced ure to be adopted now after a good o pportunity of d o ing it In the last meeting of the Executive on the 13th instant has been lost , you are th e best Judge. One way is to make an annou ncement on behal f of th e wo rki ng committee, if it is impossib le for the Executive Comm Ittee co meet immediately.

that ann-ounce men t the reso lutions passed on l ines already suggested

or on similar lines may be published In the foll OWing order ,.-

SOMI': CO ~ FIDEXTIAL P Ar~RS OF T H E AKA!.! ~WVEMEN r

291

Resolution No. I as already suggest in the Nete o~ 13th. No. 2 - do-doNo.3 -do-do-doNo. 4 -doNo.5-already passed by the Executive on -doth e 13th about conditional release. No. 6-here place Re,o. 5 of th, note of -do13th. Whatever you do. do as soon as possible. Th is will strengthen the hands of your CounCillors, and they will have a definite gesture from you to help them In tackling the Government . 3.

In connection with this matter we

also feel our duty to

bring to your not ice respectfully that I, rge number of us fee.l aggrieved that while you have taken absol utely no action on the matter, I.e., the Bill, Bhai Pheru and Jalto affairs about which you asked our opinion and we gave you practicall y unanimous answer, on

the other hand responsible members and office bearers among you have In public speeches produced a serious com~lIcation. And that Is this :-on the 12th you were all pleased to promise us Without our asking that the opinion given to you confidentially will not be divulged. Now, not only has our opinion been 'divulged but wholly Incorrect version has been given to the publi~ about our attitude

towards the release question .

You know we were not united on

this question. But your speeches have comm itted all of us to a course which is not the course of 311 . We ag'ree that perhaps you are using what seem to you to be best tactics But has it not occured to you that in the event of Government remain ing firm and. certain

person taking a particular course , your as well, as our position would

be most unhappy. People will say e ither you gave an untrue . vers io n to the public in your 'speeches or that some of us haVing given you our word have bet~ayed you and dis-honoured ourselves. Th is

situation isÂˇ much too serious and differences o f opinion much

too

acute to be handled without deep thought and farslght. One of us at least has Insisted on sending his protest to you .i n 1

292 SOME

CO ~ FI DF.N TTAL

P A P ER S OF THE AKAl.l MOVEME NT

his own handwriting as herewith attached and has kept a copy. We are puzzled at the complications that have arisen and can think of only one line of action to suggest to you and that is as follows :(a) Take up Immediately the work of dedaring a dear dec isive constructive policy wh ich may Impress Government. public and the community with your peace-loving intention . Begin acting upon thi s poliCY as soon as advlsible and beneficial. (b) Isolate the release hlssue" from all entanglements, and, even in that issue, do not: renounce the " open door" policy_

Advance

but always keep a way of honourable retreat open for yourself, if necessary. Our fight has dearly passed that stage when retreat was not even to be thought of. Now we must be ready for compromise concerning matters left unsolved . (e) Put as much pressure on Government as possible and advlsible but do not over do It. Remember you are dealing with an exceptionally dever and firm man who can not be won over merely by bluffing or obstinacy or uny ieldingness. Note. Kindly do not forget that we sincerely sympathise with all of you in your onerous respons ibil ities and know your devotion and sacrifices. Do n ~t take th is letter as harsh or ungrateful.

From Resaldar Sunder Singh to Sardar Bahadar Mehtab Singh, President S.G .P.c. detained in Lahore Jail , dated July 17, 1925, see No 101 page. Objections of Sardar Bagh Singh Vakil of Gurdaspur to the draft of the Bill pro posed for t he Management of Si kh Gurdwaras. see No. 102 page. Letter of Sardar Gureharan Singh and others to Sardar Mangal Singh dated July 25 , '1925, see No. 103 page. Letter from 19 leaders detained In Lahore Jail dated july 25, 1925 to the Worki ng Committee of the S.G.P.C. at Amritsar , see No. 103 a page.

SO)1E CONFIDENTIAL PAPER.S OF THE AKALI MOVEME,;T

293

183

9(1 Af30]a

'!I"'f~

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~94

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF Tl'\E AKALI

M OV£~lE)lT

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SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMEKT

295

fu'>f'a1 &' ~ral ~ac H' >i{uBliiR?>tI ua ;,!!Ot'>T3 '>fRo U;ipl' I (3) aH'o' fl1'>1'8 ij f& '>1I1U'a'3 fI' i'i ?>'il' cil ;'let ~ H3"<>& &e1 HII'ffilI' '>I'HtI »fa' 5'cl I1lli!' R,fe'>l' 531 afc31 a' feR R ill liS' Q&R~ uiiil ?;]' I RH;~'a »i'~1 ao e& );lllo ~ HOI &1 0;'0 if ~11<5 n ,Jl3 ~, ,;;~ t'l'Ia &e1 &Hi'io '>1,t!Hl~ uo feR &' 'JO' '>1Ra US3' aI 31RIJ, .mo »i'~~l~' U3 feR &' 'la' »IRo ?>' ,,1 u~ 5010 »iala fu?> ii ors~ UO fl!R 01' »iFfO us il'e 3 fe?> ii a'R3 ir ill RfiOo';] 5 ,1'3' a I feR ~R3 ~<:I afaR 501 iI'ale f01 ~""l!l ';;a Ha<:lH }j' ;,aa "aioT OIl or<l'ol~' &' »ta R'l! a wei; ii 3t1C/o'3 &' fR8fR8" '>I);lIl'o'3 ii' &H 5

