The spokesman weekly vol 31 no 25 march 1, 1982 by Sikh Digital Library

Vol. 31 No. 25

NEW DELHI, 1st March, 1982

Price: 60 Paise

Attacks On T\NO Gurdvvaras In LudhianaAnd M,ussoorie Sikhs In Ranchi Denied Site For Their Shrine Shiromlloi Gurdwara Prabandhak Comniittee, supreme religious body of Sikhs everywhere, -bas demanded thorough probe into three incidents. Two of them relate to attack on gurdwaras while the third concerns gross discrimination shown against Sikhs. It has also asked the authorities for remedial measures with immediacy and expedition.

Sahajdharis, And the town of denying off-day to Sikh itself has a population of several employees on all of their main thou,and Sikhs, Yet the HEC gurpurabs . This is-- in contrast has refused to allot a site for a . to the full holidays announced gurdwara, for festivals of other religions. The president of Sri Guru . This step-motherly treatment becomes all the more ' painful Singh Sabha, Jagannath Nagar, when it is known that HEC' has Ranchi, has already sent teleallotted sites to followers of all grams of protest to the prime other religion~-Hindus, Mu&路 minister, UOiOD home minister lims, Christians, Jains and and SOPC president. Now it Buddhists-not only sites for is for all Sikhs to rush to their their shrines but also sites for succour and 路 get the needful done. their cultural centres, HEC has also been accused

In Ranchi, Bihar, the governCertain goondas attacked Heavy Enginethis week a gurdwara attched to ment-owned a school in Mussoorie, a: hill ering Corporation is guilty of station in Uttar Pradesh, But gross discrimination against the authorities have taken no the Sikhs .. It has more than action against them, Now the .500 Sikh employees, including principal of the school, the staff and the students feel unsafe, In a telegram to U.P, Government, SOPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra has "severe action" demanded against the guilty persons. This is not the first time that religious sentiments of the Sikhs have been sought to be . As feared, the railway budget, presented to parliainjured in ' U.P , Sometime ago pages of the Guru Granth Sahib ment on February 23 by Railway Minister, Mr. P. C. _-'Iere found torn in Saharanpur. Sethi, has imposed a crushing burden on the common In a)lother case, the Nishan man and is likely to push up the inflationary trends in Sahib was desecrated, Also ' posters, eulogising a parJicular the country. The rise in passenger fares , were rounded off recently - and brand of cigarette, were pasted on Sikh houses, now proposed varies from 15 to an additional surcharge of 10 to Strangely, a grave incident 25 percent. It is the 21st hike 15 percent on freight was clam-' has been reported from Ludhi- since independence, making a ped down last December. ana which has a majority of cumUlative effect of 315 percent Mr, Sethi has tried to give Sikh population . The police since 1947. the impression that alHuent entered a gurdwara of Nihangs, Apart from withdrawing which was near the Samrala-end existing concessions, Mr. Sethi - sections of the society have also ofthe hy-pass, demolished the has levied huge penalties on been penalised, But this is not There are glaring anohuilding, and took away the lower clas. passengers~ But, true. malies between long路distan~e Guru Granth Sahib and the strangely, suburban commuters Nishan Sahib. The police dis- have be~n spared a new hike .. upper class and lower class fares, trict chief had promised to though suburban services result For example, air-conditioned deposit the holy volume and the in a loss of Rs, 70 crores to the fare between New Delhi and Nishan Sahib at local Gurdwara railways. This is curious case Madras will go up by less than five percent as against 20 percent Kalgidhar, but it has not been of fare rationalisation. Of done so far. The Railway Minister has for second class fare , SGPC General Secretary also broken with the convention, course, sh.o rt-distance travellers Bhan Singh has demanded an followed by his predecessors, shal! have to dish out as much explanation from the district of granting some concession as 25 percent more, This is all the more painful officers. He has said that if to short-distance, ordinary the facts are otherwise, they second class passengers and because the performance of the should be placed before the items of mass consumption. railway during the current finan .. public so that a true picture is The imposts were already cial year is claimed to be more made unbearable when fares satisfactory as compared to the known.

Railway Budget Imposes Heavy Burdens On Common Man "Rationalisation" Of Fares And Freights Dec_eptive previous ones. Passenger traffic at 150,25 billion has been described by Mr. Sethi as "the best ever", and the wagon turnround is also better than the 1980-81 figure of 15.2 days. Productivity rate is said to be higher than for many years and there has been spurt in revenue路 earning goods traffic-" the highest ever freight loading of about 220 million tons achieved ' on the Indian railways", The estimated surplus in next financialyear is 100 percent more than during the current one.Because of all this, it should have been possible for the railway minister to spare people more burdens. But this was not to be. Quite astonishing is nearly 50 percent increase in freight rates for newspapers, magazines and books. It is a tax on free flow of information so essential in a democracy, Already out of the ordinary man's reach, . these things shall become more difficult to purchase.

THE "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY

1st March, 1982

Court Notices' ' In the Court of Sh. Jagdish Chandra, District Judge, Delhi. Guardianship Act Case No. 27/82 The Delhi administration has I. Mr Arvind Mohan Khurana, . set up a PUlljabi · Academy, an 2. Mrs Hemamalini Khurana, autono,·n ous body, under th~ Sardar Manjit Singh Rana both rio 35, Chr.istian Society, chairmanship of the Lieut.Governor, Mr. S.L. Khurana. Fateh Ganj , Baroda (Gujarat), has taken over as director . The academy would help (marketing) at Indian Oil Corpopresently r io 16/ 5, Kalka Ji, promote Punjabi- and en.courage ration's headquarters in Bombay. New Delhi. .. .Petitioners versus writers in the language, besides He has held various senior posts · I. M .O.C. 2. Sister Doereen, creating facilities for teaching in the corporation and was till Regional -Director & Sister recently the G.M. (Supplies). it in schools. .Incharge , Nirmala Shishu An amount of Rs. 50,000 One of his important assignBhawan, M.O .C. 12, Commishas been allocated to the ments before was as director of sioners Lane, Delhi Rcademy during the current Cochin Refineries . ,. The petitioners above-named year. The deputy secretary . Born in. 1935 at · Pliularwan, having applie!i to be appointed (finance), Delhi administration , nOW in Pakistan , Sardar Rana the guardian of the perSOn Sard ar Manjit Singh, has been graduated as an aeronautical engipromotion board of minor Miss Chandana, born appointed secretary · of . the neer, with specialisation.in petro- invention academy.till the appointment of leum, marketing and distribution. (Nationnl Research and Deve-' On 23-9-1981 at Delhi. The 27th a regular secretary is finalised, He is Member of Society· of lopment . Corporation, Govero- day of February, 1982 has been a press note said . Seven · more Licensed Aircraft Engineers, ment of India) for indigeoous fixed for the hearing of the appliposts have also been sanctioned United Kingdom, and Associate development of a large callacity cation, and notice is hereby given to general public that if any and will be filled shortly. The Member of Aeronautical Society aircraft refueller truck. . . Sardar Rana has widely other relative, friend, kinsman academy will fUnction from the of India. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Trust In 1973, he . was given the travelled in Asia, Europe, USA or well-wisher of" ·the aforesaid minor desire to be appointed _; Secretariat, Sapru House. import substitution award by the and Australia. or declared as . guardian of the person · of the sai d minor or d~sire to . oppose the application of the petitioner . aforesaid, he should . enter appearance in person in the court, on the aforesaid date and be prepared to adduce evidence in support of his claim of to such . appointment declaration or in support of this opposition to the application of the petitioner aforesaid. . Given under my hand and· the seal of the court. This 23rd day of February, 1982. (Sea!) Sd /- District Judge, Delhi.· In the Court of Sh. J agdish Chandra, The Income-tax Act requires every person responsible District Judge, Delhi . for payment of salary to deduct tax at source at the Guardianship Act Case No. 109 /82 1 . Mr. Elis Karlsson 2. Mrs prescribed rates and deposit the same to the credit Margareta Karlsson both resi' of the Central Government iauitediately in the qse of dent of 13, Varnham 532 02 Axvall, Sweden, Government employees and within seven days in the versus .. .Petitiooers case of other employees. . 1. The State 2. S.O .S: Childrens' Villages of India, Vishal Bhaw.an, 95 , Nehru Place , New Delhi . The petitioners ab.ove-named (i) Recovery of the entire amouuts of tax having applied to be adoption IT· from him; appointed the g11a.rdian of the' , person of mioor Baby · Shilpa, (ii) Levy of interest lind penalty; and also born on 5 ..12.1981. The 3rd day . of March, 1982· has been fixed (iii) Prosecution which may lead to rigorous for hearing of tbe application ; imprisonment and also fine. and ooHce is hereby given to general public that if any other ~l .. relative, friend , kinsman or wellwisher of the aforesaid minor desire to be apPointed or declared ENSURE that the tax deductible on salary has been as guardian of the person of the said minor or desire to oppose correctly deducted and deposited into Government the application of the petitioner account within the·time. aforesaid, . he should enter appearance in perSOn in the ADJUST short deduction, if any, 01.)t of salary payCourt . On the aforesaid date ments made in the month of February/March, 1982. and be prepared to adduce evidence in support of his ·claim to such appointment of declaraDIRECTOR OF INSPECTION tion or in support of this (Research, Statistics & Public Relations) opposition to the application of INCOME. TAX DEPARTMENT the petitioner aforesaid . . New Delhi-llOOOI. Given uoder my hand and the seal of the court. This 25th davp 81 /326 day of February'-1982: (Sea!) Sd/- District Judge, Delhi.