tI'~1

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(6) Ra~'a »latlo fil"ul Rlf<Ji! 011 3R>i R&lH 011 il'i!3 »iat! .:I fOl ~3 ii l-j;fBO/ 3 »iIU ~R &1 If''''lf ~ fll»i'8 al 3aa Cia ~'_ Drive It out of mind, fa\U<f feR &' 031~1 ?>I&'HGjllll >ria 31lial a, fu~ ' f& at »iilla Cl51 ;,~a3 'iel 3 O?l&lc l _Rlf<J1 1tll?illl I Bor?> '>1ill ~ <la i 51 feR ii fei!3W8 Ol' ~el ",lfCl'>f' Gj' tI~a3 ?>ul' I ~fail!~ iI';] 3 aii' <lf3a il8E 011111 5011 I ~R tla .ijRI a» 010 R'Il3 ClEHl if '1B '15' I "101 "'&3 feRf3&515 Rlla >iia llaEI83 ii fE»'<5 011 ~ I '

296

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AI{ALI MOVEMENT

fll8 ~8 H'1l8' H' tfu3 R'f'll! ii tffiBl il8BT f<i~§' iii R'l! :;i1l8' C/iJlfl?,>(' il'~ I fl:'R ii' ~3 il'fl:'l>(' i')I 5~ B' I ill! 301 '>(Ill Ung 0' lS' <ii ~<J il8BT illH 0<11' 010 ~'<ii I ~o ~ '>!Qil 010 ~ UII ii fflB' B' 3'fOl <lfl III ~o ii f~llall <la g', >ii, ~o \lQ i'ia ~'8' I (8) <JH ii' it III ~&r f!ilO 11'8<1', ~l>!'II' <1oio' ,>(8,~';j ftiol,>(i '>ioll'B Olil oil ij' fOl '>!J.!al<lo ;je l 01' '>(U~ '>(U~ fl?8'iil lie Fl:'llf301!!'8 aij'. >iio rl Bl'lrii' ii' fI?B'OI' 011 3a:;: R eOl ilOl 'i<1H8 BulBl ;jar 1100 OIa'e' I ~ilB ij fell ii <JIl' all;!~I1'c ~ 01':0:1. :;:'fI?B' u~iiill' I (9) fu~ 'iA8H'~' ~ <rR'B ~ 'i3801 ii8'"O' l:!i'J)'!B ,>(51, <JOll).! '>(il).!5 "1'"0 >iio l!»I THl13o>!' ~B ~ ~OI ).!lfiill Ft!<151 il' f,j~Frd'o c} 3H').! BTiiJa' aT <iia aa~ ii 81il 118'I?T ij I filR a1;rrallt ~i: <5 'l::l (~t'lB) R3!!a 'i<iao a1 ij I IilR' "0' 5 FOI (13)'!B' ii 3W).! '>Ii/'lIs1 ~ H'eo ;'j ll~alfilRc ij' fl?R <FaTl! Ua i35 '>(I~' >iia <JH'a ' ailf8~8?i f(lfa t!'~ Ufl UR <J1 0 ' ;i llli I FI?Il ~ 51e l)jijJC! 3 101l! 3aB18 <lO' RGf' 3' FB<J81 ii' ~l:'1 ~Rcil 3'aTl! JiOl"a OIaT~ I FI?Il ~ li38a llaB'a HilI5 fR'ul '11 ffla<lO' 11'8<11'>1' Nl ii Fell a' fi3;;I'H aa 5' I

(7)

184 This Nankana Sahib and Guru ka Bagh affair after all may be Godsend. Let them start. In the end, we should select one main central place for struggle we may put forward all the resources at one command. But. in the meanwhile. let us engage them' at Nankana Sahib. and even at Guru ka Bagh. If they ehaJlenge us there also. The message of Narain Das to the Udasis and this reerultorder may be part of the same plan. Some safe and secure shop. house or land as near the Gurdwara as possible should be unostentatiously selected for the struggle. About house or shop nothing' further need be said but If possible. land at the Gurdwara Jhatar or Butwala well. near the school . would be excellent sites . You shoul~ proceed to the SpOt and concert all necessary me .. ures there. It should be kept in mind that no third party should be concerned;

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297

for Inuanee, If there is a tenant, his Interests can be purchased I>y formal relea.e on payment. The issue should, as far as possible, be clear and dean to convlnee the public that we are Invading no one's rights but the Govt. in pursuance of Its policy, declared by the Governor at Amrltsar, is Interfering in the management and control

of the Gurdwaras by taking away their Income and taking possession of their property. We should start by small beginnings In order to watch where and to what extent the GoVt. commits itself. Care should be taken th.t the property and the possession of any ab,ent tenants are not Interfered with by t aking po5Session of their shops or houses and , therefore, no locks should be forced open . All this affair at Nankana Sahib should be controlled by some cool-headed and strong-minded responsible worker. Beside this, moderately worded but strong In facts and figur., propag.nda at extenslv~ scale should be started . In fact, we would suggest to you to , deeply consider the future poSSibility of our trying to get all our problem solved at Nankllna Sahib or Guru klI Sagh and with that view to prepare the ground, If you agree with us. 2. As for accounts ,ult, the declared policy of th~ Govt. being hostile altogether and all suggestions of a peace or comprom ise having dropped down, there seems no use In defending $UC~ a case as this. At the same time, to put our word on the r~cord, an application attaching the attested copy of audited accoun~ up to 31st March, 1923 should be presented to the Court, saYIng that books of accounts and other papers from which further ;accounts could be prepared have been se ized by the police, and, t~erefore, the later accounts have not been audited and shall be audited In due course and produced In Court; if so desired . After the declaration of the Governor at Amrltsar followed by the contemplat~d action at Nankana Sahib and other places, ~he defendant has b"",n forced Into the belief that It Is not posslbJe under the present circumstances to expect Justlee and fair play. Therefore, the defendant IsÂˇ forced to take no further part In the proceedings which have been taken malafides and under abnormal cirtumstance at the Instance of the Govt. After

298

SOME CO!<F IDE NT I AL PAP ER S 01' T HE AKALI MOVEMENT

putting in a well worded application to this effect, the applicant should retire from the Court. 3.

As ror the statement about negot iations. It Is no use with-

holding it further, so S. Mangal Singh or S. Rajah Singh should formally publish them on their own behalf as an authentic statement. We are glad to In form you that the contemplated action of the Govt. with regard to Nankan. Sahib and Guru ka Bagh and other news conveyed In your letter, has again infused new spirit In the Sangat Inside and the results and suggestions noted above sent to you with the approval of all except a few non-co-operators who do not take part In our proceedings in spite of our earnest entreaties. We think that you too should .11 unite and work with new vigour and determ ination as demanded by the ancient traditions of the Khalsa. By the way, we should like to know why S. Amar Singh has reSigned now when nothing is being done against his views so far as we know. As for Sujjan ' s affair, we shall address you later. 5. Try to obtain deposit money In the banks as they mature and earlier If poSSible. Present Is the time for the Sikh energy and perseverance. Yon know that the Sikhs, unlike other communities are historically well known for their steadfastness In danger and adversity. Shake off all doubts and pessl mlsm. The cause is true. Go forward and win! God bless you! tet all of you stick to your posts at head.quarters.

185 Moat Confidential

Nabha affair.

Some suggestions to give an idea of an honourable settlement in the present circumstances . Kindly consider over these: I. First ask for a Council of administration approved by H. H. (Not a Council of Regency, because in that case H.H. would have to formally abdicate In favour of his son and his own chance would be

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

299

lost for ever. He will never agree to this and will not abdicate. Nor is It desirable that any Rani should be made Regent. for that would create split in his own house. His future chances should not be destroyed.) ThIS Council will be appointed by Govt. or as a minimum

2. (aJ A council of administration inspiring confidence in the Sikh Community that It will maintain the Sikh character of the State. The Government will appoint this Council. and (b) Removal of restrictions on the movements of H .H . in India or outside (except

as regards entry into Nabha territory).

and (c) freedom to H.H. to

seek constitutional redress of his difficulties, If he so desire. in India

or England. (d) H. H.sÂˇ private property not to be attached. (Note-Secrecy is most important. At the same time continue to press for something more than the minimum, so that you may not at lea~t get the minimum.

Don't

reveal your minimum

easily

and at once).

186 I.

You must have seen the resolution about an

amicable

settlement of the Akali situation which S. Gul.b Singh intends to move in the Assembly. A copy is attached herewith . The first part is alright but the remedy suggested is vague and Indefinite. Kindly ask him at once to consult Pt. Malviyaji or Nehruji and get an amendment moved to his resolution to the effect that a committee of conciliation or settlement. whose names should be mentIoned in

the amendment should be appointed by Governor-General in Council to bring about a settlement. The names should be suggested with the consultation ofthe two Pandits, and should be a really useful committee from our stand point. Perhaps you know that S. Jogendra Singh Is also moving for the appointment of a Conciliation Board in the Council of State. An effort should be made with him, too, to get definite names suggested, and to see that the names suggested

300 SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AK"Lt

~lOVEMENT

In the Assembly and the Council of State are Ident ical 2. Effort should .Iso be made in consultation with Pandlt Malvira and Nehru jl to get â&#x20AC;˘ resolution of condemnation of the Punjab Govt. moved for failing to solve the Gurdwara problem and also of the Govt. of India for failing to appoint an Impartial comm ittee of Enquiry for Jalto fir ing affair. An adjournment should be moved for this purpose. 3. Kindly urge S. Kartar Singh and Gulab Singh M.L.As very courteously to move and exert themselves much more than they are doing and see and canvass and Influence the members of Assembly and Council of State In order to put all kinds of pressure on Govt. in the two Houses by asking questions. moving resolutions, adjournments, issuing a Signed manifesto on Akall situation, holding a public meeting at Simla, etc., etc. 4. It Is most necessary that S. Mangal Singh should go to Simla at once and stay there for some time and see members of both Houses with the help of Nehrujl and Malvlyajl and enlist support by enlightening them about our demands. the reasons of the failure of Birdwood negotiations, the repressive policy of the Punjab Government. etc. In short, he should organize the pressure that we wish should be put through the two Houses. He may there d iscuss with the great leaders like Malvlya)1 and Nehru)1 about his suggestion of presenting a Bill in the Assembly, though we think this Is not pr.cticable and every reasonable man will say, this Bill should be first p.ssed In the Punjab Council .nd then extended to the rest of the country. S. Mang.1 Singh should take literature with him like-Gurdwara Movement hand bill by S. Karear Singh, MLA. Jaito Tract recently printed at Madras, Statement about Birdwood negotiations. Note on our demands sent to Dass, etc. 5. S. Mangal Singh should specially see Nehrujl and request him on behalf of the S.G.P.C. to give us all support and help In every way. As for Nehru ji' s seeing Hailey or any other official, we are strongly of opinion that In the present blind mood of Govt. It is no use at all, rather harmful. and Nehrujl or any other person