Punjabi Academy set up at Delhi

Indian Oil Corporation's New Director (Marketing)

Sardar M.S. Rana takes over

Ensure Proper

Tax Deduction . from

Salaries

Default of the .Employer Attracts:

Avoid Penal Action

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0 Nanak ! to usurp another's right Is forbidden

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As is the Oesh of s"iDe to the MusUm Or the Oesh of the cow to ths Hindu -Guru Nanak Dev

• A THOUGHT FROM GURBANI

lst March, 1982

THE "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY

NOTES AND COMMENTS

World Sikh Festival

carved out a vast empire; in fact, this was the last bastioD 'I planned by the Golden Temple of freedom iD tbe Indian snbInternational Radio Corpora- continent when otber parts had tion based in United Kingdom . been gobbled up by the Britisb_ Beginning on July 9, this year, But after tbe Maharaja's death,. its aim wiII be.to highlight the decay set in and Sikhs contiimportance of Sikh religion and nued to be on downward slop.,._ . history through research papers Papers to be read at tbe Lond<m to be presented by Sikh scholars. festival would discuss tbe subSpecial stress shall be laid On ject whether, after Ranjit Singh's the birth of .the Khalsa and "its empire got dismelllbered, the Vol. 31 No. 25 1st Marcb, 1982 Price : 60 Paise uniqueness among' the" comity Sikhs lost their nationhood also. Thefestival shall begin with of nations"; views are to be excbanged On the present plight a huge procession to be~ led by of Sikhs and measures needed ' Sikhs in .tbeir traditional attir.,. to ensure ·, a bright future for of the yore on 50 horses; Guru them . It shall also be proved, Granth Sahib shaIl be on a The month of February shall always remain written with bistorical facts, how Sikhs well-caprisoned elephant. · On in golden letters iu annals of Sikhs, as it represents a are a H separate ria.tionU • July 10 a congregation shaJl be Sikhs have ' a chequered beld on the spot where the last saga of sacrifices for noble causes. Way back in 1920's, After the advent of remains of Maharaja Dulecp this month was marked by two main events: the mas- history. Guru Nanak , a new shape to Singh lie buried; speakers shall sacre of a Sikh Jatha at Nankana Sahib, which had gone his followers was given by Guru talk about the golden days of' , there to rid the birthplace of Guru Nanak from the Hargobind, tbe sixth Guru, Maharaja RaDjit Singb and theclutches of Mahant Narain Das and his cohorts, and the wben he donned the twin swords sacrifices since made by Sikhs. Moreha at Jaitu, in which 500 Sikhs became martyrs of "miri" (temporal power) and for noble causes. . On July II a . sball be held in Royal while facing British machine-guns. The most spectacular " piri" (spiritual power). ' A semiDar Albert Hall On tbe subject:: completely neW form and Conthing was tha,t no member of the two Jathas retraced his tent was given by Guru Gobind Sikhs are a nation; views expresstep even an inch back, though death was staring them Singb, tbe tenth and last Guru, sed shall be gO[ priDted in in the face; with Guru's name on their lips, they march- when he raised tbe Order of various world laDguages aDd the Khalsa by administering tbe distributed in all couDtries . The ed forward, regardless of the danger to their lives. be had designated the festival organisers bave invitedThe Nankana Sahib episode was the beginning - ofa Amrit; Khalsa a. the "army of the suggestions from Sikh organisamassive movement which finally rid our holy shrines Almigbty". Tbeir motto was: tions everywbere . so tilat alJi from toadies and Mahants (abbots) and led to the birth Never to frigbten anyone, nor views are represented on the' of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, an to be scared 1>y aDYODe. They occasion. This gesture is wise attained complete nationbood aDd welcome . . elected body to look after Sikh shrines. Mahant Narain wben Mabaraja RaDjit SiDgb

A three-day ' World • Sikh t, Festival in. London has been

MEMORABLE MONTH

Das was a debauch who was misusing Gurdwara Janam Asthan and its income from offerings for his personal pleasure. This was anathema to the Sikhs, and they took u'p the challenge in right earnest. A Jatha marched towards Nankana Sahib, and reached the g.urdwara; the Mahant had made all arrangements to "teach them a lesson"; he had collected armed supporters within the holy precincts. Soon after the Jatha forced its way into the gurdwara, it was showered with a hail of bullets, but, in keeping with the spirit of do-or-die infused by Guru Gobmd Singh, the members stayed on. Some of them were caught by the Mahant's men and burnt alive; even the holy volume of Guru Granth Sahib was riddled . 'Vith bullets and its pages smeared with the Granthi's . blood. The incident did not discourage the Sikhs; rather, on the contrary, it aroused them all the more to put · an end to unscrupulous creatures like Narain - Das; And they did succeed in their efforts eventually, everywhere in Punjab. · . The Jaftu Morcha was an off-shoot of the dethronement of Maharaja Gurcharan Singh of Nabha who, apart from being a devout Sikh, had refused to send his troops outside India to fight for the British during the first world war. Enraged at this, Sikhs decided to arrange a series of Akhand Paths at Jaitu, then in Nabha state and now in Bhatinda district. The British authorities refused this permission; this was taken as an affront to Sikh religion. Poured in Jathas from all comers of Punjab into the sleepy town; the first Jatha was mown down with machine-gun fire, but this did not deter others. They came swarming in on the town and the authorities had to accept the Sikh demand. . The same spirit has to be rekindled in every Sikh heart these days so that ' we remain true to our martyrs.

Too Rosy PresideDt SaDjiva Reddy's address to joint session of parliament, bis last before he bows out of office, thoDgh beiDg a candid appraisal, appeared to paint too rosy a picture. It is true that progress has been spectacular iD the core sectors, we expect record food production, rate of infiatioD bas beeD brought dowD from 14 percent last year to nearly two and a balf percent now, aDd gratifying acbievements have beeD made in scieDce and tecbDology. But there are negative aspects also . The .cost .of liviDg remaiDs as high as ever, and the benefits of iDcreased production or reduced iDOationbave not been reOected at the consumer's eDd; tbe public distribution system, though impressive, is far sbort of requirelllents; . tbere - are snligs in meeting oft-anDoDDced goals in literacy and elementary educatioD; above all, the Dew 20'poiDt programme wourd · be judged by the results ratber thaD the publicity blitz with which it has beeD launched. The address did Dot make any mentioD of corruption which bas .aeeped iDto all sectioDs of our life, Dor are signs . on tbe ' horizoD about . mucb-Deeded judicial and electoral reforms. It would also

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be wroDg to ascribe the deteriorating law aDd order situation only . to sectional agitations; much of the. blame must be shouldered by administrative failures also. Of course, the presideDt struck a healthy Dote wbeD he warned against differeDces among political parties "degenerating into discord"; we must echo bis advice that despite differences, which exist in a democracy, "the good of the- nation is an objective for wbich we. must learn to cooperate, traDscending disputes" . Tbe balaD""" of paymeDts situation is aggravated by the rising oil priCes aud the fall in exports; tbe ' latter could ' be pushed up by.· giving more rrecd~ and incen- · . tives to tbe private sector butt we still contiDue to be glued' to public sector. . The refereDce to "increased! military preseDce around u.:' bas special significance -for PUDjab; a s'ensitive state bordeIe iDg ' on Pakistan. We caDnot:: alford to be complacent, especi-, aUy when our Deighbour is _ ac,!uiriDg massive arms froIll. abroad; the position has been· further complicated by other ·nations' strategic calculatioDs. Extra burdens on us caDnot be avoided, nor caD we lower our vigil.,

THE "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY

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1st March, 1982

Childhood of the Sikh Gurus

poor. Guru Harkrishan refused to portrayed in variegated designs see the ruler of the day, thereby and colours by reputed artists. displaying a great courage. Tile The narrative is excellent and -rhe old·· Testament says they possessed. Even during his nine-year-old Gobind Singh is bound to inspire the children · "Train up a child in the wa~ childhood each Guru dedicated asked his father; Guru Tegh . to follow in the footsteps of the :he should go; and when he is hjmself to service, charity and ;Bahadur, to lay Q.own his life Great Gurus. The birthplace of ' old , he will not depart fron! it". deep meditation. Guru Nanak against religious intoletance . each Guru has been recreated the sacred and political zulum . There are in colour by the artist, through· ' Wordsworth called child as a refused to wear 'father of man, The childhood of thread (janeu) and spoke to his few parallels in world annals their .imagination and in~ight · ten Sikh Gurus could not be teacher of the sublimity of of such an inspiring · leader at based on · available historical different; episodes from them Godhood and brotherhood of such a tender age. data . . This would help the got reflected later on in great manloind; he made a Sacha Saud" Punjab and Sind Bank children show' due respect to the deeds they performed . Almost (true deal) by buying things with recently brought two profusely holy places and also usher them .all of them were precious, the money given to him ' by his illustrated booklets io English and into the knowledge of villages -displaying height of intelligence father and · distributing them Punjabi based on authentic his- and towns where each Guru the_ . torical among the _ mendicants and_ depth of .spiritu.l power accounts . The spent · _ _ •. _ __ ___ __ __ _ _·and ~ _ __ .e. _ _episodes ~_ are ._ _ _his_childhoo,d. ___

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handicapped today in Delhi than ever before. The Delhi Adminis tration is at present running 60 institutions/centres and services covering •.lmost all the facets of Social Welfare activities benefiting about 3,00,000 persons. These iqstitutions provide boarding and lodging and sqcial security to needy children, women, old aod infirm, beggars, leprosy-affected persons, the handicapped and the mentaBy-retarded. Facilities of education, training are also given to make them stand on their own

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The expenditure 00 plan in the current financial year going upto Rs. 225lakhs as· against Rs. 110 lakhs last year. The outlay for the next year is of the order of Rs. 338 lakhs on the State Sector.· The Administration has decided to observe this year too, as the Year of the Handicapped to ' keep up the tempo of the schemes started in IYDP last year. Some of the Schemes taken up this year are as follows :One school for mentaily-retarded children and another for the deaf was started for Trans" Yamuna area. .. The Government school for the blind boys was upgraded ·to High School level. A Hostel for the college-going blind students w~s sta~ted near the Delhi University. " Ninety-six dwelling units were allotted to leprosy-affected persons . " A sheltered workshop, to provide work and training and a Rehabilitation Centre were set up for 800 leprosy patients at Tahitplir, Shahdara . " The scheme of setting up residential institution for the orthopaedically handicapped is On the anvil. . " Social Assistance Centres to be opeoed. .. 178 Kiosks and staBs have been allotted to the . physically bandicapped to rehabilitate them independently. " A bout 300 physicaBy handicapped students are given educational stipend @ Rs .30/- and Rs. 40/- per month. Almost 1,00,000 children and 20,000 expectant 'and lectatiog mothers are provided with tbe special nutrition under the Supplementary Nutrition Ptogramme. * One short stay home for women and girls in distress and in moral danger has been set up.

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Tbe Delbi Admini~tt'ation reiledicates itself to tbe task of belping tbe handicapped and needy in 1982. . L

ISSUED BY:-

. THE DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY

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Anti-Beggary Drive Has Been Vigorously Launched. . _ Beggars Are Being Trained In Nine Homes To

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DIP /PLAN-3 /82

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THE "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY

ht March, 1982

The Sikhs and Non-violence* By : Dr. Mohioder Singb, Punjabi UniverSity, Patlala While the Sikhs are lIttracting global attention as a result of the media blowing out of proportion acts of terrorism and separatist slogans of a few individuals little mention has been made about the fact they have a long tradition of sacrifice and passive sufferings dating back to the martyrdom of their fifth master, Guru Arjan Dev. And again the Sikhs were the only community io Iodia who not oll1y respooded to Mahatma ' Gandhi's call for non-violent non-cooperation but successfully demonstrated the efficacy of this weapon through passive sufferings and martyrdom at :!'Iankana, Guru-Ka·Bagh and Ga.ngsar Jaito. It is interesting , to note that while the larger movement of non;cooreration had to be withdrawn by Gandhi as a result of violent incidents at Chaura Chauri, the Akalis suspended their agitations only after •they had gained control of thelt liistoric shrines and got the Sikh gurdwaras and shrines, Bill passed on terms acceptable to them . The Sikhs .are, ,perhaps the only religious community in the world who not only democratically elect their political leaders but also the central and local bodies for the management of their sacred places since the passage of the Sikh Gurdwara and Shrines Bill in July 1925. Based upon the Akali and nationalist paperS and private papers of Malcolm Hailey and other officials at the India Office Library, London and South Asia Centre, Cambridge, this paper, attempts to study the political implications of the Akali Movement and AkaU contribution towards movement of non-violent non-cooperation in the country. The Akali movement began in the early decades of the twentieth century with the Sikh reformers' belief that the places of their religious worship were being mis-managed and misused by their hereditary custodians called Mahants and the managers appointed or nominated by the British Governmeot. The movement turned a decisive turn after the tragedy of Nankana on February 20, 1921 in which Mahant Narain Das ' and the mercenaries hired by him mercilessly butchered Bhai Lachman Singh Dhorowali and' the Jatha of peaceful reformers led by him. Official involvement in the tragedy particularly that of Mr. C.M .. Based on author's "The Akali Movement," Macmillan, 1978.

King, the Commissioner of Lahore Division convinced the that · the Akali leadership Mahants alonp were not responsible for the massacre of the innocent Sikhs. After enlisting support from the ' nationalist forces in the country the Akalis now launched a twopronged attack directed agaiost the vested interest in the Sikh shrines on the one ,hand and against the British authorities in the province on the other. Akali agitatioo over the keys' affair and later their morchas at GuruKa- Bagh and G<\ngsar J aito are some important illustrations of their non-violent struggle and passive sufferings.

,Tbe Keys' Affair (Cbabian Da Morcba) The Golden Temple, the Akali Takhat and the adjoiniog Gurdwaras had passed into the control of the Akalis in October 1930. Sardar Sunder Singh Ramgarhia , the Government appointed Manager of Golden Temple, was also holding the office of Secretary of the new Committee of Management appointed by the S.G.P.C. Realising the force of pn blic opinion, he decided to fall in line with the' party of reform. Though the SGPC and the Committee appointed by it virtually contrOlled the affairs of the Golden Temple, the fact that the keys of the Toshakhana were still in the possession of a government appointed Manager, gave the reformers a feeling of continued official control over the Gurdwaras. At its meeting held on 29 October, 1921, the Executive Committee of the SGPC asked Sardar Sunder Singh Ramgarhia to hand over the keys to Sardar Kharak Singh, the President of the SGPC. Even before the resolution was made public, the news reached the Deputy CommisAmritsar, who sioner of decided to forestall the raanoeuvre by immediately sending an Extra Assistant Commissioner accompanied by a police party to Sardar Sunder Singh Ramgarhia to collect 'the keys of the Toshakhana . A period of intense agitational activity followed the surrender of the keys. The Punjab press, particularly the pro-Akali newspapers , reacted very sharply. While ceosuring the Government to taking over the keys of the Golden Temple, the Panth Sewak wrote, "What right has a foreign Government to ioterfere.in the affairs of the Gurdwaras? The Akali expressed its resentmeot in the following manner: ' On the one hand the keys