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT 30

should Intervene only when Government Is in a proper mood and wants somebody to Intervene. We are sure you will agree with us. Sardar Hangal Singh should impress Nehru ji about the moderation and reasonableness of our demands and the breach of faith committed by Government In the last negotiations. About the Bill , as Pt. Malvlyaji has been entrusted with that work , anything that you want to do about it should be done with his consultation. But S. Hangal Singh should press Malviyaji hard to get the matter settled with the Hindu Councillors of Punjab immed iately, so that we may through Hindu and Sikh Councillors throw a challenge to GoVt. to give assurance about release of prisoners and then we will present the agreed Bill. 6. Re. Nankana Sahib-In your communiques and In the press lay great emphasis on the fact that the Judge in his order has clearly appointed the Receiver for all lands pertainin~ to the Gurdwara ! that not an Inch of that property Is entered In the name of the Mahant in the revenue papers as his prlv.te property, that the A.P'!. and Sudhar Committee is misleading the public by proclaiming that the Receiver has been appointed only for the private property ofthe Mahant ; that the Judge in his order has practically given his opinion that the Sikhs have not got anything to do with the Gurdwara and that it belongs to the Udasis; that the Sudhar Committee Is again deceiving the public by saying that there Is no fear about the Gurdwara, for the Judge 's remarks clearly show which way the wind blows. Kindly Instruct the press to follow this line.

7. Kindly send us at once a copy of the letter of our Sajjan which he wrote to Sardar Bahadur from D.D. in July 1923. This Is badly wanted at once. Further about this matter will be written on reeeipt of the above.

302

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

187 Re. the constitution of the S. G. P. C. a copy in English Is herewith sent. (I) It is true. it does not provide for the representation of the Udassis as they are non-amritdharis. under consideration since a long time.

This question has been The executive

committee

had passed a resolution for amending the rules about a year and a half ago, so as to give proper representation (0 the Udassis, as a special case in consideration of their services

to the

panch

and

the

Gurdwaras. (2)

Re. the Namdharls. They are Amritdharis and already

enjoy the franchise.

Their insistence on separate representation

is not well founded. Nlrmalas, Nlhangs, Sewapanthls and Nirankarls who are also Amritdharis have gladly thrown In their lot with the panth. They do get elected; and if election does not give them satisfactory results. the defiCiency Is made up through co-option. There is no reason why the Namdharis should not fare equally .well If they avail themselves of the opportunities thus provided. So far, they have generally refrained from participating in the elections. In two cases In the elections of 1921 and 1923 Namdharls who stood for a seat of one of their districts were elected alr ight. The S.G.P.C. however. has been co-opting some Namdharis so as to keep the number of their representation at 3 and these co-opted members have been leaders of Namdharls. The population of Namdharls in the last census Is below five thousand. while roughly speaking one member of S.G. p.C. stands for about twelve thousands. So that . the S.G.P.c. has been giving the Namdharls credit for a population for about 36 thousand; that Is more than 7 t im es their strength. Recognition of direct separate representation for Namdharis would be a dangerous things. as it would be a precedent for spliting up the Panth Into small camps; specially when the Namdharis have so far been having no Interest In the service of the gurdawaras. We would welcome a proposal which avoids the danger pointed out and at the .. me time satisfies the Namdharis without creating

SOME CONFIDENT IAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVE MENT

303

opposition in other quarters.

3. In Section IV we have suggested a provision for deciding any possible Hindu-Sikh dispute about a public place of worship. As an alternative to this suggestion , we are prepared to discuss any forum of mutually acceptable arbitration , or any other proposal which may be acceptable to the Hindus as well as to the Sikhs.

188 "

D. O . Letter No. 770 Dated 30-8-1923 My dear Mr. Cralk, I have taken no action about resuming Forest rights granted .to the Namdharyee Sikhs by the Maharaja, so far . I have merely enquired from them the authority on which they hold the forest. As a matter of fact the fo r est was given to them by a verbal gift on the proposal of the Maharaja and they hold no written deed of gift or anything of that kind , I do not, however, Intend to remove them for the present or Indeed at all provided they refrain from bringing the Bir under cultivation. The matter Is not at all urgent. Yours Sincerely C ,M,G. Ogilivle

H. D, Craik, I.C.S. , Governor's Camp, Punjab .

304 SOliE CONPIDENTIAL PAPERS OP THE! AKALI J1(OVEIoIENT

189

List of Akali Prisoners Confined in the Subsidiary Jail Bhatinda and ordered to be released by the Maharaja of Patiata Shamsher Singh slo Dh.ram Singh of Nagri (Sangrur) 2 Bhagwan Singh s/o Rur Singh of Longowal (Sunam) 3 Dlwan Singh slo Khem Singh of Gldrl. P. S P.yal . .. Meha1!.Stngh s/o Prem Singh of Charnab. . P. S. Sun .... S Kehar Singh sio Anokh Singh of j. ipur. P S. Pay.1 6 . Ch"anan Sll1gh s/o Hazur. Singh of jaipur. P. S. P.yal 7 . Sanr Singh 'slo ~ ishan Singh of Patlal. I! ,. G·IIJ~akh Singh-'iTo KahlaSlngh of Dalel Sing;' wala , P.S. H,n., "' ,10 II 12. 13 14 15 16 17 . 18 19