of the temple have been taken President of the S . G.P.C. away and the other the bure- when even after securing unconaucracy has crossed all limits of ditional release of the Akali tellies lies'. On orders from the volunteers arrested in connection Government of India the with the Keys' Affair; including Government of Punjab arrested Pandit Dina Nalh, President of prominent leaders of the keys District Congress Comm ittee; l\gitatfons. As soon as the news Ajnala. The A1eali leadership of thes,e arrests reach~d refused to collect the keys, ~ Amritsar. the SOPC which was gazetted officer of the Punjab in , session ' at ' Akal Takhat, Government was deputed to adjourned its meeting at Ajnala. deliver the keys to Baba KharalC Soon more than 50 members Singh, President of the S.G.P.C, reached Ajnala and contioued in a Diwan specially arranged proceedings of the Diwan. The for the purpose, authorities declared the assembly Unconditional release of the 'illegal' arid immediately Akalis and return of the , keys arrested all its members. How- was viewed by ihe nationalist ever, the arrests, instead of leaders in the country as a decichecking the advance of the sive victory for the forces of movement 'gave it a fresh nation'alism. Mahatma Gandhii fillip. who seems, to have found in ' the The S.O.P.C. by a resolution Akat;' victory an echo of the called upon the Sikhs ' to hold ~uccess of non-cooperation, sent religious Diwans everywhere to the following telegram to Bab", explain 'the facts about the 'Key Kharak Singh: Affair' . The resolution further FIRST BATTLE FOK advised ' the Sikhs to observe INDlA'S FREEDOM WON harialon the day .of the arrival CONGRATULATIONS of the Prince of Wa\e"s on Indian Struggle at Gnru.Ka-Bag& shores . Further, Sikh , soldiers and pensioners were asked not Akali struggle at-Guru·Ka , to attend any of the 'functions Bagh is a 'landmark both in the ' in honour. of the Prince. The history of the Akali Movement ' boycott move of the Akali and t)i.e larger movement of DOn- · leadership' seems to have frightvioleot non-cooperation in the' coed the authorities in the Punjab country. It was here' that tlieto such a,n extent that they Akalis we,re able to 'demonstrate decided to cancel the scheduled the ,efficacy of the weapon of ,visit of the Prince to Amritsar. passive sufferings by their strict Adoption of non-cooperation adherence to the vow of nonby the Akalis and their addition violence and thus set a new to the ranks of those arrested in example before the forces of connection with :the Khilafat nationalism in the , country. agitation and Non-cooperation Their firm faith shook the authoin Punjab greatly worried the rities whose immoral use of force government. With a view to was exposed by the patient sufferdissuading the Sikhs from join- ings of , the Akalis. It is inc ing the non-cooperators, the teresting to note that a fresh Government adopted a concilia- trial of strength, the Akalis who tory attitude towards the Akalis were noW isolated from the larger movement of non-cooperation, and suddenly announced its final Withdrawal from the manage- again emerged victorious and ment of the Golden Temple and gave another blow to the power and prestige of the government_ , to hand over the keys to the

Akali Ja(ha marching to Guru-ka-Bagh

THE "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY

1st March, J.982

The Sikhs were the only community in India who oot .only responded to Gandhiji's call for .non-violent noncooperation but successfully demonstrated the efficacy of this weapon through passive sufferings and martyrdom at Nankaoa, Guru-Ka-Bagh and Gaugsar Jaito. As stated above, the Punjab Government was looking for some excuse to implement its ~ policy of repression of the Akalis by force. A convenient :issue was found in what was ..otherwise a insignificant inCident of feeling of a dry kikkar tree fly the Akalis on the land attached to the Gurdwara. On :a complaint from Mahant Sunder Das the police started ,anesting the Akalis for cutting dry kikkar trees for use in the Guru-ka-Langar. To defy the 拢overnment Jathas of Akalis started marching to the Guru.b-.Bagh. 'Increasing use of force on "the Akali Jathas in the face of their totally non-violent attitude had a great impact on the .general public in the Punjab and -outside. The S. G. P. C. appealed to men of independent .(Jpinion, journali,ts and national ~aders to come and watch the non-violent struggle that was .going on at Guru-ka-Bagh to .(Jbviate the possibility of misre!presentation at the hands of the ibureaucracy. In response to the Akali appeal ' several national leaders, members of the legislative council and press representatives converged on Guru-ka-Bagh. Eye witness accounts of these independent observers when published in various newspapers in India and England aroused public opinion against the highhanded and brutal policy of the Government. Prominent leaders and workers of the Congress and the Khilafat movements also On 20 reacbed Amritsar. September, 1922 the Akali Diwan at Amritsar was attended !by Swami Shraddhanand and .H akim Ajmal Khan, Maulana :tKilfayat Ullah, Kumari Laja~ ""anti and Sayed Atta lnlah :shah. .All of them who add reswd tbe Jathas assured the Akali lead....hip of the support .of the HindUS and Muslims. In ,this Diwan an American cinema:tographer Capt. A. L. Verges, 路was also present. Later, he .covered the beatings of the Akalis at the Guru-ka-Bagh in a soort film entitled 'Exclusive Picture of India's Martyrdom'. He described the Akali morch.. .at Guru-ka-Bagb as 'A unique 5truggle in human history and a peaceful rebellion against the .constituted authority'. Criticism of the official action by all sections of the Indian public opinion and also by Indian and foreign news. papers again forced the Go~ern颅 :ment to order uncondlltonal

release of the Akalis. On the mediation of Sir Ganga Ram the government suddenly removed the barbed wire around the Guru-ka-Bagb and allowed the Al!,lis to take possessioJ1 of the land . Thus ended, ' 'suddenly and most undramatically the long drawn struggle illy which more than 1500 Akalis were inj ured and over 8000 suffered imprisonment. While the struggle at Guruka-Bagh continued unabated, a high-level conference was called on 3 October, 1922 at the Viceregal Lodge, Simla. It was attended by the Viceroy and the Governor of the Panjab and Members of their respective Councils. The most important item on tbe agenda was the policy of the Panjab Government vis-a-vis the existing Sikh situation. The reports which the Government of India had received . were cOilflicting. Some indicated that the supply of volunteers was almost unlimited; while others stated that it was drying up. According to official figures the total number of, arrested Akalis had gone ' upto 8,000; the jails in the Panjab could accommodate only another 900 persons. The Governor informed the-Viceroy that with the stoppage of beating of the Akalis a good deal of excitement over Guru-Ka-Bagh had subsided. He also informed the Viceroy that efforts to bring abOut a compromise between the Mahant and the Akalis had failed and the Deputy Commissioner had been asked if he could arrange for a Sikh to' sue for a declaratory decree that those in occupation of the Gurdwara were entitled to cut wood on the Mahan!'s land. This last suggestion by the Governor shows that the Government had realised that it was difficult to suppress ' the growing Akali Movement by mass arrests. The ,experLment in dispersal had failed earher and could not be revived. The ' Government found itself in a difficult situation indeed; it was now on the .look out for some face-saving device to extricate itself from the mess. To take the bureaucracy out of the impasse, Rai Bahadur Sir Ganga Ram , a retired Government Engineer, found a way out of the tangle by taking the disputed piece of land on lease from the Mahant and then allowing the Akalis to cut wood. As soon as Sir Ganga Ram informed the Deputy Com-

missioner of hig. action the police were withdrawn from the Guru-ka-Bagh. The barbed wire around its enclosures was removed and the Akalis ' took possession of the land attached to the GUfU-ka-Bagh. Thus suddenly and most undramatically, ended the 路Iong drawn strliggle in which more than 1500 Akalis Were injured and over 8000 suffered imprisonment. Akali victories during the keys affair aDd later their successful demonstration of'the weapon of :passive suffering at Guru-ka-Bagh greatly enchanced the power and prestige of the Akali leadership which had by now replaced the pro-British moderate leadership of the Chief Khalsa Diwan. With the election of Sardar Baba Kharak Singh a . professed no!]-coopeator and a die-hard nationalist a~ President of the newly elected SGPC in July, 1921, and the formation . of a new Executive Committee consisting of extremists and non-cooperators the movement of non-cooperation in the Panjab was further ' strengthened. This new clement in the Akali leadership to whom the cause of religious reform differed little from extreme to natiollalism, was able introduce nationalist politics into the movement for Gurdwara reform and thereby broaden the scope of the Akali Movement. Perusal of the court proceedings against some of the prominent Akali leaders shows that the ideology of noncooperation had taken some roots among them . Most of them did not defend themselves in the courts. During interreigation, they neither admitted nOr denied the official charges against them. Whatever they said in. the courts was not by way of defence but to tell the official machinery that as non-cooperators they had no regard for the British judicial system which they considered arbitrary and biased. The following extract from Baba Kharak Singh's speech in the court serves as an example: As the Govemment is a party to this .prosecution and the Judge is One of its servants, I; therefore, do not wish to make any statement. My position as President of the Sikh Panth is like that of the Presidents of Union States, France and Germany. A strong link and reciprocal relationship had thus been established between the two

movements. The Akali movement became a part of the national movement-in effect a of th. Congress branch programme of non-cooperation at the provincial level and in return received active sympathy and support from the Congress leadership iri its struggle against the Government. Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru ' and other important national leaders personally visited the scenes of the Akali activities and provided moral support to the Akalis: Jawaharlal . Nehru, who was arrested along with Gidwani ; K. . Santhanam and Sardar Darbara Singh Malhan, for entering the prohibited territory of Nabha, drafted a statement from inside the Nabha jail in which he criticised the Nabh~ administration for its unscrupul' ous and crooked ways and greatly appreciated the Akali Sikhs for their fine courage: "I was in jail when the Guru-ka-Bagh struggle was gallantly fought and won by Sikhs_ I marvelled at the courage and sacrifice of the Akalis and wished . that I could be given an -opportunity of showing my deep admiration of them by some form of service. That opportunity has now been giyen to me and I earnestly hope that I shall prove worthy of their high tradition and fine courage. Sat Sri Aka/. To sum up the Akalis, in the course of their five-year struggle (1920-25) clearly demonstrated the efficacy of the doctrine of non-violence. While over thirty five thousand of them were sent behind the bars and over five hundred of them attained martyrdom at Nankana, Guruka-Bagb, Gangsar Jaito and other places not one of them resorted to any act of violence. In spite of the official propaganda . to the contrary they remained peaceful and maintained communal harmony which was the main key to the success of their movement. Through their passive sufferings the Akalis greatly added to ' the strengthening of the forces of Indian nationalism. A contemporary newspaper has thus summarised their achievement . in this regard: "The Akalis have shown to the Indians ' how a ' most arrogant, oppressive, cunning and deceitful bureaucracy can be brought to its knees by mens of nonviolent Satyagraba. By sacrifices at Guru-ka-Bagh, Saito and other places they have destroyed tile prestige of the bureaucracy and raised the dignity of India. --~

THE "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY

Congress(1) -Chief ters In Tight-Corner

lst March, 1982

The experiment of having nominated <:hief rvlinisters in states has not worked well. The present trends if not t:eversed may prove destructive.

Mr. T. Anjiah's unceremonious ousfer as Andhra chid Venkatasubbliah and Shiv Sh-anminister has evoked criticial comments in every political quarter. kar, may m,ke a bid while the Many are prone to surmise that no one is safe in his gaddi, despite old rivalry between the mulki the loud protesta lions of blind 10yaUy to Congress (I) president and region- and the former Andhra her son. Others point out how the party, ruling at the centre and Pradesh is getting intensified. in several states, is riven with factions and how each Congress (I) In Orissa, Chief MinisH:r chief minister is confronted with problem. of dissension and revolt Patnaik does not have a comfrom within. The scenario waS well portrayed in the "Mainstream", fortable Hme, while in Bihar, a Delhi weekly, in its issue of February 20,1982. We reproduce the tussle between Chief Minisit here for our readers' benefit. ter lagannath Misra and the In Maharashtra, Antulay's Union Irrigation Minister Kedar A recent Abu cartoon-one ouster has not pacified _ the Pandey have been fighting with of those which makes him captiits no holds barred, While two other vating-shows a panel of three: Maratha lobby, rather Central Ministers, A. P, Sharma appetite is whetted. Anj iah saying., "In High ComIn Kamataka, Gundu Rao and Bhishma Narain Singh have mand we trust"; Karunakaran has become more vulnerable not given up their stakes. saying, "In Speaker, we trust In Assam-, Anwara Taimur and Antulay, "In trust, we today than ever before. In Andhra, there are more had to face a revolt which trust". In a sense, this sums up the state of affairs that con- than two sides in a near-civil brought the former Janata turnedfronts Indira Gandhi within her war: two Central Ministers, Congress-I Gogoi into forefront <>wn party. Just when you ate beginning to I Although she has been atta'0 learn the mysteries of science cking, in the traditional style . ,. ~~'i of a ruling party chief, the -:'\.,'\; Opposition moves for a united ,:, stand the Prime Minister faces today not so much a massive onslaught from outside as a corrosion of stability insi de her own party. lhe damage done by the antics of an Antulay or the pathetic incapacity of a Karunakaran to muster a decent majority, or by Anjiah's incapacity to curb squabblings within the Andhra Congress-I, can no longer be ignored by her. In fact, there is serious faction-fighting in practically every Pradesh Cmigress-I. Punjab has long been a witness to the ugly in-fighting between the groups 0 Ning allegiance to Chief Minister Darbara Singh and the Unioa Home Minister Gyani Zail Singh. In Haryana is going on a three-cornered tussle in which Savingn~w the key figures are the Chief " Minister Bhajan Lal, the Union I~~r ~ _ Agriculture Minister Rao , Birendra Singh and the former Defence Minister Bansi La\. In Himachal Pradesh, Chief All it requires from your parents is "Minister Ram Lal's energy and foresight and Rs. 1DO/-every month' \ attention are largely spent on thwarting the moves within his for as little as 3 years or upto 10 years, own party by Bir Bhadra Sein. _ They will not feel the pinch but they / I In Rajasthan, Chief Minister would certainly enjoy the-sense of i • r Mathnr has still to contend with security at the end of the scheme ;,I the group round Har Deo loshi, period when you start receiving the ' while the displaced Chief Minister Pahadia's following is still PSB's quarterly scholarship to pay for unreconciled. your fee, books and even pocket money. In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Arjnn Singh's life is Ask your parents to get the details from not made bearable by either the . -_ . the 'nearest PSBbranch./ -' Shukla brothers or his other adversaries within the party. (t Gujarat's Chief Minister . Madhav Singh Solanki has to put up with restless dissidents (A Government of India Undertaking) who are never tired of carrying ,< tales to the Centre against him. Jo "~I U

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to become the new -Chief -Minister. In Ketala, Karunakaran has to face the serious problem of adjustment with the Antony ~~Jngressmen who hav~ recently Jomed the Congress-I-led United Democratic Front. Although nowhere near power, the Congress-I in West Bengal and Tamilnadu are in a state of disarray, One of the reasons why it has so far been able to be nowhere near the possibility of an electoral victory _ in either State. - In the Congress heartland of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Viswanath Pratap Singh has to bear the brunt of inner-party quarrels within his own Cabinet. , It is not that Indira Gandhi is a weakling as a party leader. Rather the opposite is the case. Far from decentralising powers, she has brought about, as a measure of security in her own light, a_ highly centralised set-up in which even minor decisions have to be cleared 'by her personally-an impossible arrangement in actual practice. When, for instance, Anjiah was sent out to Andhra Pradesh to replace Chenna Reddy, his only point of strength was that he was Indira Gandhi's man. ObviolSsly in course of a year that testimonial has ceased to work like a talisman. Anjiah's misfortune was not so much having to face the public snubbing by Rajiv Gandhi, but the failure to control the powerful local -chieftains. In the old days, a Chief Minister's main claim to office used to be' his capacity to muster majority support withi_n his party, but since Indira Gandhi'. return to power early _ in 1980, a Chief Minister parades his subservience to tile Prime Minister as his only point of strength without bothering to build up a majority support within his Pradesh unit. The crassest example of this is provided -by the latest recruit io this order, Babasaheb Bhosai'e, who makes no pretence of having any base in Maharashtra Congress-I, but demonstrates his profuse personal allegiance to the Prime Minister and her son. Indira Gandhi may think it uncharitable on the part of her critics to accuse her of striving for dynastic succession for Rajiv but the manner in which her loyal retainers proclaim their loyalty to her son without getting snubbed by her, adds credibi I ity to the charge itself.