P-ikliii 'sl"ih :s...C? jawahir Singh. p. S. Dlrbha Kahn SI.n-".s1b u,nknown. of P. S. Dlrbha Panjab ~~ik')/o Khazan Singh (Sangrur State) Gurmukh Singh slo HI,. Singh of Nldampur. p, S. Bhawanlgarh Hazur. Singh slo Harnam Singh of Mauran . P. S. Honu Partap Singh slo Budh Singh. residence unknown Prltam Singh slo Kishan Singh ofGaj.r Gurmukh Singh s/o Gurdit Singh of Dlrbha. P,S, Dlrbho Ama, Singh slo Lehna Singh of Bhawanlgarh Kahl. Singh s/o Dhaba Singh of Gajumaj,a. P. S. Bhawanlgarh jongl, Singh s/o unknown of Beguwal. P. S. Bhawanlgarh

190

ii'

';;lJ ~ lIl!lu-~-1l5<i

u<ill! U'frtl Ijuilt! lIfi1H5 11'0 ~ ' Rtfue <:. ill)fTl{ll.lilQ'l itt! ;jj >iiilJ,3'RlJ R R3ll'1l '11!=?=? i 3'aille?it~J.

'i,~

' (flo

ii ilii'O' u~ I lJlR3 W'ilH' ulllJ'lJl@· 3 ~'I! iu tfij'i ~R f't!O lifilB "'Ql5~· i iN' i -acr l ,jj~lJ' .