THE "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY

1st March, 1982

to the .goal by Somaiya and . have been laid down for the Moreover, interpretation of rules regarding Raj inder Singh'. India very .rarely made use of obstructions and infringement the substitution rule under in the World Cup . For example, . which a tired player gives way in the India-Australia match to a fresh one to make all the while the Indian goal keeper By : Sardar Mohan Singh, difference. Mr. I. M. Mahajan Negi's push was described AIR Sports Correspondent President Indian Hockey Fellera- dangerous, clearance hit by the tion has said that luck was · not Australian defender which rose Pakistan has predictable won the mark in trapping. They with us. The most appropriate quite high endangering many the World Cup for Hockey for indulged in dribbling and tried comment liowever come from Indian players did not get any the Third time thns proving to pierce the crow<led rival the International Hockey Chief penalty. Similarly in the same their supremacy in this game defence individually and failed. ' Rene Frank. In his words" what match when Kaushik appeared and retaining the gold they had Thus many of the good moves is theuse of speed and skill, if to have been intentionally won at Buenos Aires, Argentina Were wasted at crucial junctures. it does not produce desired brought down in the striking in 1978. In the final they Our . forward players were results". In fact, what matter circle, no notice was taken. defeated West Germany by three brilliant at times but ·doped ,a t in hockey are the goals and not However, in a similar case goals to one. Though West crilcial .moments. Our inside the brilliant stick-work, speed Australia was awarded 'the Germany was the first to score trio of Mervyn, Shahid and or even ball . control. So Car as penalty stroke. What is worse a goal it would have been Sodhi were seen many times to the technique of Indian style is when Rajinder soitnded the trounced but for some poor be slow in making use of· the concerned, it is perfect. The boards with a penalty corner finishings by ' the Pakistan occasional crosses coming froin sub·continental formation ·· of shot the goal was disallowed for forward and the excellent defence the wings or through 'p asses or 5,3,2,1 is still very effective and undercutting. Thus India sufferPakistan has amply proved th at ed from the interpretation of by the German goal keeper. The free h its from the defence. Pakistani Centre forward who it is better than the European rules by different Umpires. emerged as the second top . The half line of Somaiya ' formation of 3,3,3,1,1. . . Interestingly the rules ' to be Oakar and scorer in the tournament with Ravinderpat Though une of the In<lian applied at the knockout stage in as many as ten goals equalised Gurmail were similarly slow and for Pakistan . Then came a could not produce the . required . Selectors · has remarked . that . the World Cup were amended a beautiful ' field goal fr-om contact between the forward and after a long time at least we little before the tournament and Manzoor Jr. Kalimullah's the full backs. In the match have started playing good these new rules Were not given penalty stroke conversion there- agaillst Holland, when we" were hockey, Mr. Mahajan has due pUblicity. Significantly the at the top with 2-0 lead rightly said that loopholes will substitution rule was amended after sealed the loser's fate. Bouwman exploited the left loe plugged after the next mostly to suit the Europeans. Australia who lost to West wing, where Surjeet and Onkar month's Nationals at Calcutta Previously only two substitutions Germany II-8, in the semi- were slow, and scored two goals. by the induction of new blood. were allowed' but it was raised finals, via the tie breaker got the In the India-Australia match to four in view of the so called Interpretation Of Rules bronze. Australia beat Holland after 1-0 lead, India allowed heat in India. It may be 4-2 in the encounter between the H.aselhurst to score the match It must be mentioned that no remembered that Asian teams 'Iosing semi-fillalists. The semi- WIMer he was virtually escorted uniform standards appear to while playing in extreme cold final between Australia and conditions in Europe and West Germany needs special elsewhere .have . never been ivell mention. As the 70 minutes any such concession. match remained 'undecisive even It would not he amiss to after extra time, it had to be mention in the end that decided by the tie-breaker with there have been an allround each side taking ten penalty praise for the arrangements made" strokes. West Germans proved for the coverage of the better in converting these penalty World Cup. Many countries strokes. described these ·as the best in all Pakistan had reached the World Cup tournaments. A final ' defeating Argentina 6-1, large . contingent of corresSpain 4-1, Newzealand 12-3, pondents and broadcasters from West Germany 5-3 and Poland j participaiiDg and other 4-1. They beat Netherlan<is 4-2 countries had gathered at this in the semi-finals. The other prestigious .hockey meet. They finalists, West Germany defeatwere all praise for the facilities ed Poland 5-3 , Newzealand 2-1, provided. by All India ' Radio Argentina 2·0, drew I-I against and the organizers for feeding Spain and lost to Pakistan their countries' radio and the 'earlier 3-5. They won U-8 in press. Besides correspondents ' · ·the semi-final via the tie-breaker and broadcasters, spectators had 1 against Australia . Incidentally, come from all over the world both the finalists in the 'World for the tournament. Indeed, Cup were from Pool A. The Bombay wore a festive look Olympic champions India, howfrom . December 29, 1981 to ever, failed to make the last four .January 12, 1982;. the last day grades and the reason for its ·sawa grand finale with an disappointing result needs some impressive closing ceremony and analysis. It only had one the .prize distribution by the • SG 1072 PROF: DARSHAN SINGH ]I consolation that its right full PreSident Mr. Neelam Sanjiva back Rajinder Singh emerged • SG 1073 BHAI HARBANS SINGH JI Reddy. The next World Cup, the highest scorer of the tourna(jAGADHRI WALE) will be hosterl by England in ment with 12 goals. The . 1986. For . .that six countries, • SG 1074 BHAI SHAMS HER SINGH spectators coming from various . Pak!sta,!, West Germany, AusZAKHMI parts of the country aDd sports traha, HoUand, India and • SG 1075 AKALSANGEET SABHA lovers were sad when India lost USSR have already qualified, On • SG 1076 RAGI SATNAM SINGH to Australia in their last the baSIS of resutls at Bombay .. (PROF: (SETHI) League encounter. Indeed India Let us hope that India would lost to Netherlands and Distributors' meanwhile do its best to redeem A ustralia even after taking the its honour in 1986 in England. 29, MuniCipal Market (opp . York Hoten lead. Some of the reasons for the Indian debacle are that the Connaught. Circus, New Oelh l. Phone: 322544 -Spotlight, AIR Indian forwards were not up to

The fifth world cup hockey tournament

BABBARSONS

THE "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY

AkaU Unity

1st March, 1982

.In --

Punjab Garments Unit for Women

Peril

The Punjab Women and Children D~,:elopment. and Welf~re Corporation has embarked upon an amblllous project of settmg up a readymade garments plant at a cost of Rs. 84 lakhs. The " project will provide employment to nearly 1,200 women over the next five years.

By : Sardar Bharpu. Singh, Chandigarh The Akali Dal (L) top The Sikh history is repeating itself. The disunity is raising its leaders do not appear to lend head in the present day Sikh their support to Sardar A markct survey for readyleadership as it did in tbe past. . Gurcharan Singh Tohra on the made garments both ibr doniesMaster Tara Singh, a most ground that he had had enough- tic use and for export purposes sincere and devoted Panthic of it. It is said, Sardar Pal'kash has revealed great scope for leader was, several times, Singh Badal is keen to go to marketing of finished goods, victim of disunity but he Parliament i';1 place of Sardar according to a press release. recovered his leading position by Gurcharan Smgh Tohra as for The first phase of the project. his sincerity and devotion to the present there is no political may be completed during 1982Panth. berth available for ' Sardar 83 at a -cost of Rs 41 lakhs. Sant Fateh Singh later ' was Badal. Similarly the president The plant which will be set up several times had his leadership of the S.G.P.C. should now be in Punjab, wiU comprise of one ,of the Panth and the mantle of some One else. central unit and three field Master Tara Singh which Tbe Akali leaders are deeply centres in the surrounding disdevolved on him at stake. His involved in personal ambitions tricts in the first ' stage. The determination of self-sacrifice- and their satisfaction even plant will extend livelihood to viz. to burn hi!Dself alive-many though it may be at the cost of needy women based upon the times brought about unity and split and disunity. upgradation of their traditional disunity and at last the Panth One result of this tug of war skill in stitching. rallied behind him on the ques- is that the points raised by Sant Set up with an authorised , lion of creation of Punjabi Su~a Harchand Singh Longowal with capital of Rs. 5 9rores, the cor"nd the Sikhs got a truncated the Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Punjab while Haryana gained Gandhi have receded to the poration has come in a big way to ameliorate the socia-economic much larger share than was due background. . to them. The Akali Dal (L) does not conditions of the women and The Sikhs again are fightil1g seem to be too anxious .or too improve the lot of children. The corporation proposes to an internal war-one section is ready to resume discussions of disburse loans totalling Rs. 3 led by Sant Harchand Singh the Sikh demands pla~ed by him Longowal, the other by Jathedar before her and in the meantime crOfes to women entrepreneurs Jagdev Singh Talwandi and now anti-Sikh forces have started during 1982-83 for taking up occupations Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale asserting themselves between the various gainful against the target of disburseand Jathedar Gurdial Singh Akali leaders and the Prime Ajnoha have entered the Mi'nister to the extent of oppos- ,ment of Rs. 80 lakh loans during political field though they are ing the demands of the Akali the current financial year. repeatedly saying that they have deputation even those which are It has sponsored cases of 502 nO political ambitions nor have purely of religious nature and women to the Indian Bank for they ever wanted to involve do not concern Hindus in any grant of loans worth Rs. 70 lakhs. The bank has sanctioned themselves in politics. manner. Sardar Gurcharan Singh The Hindus have all joined ,Rs. 19.93 lakhs to 207 women Tohra, holding presidentship of up Aryas, _ Sanatanis-whether, entrepreneurs by December 1981 S.G.P.C. for the la,t 10 years political or non-political to and the remaining cases are and also as a Member of Parlia- defeat the Sikh aspirations-not being processed. The .corporament has become a person round only political aspirations but tion has sanctioned direct loans which serious dispute has risen also religious ascendency in worth Rs II lakhs. in Akali leadership and the Punjab. There are signs of , All women above the age of differences are deep seated and frustration in Sikh circles due 18 are eligible for financial Panthic stakes are being ignored to the internecine differences assistance from the corporation. for personal stakes-viz. Sardar ' among the top Akali leaders. Economic criteria based on Tohra must be re-elected as Sant Harchand Singh family income has been adopted chief of the S.G.P.C. and also Longowal is now the supreme for fixing priority in sanctioning must be again, a Member of leader of the Akali Dal (L) and loans. Parliament. of Sikhs as a whole. In a novel State-wide socioeconomic survey conducted by the State Government during 1980, nearly 8.24 lakh families were identified living below the ' poverty line with their annual income below Rs. 3,600. Of these,. , 1.27 lakh households lire headed by women, who are either ~.daws, divorcees or legally separated women. The Chief Minister, Darbara Singh, has asked the corporation to give priority in sanctioning loans to the depressed women so that they get new life and status in society by improving their financial position. Loans are being sanctioned to women entrepreneurs under three schemes, namely direct loan to individual women entrepreneurs, loans to women organisations and loans to organisations dealing with the welfare of women and children in the State, at low rates of interest and on easy terms of repayment. In addition, there is a 'margin money scheme' under which