lI':ilI

~~~. f.w~ i : ;Ir,a.':' lI' >iilJ .ta lJ'R3 H' aCfl'i1 i{Cl~ CflJ elllf' fupw q. I UII (flo cr' ' ~~ >iilJ IIfui ~lJ<1l)fra' jI,: CII~'I ~R i ~ era litll'a ~~ ~.~R i

'~RlJ1 ~~l)f'lJ"

lI'

~R ~ui

are I ~

CflJ if1ll'a

u~ 3

lIfim ~~lIt~ ~ II'R ear ii;;ro H' tiI<:'i'i ;j lJ\J' lI' ;:u; ~ I ~:sl -elJ .,

Maol.n. Klf.yacull.h's statement r.garding Guru k. bagh, September 10, 1911 (No. 190. pp, 304-07

<rJi oiila iii! Q'lI1l1 ii' fea~ a1»11 "3 H~ ~"" f~ 1>I'il "ii1;:;U ;1 fe" R~i: iia iilI5 ilwa Il l lffl QiJI uqil fill"", i!!~»f'iI' II" iJTt!iI ;j aa I>I1i w.n ~ 8a'51'>1' alti; a il'l; ~ ~le f3"1'iI ;j fOT'>f' ii, <lH ?; ~ orllJll fa fe>! )jfji!<! ;i li1 1>/'lI(!!ll>f,ijii ~II 8' 1 filII 91til~ ~ ill-{ f' fi1ll fle>!lij' a' e-of mil iIltffilJ!101 ..1 3'i)i: it fell 1;1'<l1 - a1 ij"", '1'3' il'>f' Il'Hi ",'fellf' I fim HiI'i') ..1 i:3 l./O ilH ms Ii €Ill it ,,1~ iii!lq ill R fum lim ~ ii 3«<ill3n ~R <it UuiW3 f""3alft l./O ;o'f'!l)j' al :

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>ifa fl!l!f3lf5'8" >ifa <!~f3 i'llill' crr ~cr lIftitlil lIfR<J ";Jll;!lil'lICIlf't! -el I

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;rom<J cr;rnr >ii<J ~I'I3 allffiH mllf' I (~) l;!<i1R acrl 191 From Professor Ruchl Ram Sahnl, M.A , Rattlgon Road, Lahore. To A. W. Mercer Esquire, Deputy Inspector General of Police. Central Range, Amrltsar. Lahore, 25th September, 1922. Sir, I received your letter of the 18th instant In due course , but as I had to leave Lahore for a couple of days immediately after, I am sorry I could not reply to it earlier. . I have said all that I know about the robbing by the police on the 4th Instant, near the Chhina bridge, In two communications to the 'Tribune'. I had a list of certain persons who were among those said to have been robbed in the fi elds of their valuables and ornaments as well as cash. Th is list was given to me by S. Amar Singh , Editor of the Loyal Gazette. I had kept this list with me for about ten days and then handed It over to an Assistant Editor of the Band. Matram. I phoned the gentleman twice yesterday but he seems to be out of station. I believe you can obtain the list from S. Amar Singh. I cannot understand what purpose our statements can serve

to anyone considering that hundreds of men were being chased far into the fields and robbed In broad day light and that an appeal made to the Superintendent of Police proved as fruitless as one to

3~8

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PA PERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

the Tehslldar both of whom were present and were watthing the whole th ing As I have said in the Tribune, I myself pointed out a particular horseman to Mr. Belty and requested him to have the mlO searched for a white sheet whlth he h,l d taken off the person of an onlooker who had been chased into the fields and which he had tied round his waste under his toat. Not only did Mr. Beaty pay no attention to my reCjuest, but he threat~ned me with the remark. 路路You are not an investigating officer, go and report to the

Thana and see the result." A similar request made by Mr. Sundram, B A. , LL.B. (Assist.nt Editor of the Independent of Allahabad), to 'he Naib Tehslldar abou, ano,her man who also had been busy robbing people In 'he fields me' with no better success. If these two officers of government deny our statements we know what to think of them whatever the Government may say to the contr.ry. On the other hand , if they speak the truth, you will not stand in need of any further enquiry. . Yours faithfully, R. R. SAHNI

192 /\

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Rangoon 28路6路1934

My dear Sardar Sahib, You will receive this letter of mine after you will have read that I have permanently and completely retired from all Panthic activities and that I shall not resume them at any future time unless some special need for me Is felt by the Panth. Moreover, for some months, I shall live at some remote place unknown to my friends and relatives. The object is that I should hear no reasons of friends and no taunts of opponents. At this parting I remember you not only as a friend but also as a patron who was so kind to me when I was a student.

No doubt

Maner Tara Singh to Sir Sunder Singh Majlch!. Jun~, 18, 19H.

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309

1 fell out with you occasionally. but your regard never diminished In my heart . I have a great regard for your qualitIes and love for your loving heart. But I feel much remorse to remember that I wrote so mething about you which I should not have written . I remember two such things . One I corrected Immediately afterwards and the other remains uncorrected.

But this which remains uncorrected shollid not

be corrected . for correction itsel f is its repetition. The fact Is that I published this without knowing what it means. I understood It after it was published . An editor of a dally newspaper is overwor ked and he is apt to make such mistakes when some clever

correspondent puts something cleverly. I am much ashamed for . comm itting such a folly and I never dared to ask your pardon. But my heart

hlS

always been heavy.

I am sure you are too magnanimous

to remember su, h things. but to lighten my heart at this parting when I am turning a new leaf in my life, I beg you on bent knee. to excuse me . I am not giving you my address. So you cannot reply but I presume that you will forg ive me even though you do not know what it Is that you ar e forgiving . With faith In the greatness of your heart, I lighten my heart. Yours Sincerely Tar. Singh Sardar Sunder Singh ji Maj ithio ,

Amritsar.

311 ERRATA Page

Line

17 18 19 23 24 28 29 30

Sardar Sarbar 2S for Read 1963 28 1923 Imama 17 Imam 5 it It 10 Delete to after keep Letter No. 16 Should be dated 7.1.24 dut 22 but Read for 28 these there

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While while 2 l etter No. 17 should be dated 8.1. 24 14 beotings Read beatings for 16 deseases diseases 27 m1nimus minimum 20 29 ! trictest stricest 12 entirety encirity 19 submission sub-mission orders order 31 prolongatio n prolongation 17 understand underÂˇstand far for 20 officials officiels 22 opponents apponents 26 It It 9 latter letter 6 Swarajya Swrajya 25 to you 26 your our 12 Add after Gldwanl 15 Read Malavlyaji for Malvyajl fast Malavlyaji MalvyaJI

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SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS ÂˇOF THE AKALl MOVEMENT

Page

105 107 109 110 110 III

112 113 115 118 119 122 123 124 126 129 132 141

144 146 147 152 153 154 157 158

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314

SOME CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

Page

161 163 164 171 173 182 184 191 196 198 199 200 207 210 217 226 227 234 139 250 252 272 280 283 292 302

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(OI'FIDE 1'11AL FA I E liS CF 1 hE JlK All l<CVE ME I'T

,15

INDEX A Abdul Hamid , 224 Abdul Majid Khan, 15, 17 Achhar Singh. 13 Ajmal Khan, 296 Akalis, 166 Akal Takhat, 10,210 Ali Brothers. 58 Ali Imam, 19-20, 216 Am .. Singh, 13,32. 154, 199,209 237, 280, 282, 298 Amrik Singh, 31 Amrftsar J throughout

Anand Kishore Mehta , 3 Andrews, c.F., 58, 120, 122 Arbel Singh, 222-23 Arjan Singh, 79, lOS , 106, 121, 132-34, ISO, 157, 159, 170, 17273,213,234,276, 295 Arjun Dev, Guru, 36 Asaf Ali, 123, 125-26 Assa Singh, 31 Autar Singh, 31,213

B Baba At.I, 10 Bachan Singh, 42-43 Bahadur Singh, 154 Bakhshish Singh, 9, 139, 187 Bakhtawar Singh, 137 Bal Singh, 138 Balwant Singh, 32, 222 Banta Singh, 13

Basaw. Singh, 13, 15 Basheshar Singh, 217 Batan Singh, Giani, 32 Beazley, J- G_, 156-57 Bhag Singh, 138, 163, 165, 197. 276, 292 Bhagat Ram, 116, 247, 261,269 Bhagat Singh, 32, 204 Bhagwan Singh, 33 Bhal Pheru, 214, 291 Bhupend ra Singh (Maharaja of Patiala) . 215 Bljla Singh, 181-82, 188 Birdwood, Sir William, 7e-77, 79. 84, 86,88, 91 , 100, 102, 117122 --Committee, 69-78, 85, 87 100-03, 129, 275 --Negot iations, 118, 123, 128 Blshan Singh, 159 Boota Singh , 137, 159

C Cavasselur, 5.5., 177, 209 Chanan Singh, 31 Chanda Singh, 95 Chatopadhyay, 106-08, 112-14, 125 Congress, Indian National, 122 Craik, H.D. , 18,71,75-77. 83 , 86, 88,90-91 , 98, 101 , 149, lSI , 156, 248 Crump, l.M ., I Cunnighum, 153

J IG

S O~I E

C J )lFIOENTlAL PA PERS OF THE AKAU MOV E MENT

Charan Singh , 205 Cha ran Singh Shahld , 5.5 .. 178

D D.D. Fri end (Dehra Du n. (M aharaja of Nlb h, ), 295, 298,30 1 Dallp Singh, 12, IS, 138 - -of Man. Talw.ndl, 13 Dan Singh. 139,2'" D.,wandh. Singh, 154 Datu Ram, 41 Daulat Singh , 79, 91,98, lOS , 112, 123-21, 132, 135, 159, 171-72, 207, 234 Day. Kl,han Kaul, 95-96, 116, 175 Deedar Singh , 105-06, I IS, 174, 271 Dass, De, hb andhu C.R., 121-22 Dhanna Singh, 261 Dharam Singh , 32, 159 Dina Nath, 58 Dhira Singh, 159 Diwan Singh, 32 Dhunna Singh, 32 Durga Das, 14, 17

E Emerson, H.W. , 134, 136-37, I.... Â· 146,147-48, ISO-51

F Fargue, De La, 145 Fatehgarh Sah ib, 138 Fauja Singh , 32

Fazal-i-Hussain, 288

G Gane,ha Singh, 13 Gandh i, M.K. (Mahatma), I I, 5256, 117,120, 250, 264, 266, 278 Ganga Ram , 212 Gian Singh, 31 - 32 Gldwanl, 58 Golden t emple, 10 Gopal, 8 Gopal Singh , 79, lOS, 133, 139, 170-71 --Quami, 139 Grady, 22 Gulab Singh, 299 Gulzara Singh, 12 Gurbaksh Singh , 32 , 128, 133 , 138, ISS, 17 1,201-06,230 232, 238-39, 279 Gurbax Singh, 135, 147, 159 Gurcharan Singh, 142, 166-67 Gurdarsan Singh , 292 Gurdlal Singh , 32 Gurd it Singh, 138, 209, 243 Gurdwara Act, 166, 287. 88 Guru ka Bagh Mo rch., 296-97

H Halley , Sir Malcolm I 12, I 18, 12224, 129, 174, 189, 202 , 300 Harban , Singh, 79, 151, 159, 199 - , -SlStani, 159, 171 Harchand Singh , 1 I, 159, 171

SOME CONFIDENT IAL PAPERS OF THEAKALl MOVEME NT

--of Lyalpur, 3, 135, 137, 177 Hardit Singh , 13, 15 Hari Singh, 12, 138 Harklshan Singh, Bawa, 69, 75-76, 138, I 73-H, 221-24, 227-28 Harnam Singh, 32 - - Kadlrwala,32 - .-.. P. Sub. , 32 Hazara Singh, 159, 170-71 Hira Singh, 33, 159, 252 Hukam Singh, 31, 15~,

I Indar Singh, 32 , 225-26 Inder Singh, 3i Ishar Singh, 267