entrepreneurs are helped to raise institutional finance. The corporation has made a small beginning in sales of its stitched products through its stitching centre in Chandigarh. , The products include readymade garments, items of household linen, embroidery goods and phulkari items. ' It is also intended to grant loans for opening a network of standard creches to be run . on commercial basis by qualified and unemployed women, who have aptitude for looking after children. It is planned to open 1982.83. 70 creches during These will enrol over 2,000 children.

Kendri Sri Guru Singb Sabba Bbopal (Madbya Pradesb)

Commendable Effort to Promote Sikhism Religion knows no frontiers, geographical or political. It does not recognise any barriers, colour or caste. It never discriminates between high and low. Inspired by such noble thoughts, Madhya Paadesh .' Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Gurdwara T.T. Nagar, Bhopal has made a commendable effort to start publication of, a trilingual . monthly-Gurmaf Samachar-as a part of their programme to promote Sikh faith in that region. The objective has heen well spelt. Religion, as taught by the Sikh Gurus, is not only international but it binds humanity together for a high purpose. For a Sikh, God is one and the human race is one. Colour, caste, sex and artificial barriers of countries have no meaning. It is, therefore, a religion which represents humanity and is badly needed in this strife-torn world, heading towards annihilation due to internecine wars resulting from hatred, greed, pride and undue worldly attachment. To cover a wide range of readers, the monthly 'contains articles in Punjabi, Hindi, and English. The Sabha has held eight annual functions and Sardar Ishar Singh who is a member of the three-man Editorial Board is striving hard to further the cause. Toorganis. camps for the purpose of free eye treatment is also a feature of their activities. To give it a broader perspective the journal is claimed as a represen, tative organ of Madhya Pradesh , Kendri Sri Guru Singh 'Sabha, Sikh Forum and . Sikh Students Federation. Last issue of 1981 contains valuable information about Sikh Gurus, history and important personalities. It is an effort which other organisations should emulate.

THE "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY

Letters To .I,1;:he Editor

lst March, 1982

U.K. TV Broadcasts Sikh Service

body on behalf of the' Delhi Gurdwa<a Prabandhak Coinmittee, and 'other Sikh religious organisations_ The home minister Gyani Zail Singh, visited her South Delhi residence and placed a wreath on the body. Sardarni Harnam Kaur's husband had sacrificed his life in 1918 while tryinl' to stop a train carrying Sikh prisoners at Punja Sahib station, now in Pakistan , to serve them "Guru-ka Langar" (community lunch) despite the government's refusal to allow him to do so.

The first broadcast by Bri. tain's independent television network of a cotoplete Sikh religi. ous service took place last weekfrom the Sikh gurdwara in the Sir, In the article', "Steps for the Harijans to go for large industrial city of Newcastle against Conversion" (The Islam! Upon Tyne, says a BIS release. The fear expressed that these Tribune, II February, 82), Mr. . The gurdwara serves a Sikh Kuldip . Nayar has raised the conversions "may _provide the of spark for Hindu-Muslim riots", community of some · 10,000 question of conversion Harijans to Islam in the various is baselesss unless , and as it people. The "format" for the parts of the country, which has normally happens, our leaders broadcast was planned in consulalready made many a Hindu decide to create such a situation . tation with Sikh community leader lose his sleep. Some time Even otherwise, haven't such leaders so that it would be non-Sikh back there was a similar hue riots taken place in the country understandable to and cry against the Christian between these two communities? members of the many religious Manjit Singh Dua Missionaries working in India. A commoner is least affected by beliefs now found in Britain. - .- to lead India In any such conversions . Now is the turn of Islam. case Harijans are an absolutely Widow of Shahid Manji! Singh Dua will lead Religion is a personal matter. independent ~hey .identity; India in the Table Tennis Tests Partap Singh As such an individual has the should 'not be tagged to against the visiting Japanese right to choose any he /she Hinduism . Passes Away team to be hel d from Feb, 24 to decides to embrace. Bharat Another point. When conSardami Harnam Kaur, March 4 according to Mr. M. C. claims (in theory at least) to be versions to Hinduism take place, widow of Shahid Partap Cbozban, Secretary Table Tennis a secular state; this is more the which has happened in this Singh, died in Delhi On February .'J reason for the Government of country after 1947, the press 22, 1982 follOwing brain hae- Federation of India. The Test matches will be held ' India not . to worry about the has failed to take notice of it . morrhage. She was 78. at Ratlam, Ajmer, . Meerut, subject i.e. when an individual And there has been no flare up She was cremated at the and Madras while exhibiDelhi or even a group decide to ' nor any fear of communal Lodhi ·Garden crematorium. tion matches will be played at embrace another religion . of .Wreaths were pl aced on the Bombay and Lucknow. rioting. This speaks Aurangzeb and other Muslim communal outlook of the press _ rulers of the ' past have been in India . Our New Subscription Rates from 1.1.1982 . As regards the Muslim blamed for forcible conversion . INDIA of Hindus to Islam. But to-day . bodies, numerated in the article, Yearly Snbscription: Rs. 40/-. it cannot be said, when the working for the spread of Islam, . Life Meinbersbip : Rs. 750/ democratic set-up in the country there are no less Hindu · (For 20 Years) bas given the reins of the Govern- organizations, such as RSS, FOREIGN COUNTRIES ment in the hands of the majority Vishwa Hindu Parishad , Arya Counfry community. However, in the Samaj, Virat Hindu Samaj and By Sea Mail By Air Mall absen~e of "force", the Governmany others working for a U.S.A. U.S. Dollars 22 U.S. Dollars 4S ment and the various other set- similar purpose, . Canada Canadian Dollars 25 Canadian DolIl!d 50. ups in tbe country bave put But the G!lndhians shoul.d be U.K. & all otber forward the usual bogey of happy over these conversions. Countries in Europe £ 12 £ 20 foreign hand and money, behind In September 1936, when Dr. East African CODotries Shillings 150 Shillings 300 these conversions, Again, the Ambedkar with his five crore Malaysia & Singapore Dollars 35 Dollars 65 Muslim rulers have been followers wanted to embrace ~OTE : Readers whose subscriptions are due are requested criticised for imposing jazia on Sikhism, it was Mr. Gandhi who to remIt the amouIit immediately on receipt of our letter. Ihe Hindu subjects, but to-day opposed it, and even threatened this practice has been carried out to go on a fast-un to-death! Mr. Statement about ownership & particulars of in a different form, i.e. by Gandhi had then said: "It The "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY, New Delhi. reservation of seats and offering would be far better that crores other privileges to Hindu of untouchables of India should As required to be published under Rule 8 of the Registration of Newspaper (CentraJ) Rules 1956. Harijans , with a minor-change be converted to Islam , than they later in favour of the Sikhs and should become Sikhs ." FORM IV ' Buddhists. One must understand -Lt. Col. Gulcharan Singh (See Rule 8) that, contrary to Hinduism, (Retd.) 1. Place of Publicqtion New Delhi. there must be some attraction lullundur City 2. Periodiciry of Publi~a lion " Weekly . 3. Printre's Name Charanj it Singh Nationality Indian Addres~ 6, Nortbend Complex, Sir , It looks as if the Govt. vis the present position of the R .K. Ashram Marg, of India have chartered a course Panth in India in Indo-CanadiNew Delhi-II 0001. of action through its agents, with an Times (of Vancouver dated Charanjit Singh the active support of Sikh Jan. 22, 1982). He has advo- 4. Publisher's Name Nat'ionality Indian Baiters, of repression against cated that a real Panthic conAddress 6, Northend COinplex, the Sikh nationalists. I agree vention be called at Akal Takht R .K. Ashram Marg, with the analysis of Bhai Hari by its lathedar and future New Delhi'llOOOI. Singh Shergill of Bombay, ex- course of action for the Panth ' Ghanisham Singh pounded in your weekly, that 'in India should be chartered 5. Editor'S Name Nationality Indian present Akali leadership is no out and Panthic Hukamnama Address 6, Northend Complex, match against the nuchiavellian , should be proclaimed from this R ,K. Ashram Marg, onslaught of Mrs. Indira Gandhi seat of authority. New Delhi-Il0001. and her lackeys and show boys. .Panth should be' united in (I) Ghanisham Singh Strangely, a part of Akali tb<1ught and action to defeat the 6. Names and addresses 0 indiViduals who OWn the (2) Charanjit Singh leadership is still expecting designs of the present anti-Si.k h newspaper and partners or 6, Northend Complex, JUBtice from Mrs. Gandhi even regime. As so aptly stated by shareholders holding more R.K. Ashram Marg) after her announcement of an lathedar of Akal Takht, with than one per cent of the New Delhi-llOool. accord by three states on Punjab the blessings of Guru Gobind to tal capilal, river waters. Singh and the active support of I, Charanjit Singh, hereby declare that the ·particulars given Sardar Jaswant Singh Sikh martyrs, the Panth will Kanwal of Dhudhike, in an com e out victo'rious from the above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. . Sd/- Charanjit Singh, open letter to Akali Sikh bre- present precarious situation. . Publisher. thren, has exposed the hollow-Jagtar Singh Sidhu 27.2.1982 ness of the Akali strategy vis-a- California(U. S . A.)