J Jagan Nath Sehgal, 3 Jagat Singh , 32, 183 --Sodhl , 42 Jai Singh, 31-32 Jaito, 82, 160, 291, 295 Jassa Singh , 225 Jaswant Singh, 31. 133, 138, 194-95 Jawala Parsad , 160 Jawala Singh, 9, 31-32 Jawala Singh of Saldpur. 13 Jhanda Singh , 13, Jinah. Mohamad Ali, 2~2 Jiwan Singh, 44, 186 Joglndra Singh , 32, 106-07, 121, 131-32, 13~, 244, 248-49, 253, 255-56, 258, 266, 268, 272, 274-

317

75, 282-84 Jodh Singh, Bhal, 20-30, 70-71, 75,77,81 , 83, 87, 90-91 , 10004, 132, 135-37, 145-51 , 15456, 159, 168, 171,261 ,268 Jora Singh, 41-42, 299 Joshi , 5hrl Krishna, 6-7

K Kahan Singh, Bhai, 9, 17 Karam Singh. 33 Kartar Singh, 31. 224, 254, 267,

300 Kashmira Singh . 269 Kehar Singh, 270 Khalsa COllege, 177, 184, 281 Kharak Singh (Baba), Ii , 213 Khushal Singh , 279 Kishan Singh, i3, 15,32. 133, i39, 182-83, 188, 227-28 - - Constable, 42-43 Kitchlew, Dr., 58

L Labh Singh, 13 --of Kesarpur, 13 Lachhman Singh , 79, 105 Lakha Singh, 31 Lakhmlr Singh, 187 Lal Chand Falak, -4 Lal Singh, 202 Langley, 160 Lehna Singh, 32 Liaqat Hayat Khan, 189, 192

S18

SOME CONFlDl,NTIAL PAPERS OF TifF: AKALI MOV E ME NT

M Macauliffe, 153 Maclagan, Sir Edward . 82 , 178.

2048

Mohan Singh Vald , 33 Mohtnder Singh , IS, 90. ISS Mohru . 8 Mool Singh , 32 Mota Singh. 177,180·83. 188 Moti Lal Nehru . 60·61 , 120. 122-27

Mahinder Singh, 3, 137,159,19798,200,210,213,220.12 Mahmud Ali . 41 Mubarak Rai, 15 17 Malavlya, Madan Mohan , 58, 61. Mukerjee, Harl N.th , 3 116. 123. 242 . 244,248·49, 269, Mul Singh . 170-71 273,279. 296.299-301 Musa Singh. 13 ·Man Singh . 32. 216, 768. 170 Mangal Singh. 79. 83, 98, 105, N 120-22, 124. 127, 135-36, 147. ISS, 159, 166,169·72.196, 199. Nabh., Maharaja of N.bha 203, 250. 252, 258, 260-61 , (Ripudaman Singh). 70, 109265·66, 270. 273, 278. 280. 283, 16, 181 785-86, 292, 296, 298, 300 - -Agitation , abandonment of, - - Kooka . 3 Mastan Singh, 233 Nahar Singh, 228. 234 Maynard, Sir John . 211·12, 248 Nanak Dey, Guru, 66 Mehar Singh, 230 Nanak Singh, 138 Mehtab Singh . 14, 32,69, 75· 76. I Nankan. Sahib Affair, 296, 97,301 82.93,95,100, 103,114-15.133. , --Massacre , 152 138. 154. 162·63. 172, 196, 202, ' - - Tragedy, 179, 277 206. 209. 215,219·23 , 225-26 Nand Singh, 12, 205,264 285-86, 288, 292 Narain Singh, 41·43 , 69·70, 75. Mllkha Singh . 12. 296 81,83, 86 . 88·89, 91 , 95 .96, Minchin (Colonel). 20·24,27, 41. IOl.03 , 106, 131, 133, 135·36, 75-77, 86 138, 147, ISS, 159, 171 , 254

Missionary College, 294 Mit Singh , 13, 139 Mohammad Hussain. 8 Mohammad Sh.fIi. 1'18

Naranjan Singh, 31 , 79 Narinder Nath , Raja , 249 , 25 I, 259 Narsinga Rao, I, 173

SOME CONF IDENTIAl. PAPERS OF THE AKALl MOVEMENT

Natha Singh , 42 . Nathu Ram, 40 Nehru (Motl L.I) 58, 279, 299301 Nihal Singh, 4, 245 Nika Singh, 42 Nlranjan Singh, 37, 39-40, 228, 234 Nlrm.1 Singh, 32 Nasir-ud-Din, 227

o O ' Dwyer, Michael , 175 Ogilv ie , 18, 161 Oliver, 118 Onkarnand , 58

p Pandit Malavly., Madan Mohan, 283-84, 296 See Malaviya Pan ikkar, K. M., lOS, I II , 113, 117, 120-24, 127, 172 Partap Singh. 32, 79, 135. 137 , 155,159. 170 , 186.267 Patlala and Akali Movement. 175 Patiala . Maharaja. 177. 188 Peel, Lord, 117-18 Petman, 157. 159 Piara Singh, 138 Pindi D.ss. 4 Prem Singh, 106-07 Prit3m Singh, 12, 15 Prithipal Singh , 276 Puckle. 136-37, 148.151 , 172 Purtap Singh. 12

JI~

Pyar. Singh, 223

R Rafiq M. Khan , 220-21 Raghublr Singh , 258 Ral Singh, 139, 142 Ra)a Singh , 32,79.83, 98, 105-17, 123. 129, 132. 172, 237 Ram Singh. 138, 161, 183,215 Ran Singh. 233 Ranblr Singh , 32, 106 Randhir Singh, 2li6 Ran)lt Singh , 176 Ran)odh Singh , 139, 230-32 Rao, 20-21 Ratan Singh, 32 Reading, Lord. 28, 118 Ripudaman Singh. Maharaja of Nabha), 24, 74, 175-77 Rowlett Bill , 188 Ruehl Ram Sahni, 131, 308 Rur Singh, 143

S Sadhu Singh. 33 , 267 Sahib Devan. Mala . 36 Sahib Singh. 31 Sangat Smgh, 137 Santanam, 58 Santa Singh, 183, 187 Sant (Didar Singh). 271 Sant Singh , 142 Sarmukh Singh. 139 Sarup Singh, 32. 275 Satya Dev.. 1

320

SO~E

CO>ll'IDENTIAL PAP ERS OF THE AKALI MOVEMENT

Sehgal. Jagan Nath, 3 TeJa Singh . 32, 69, 75-76, 116. 138, 142 . 202, 208-09, 237 , - - Kldar Nath, ~ Sen , 20 ')89-90 Sewaram Singh, 15~ - -Bhuchar, 180-81 , 277 Sew. Singh, 44, 139 - - Chuharkana, 139, 144 - - Ghawlnd, 138 Shadi Ram, 42 - - Professor, 207 Shankracharya, 61 Sh.rdhanand (Swami), 58, 296 ; ' -- Samundrl , 13B, 167-70, 172, Sher Singh, 31, 138, 209 !.', 114, 197, 271,286 Sherwani, 125-26 Thakar Singh, 12, is, 21 Shiromani Akall 0.1, 193 - - Namana, 12, IS Thaman Singh , 13 Shivdev Singh, 8-9 Thompson. 21 Soh,n Singh Chet,npuri, 1~2 Tipper Chand, 7, 26 --Shelkhupura, 31 Tripat Singh. 139 Stuart, 19, 25-26 Sucha Singh, 33 u Sudagar Singh, 31 SuJan Singh, Master, 31 Udham Singh, 13 Sunder Singh, 98, 280 UjJal Singh, 121, 253-54 - - Batala, 33 Uttam ~Ingh, 261 31 v - -Majithia, 176, 184,270, 284, 309, --Nareka, 31 ' Varyam Singh, 194 - -Ramgarhia, 10 Verma, Salig Ram, 7 --Rasaladar, 131 , 163-292 Vlshvan.nd, 58 Surain Singh, 268

--Ghu~an,

T Tara Singh , H , 135-36, 147, 150, 155-59. 170-72, 198, 242, 149 - - Master, 139, 173 . 245.309 Taran Tarn . 10. 18 Taru Singh, Bhai, 1'56 Tegh Bahadur, Guru 36

Waryam Singh, 31 Wazlr Singh, ~3 Wilson, .oil , ~3

z Zalar All, 3 Zia-ul-Haq , ~