Conversion o( Harijans to Islam

Repression against Sikh Nationalist

,THE "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY

Cultural and Social Activities in Capital By : Sardar Piara Singh, M.A. Under the auspices of Languages Department,. ~atiala, Punjabi Drama CompetitIOn was organised at Mavalankar Hall on February 18, 1982 through the efforts of Shri O.P. Anand, Asst. Director , Languages, Punjab and Convener Literary Centre, Punjab Bhawan. New Delhi. Malwa Rangmanch Delhi staged "Bagane Bohar Di Chhawen" and another "Baba Bantoe" by ·Dr. CD Sidhu of Hansraj College was staged. The function was inaugurated by Justice Mohinder Singh Joshi, a prominent short story .writer. The Judges, Prof. Kamlesh Uppal and Gyani Kuldip Singh adjudged the former drama as first and an award of rupees one thousand was given to Malwa Rangmanch. This step to 'lopularise serious and literary ·_Jramas in the capital has been very much appreciated by lovers of Punjabi language and literature as certain dramatic as socia· tions has lowered the standard of Punjabi dramas in the capital and degraded Punjabi .language and culture.

appreciate the zeal and honesty with which the problems are discussed.

Talk By Dr. Gops.1 Singh

Young Sikh Cultural Association, Rajinder . Nagar , is renderiog great service for the prop~gation of Gurbani and Punjabi literature. It manages Guru Nanak Library and the attached reading room. Weekly Gurmat classes are also beld. In one of the meeting Dr. Gopal Singh gave the background of religious sentiments wbich prompted him to undertake the stupendous task of translating Adi Granth into English. The talk gave instructive details about Sikb thoughts, historical facts and social dealings of the community. He stressed the universality of Gurbani and told the gatbering that it was Sardar Partap Singh Kairon who had extended help for the publication of the translated version of Adi Granth . It has enabled men of international repute like Jawabarlal Nebru, Dr. S. Radbakri,hnan, Pearl Buck and o,thers to comprehend Sikh Punjabi Programme thoughts through the pages of During th is week listener> the four volume translation. were delighted to hear 15 minute He appealed to tbe Sikb youtb Shabad Kirtan by Bhai Karam to read and preach Gurbani Singh Parwana·from Delhi Door dispassionately. Sardar Sulakhan Darshan. Release Of Books Singh, President DGPC. deliver/ ed a talk on national integration The Union Minister of State and did well to include ' the role fOr Supply _and Rehabilitation of Sikh scriptures, Sikh Gurus Sardar Buta Singh was tbe Chie and the services of Sikh generals Guest at a meeting convened .by and soldiers which . go a long leading literary and cultural way for the integration of the societies of ' Delhi at tbe Conland. In another talk on family ference Hall, Sapru House. in welfare Shri Balram Jakhar, connection witb the release of Speaker, Lok Sabha spoke in two books of' Dr. Mohinder chaste Punjabi. Kaur Gill entitled ' Hun Tun Saligram Nahin' (a collection Sikh Intelligentsia Meet of poems) and 'Vibarak All India Sikh Council ' head- Punjabi' (functional Punjabi). ed by \ Sardar Sucha Singh "I am o~erwhelmed with joy Anand and Sardar Man Singh to participate in the function " ' j General Secretary, organised of literary giants and feel . '.; ~ a two day meet of the Sikh innermost satisfaction to reintelligentsia was held at lease these scholarly works", National Sports Club of India, said Sardar Buta Singb wbile New Delhi. Bhagat Puran Singh .releasing the books. of Pingalwara Amritsar was The function was presided honoured for his meritorious the suffering over by Justice M.S. · Joshi services to humanity and untiring efforts to (Retired), several speakers who raise funds for the purpose and addressed the gatbering and his life-long devotion to the evaluated tbe works of Dr. cause. The meet also discussed Gill. - the need and ways and means Social And Personal for an English Daily to be Tba Anand Karaj of Sardar published as an organ to express Sikh feelings and view point. Kawai Jeet Singh, son of Sardar The learned speakers also ·Gutdial Singb Hora. Editor touched the burning problems Sunder Samachar aod Secretary Sri, Guru Singb Sabba. Karol . concerning the Sikb ~ommunity Bagh; was solemnised with Bibi While inaugurating the Gur Preet Kaur. To meet and meeting Dr. Inderjit Singh, bless the newly weds Hora former Chairman, Punjab and f,i"mily hosted a reception which Sind Bank said that he was attended by various shades supported the cause and of people.

COURT NOTICES In tbe Court of Shri Jagdish Chandra, District Judge, Delhi. Guardiansbip Act Case No . 16/82 Satbya Kumar slo Sh. S,K. Ramanathan, rio 6, Gill Nagar, Madras-94. versus .. .Petitioner 1. State, 2. S.O.S. Cbildrens' 506-507 Villages of . India, Vishal Bhawan, 95, Nebru Place , New Delhi . The petitioner above-named having applied to be adoptionl appOinted tjle guardian of tbe person arid property of minor Miss Sb,ailja , born on 15-6-1980. The 27tb day of February, 1982 has been fixed for hearing of the application, and notice is hereby given to general public that if any other relative, friend, kinsman or well-wisher of tbe aforesaid minor desire to be apor declared as pointed person of guardian of the tbe said minor or desire to oppose tbe application of tbe · petitioner aforesaid, he should enter appearance in person in the Court. On the aforesaid date and be prepared to adduce evidence in support of his claim to such appointment of declaration ot in support of this opposition to the application of tbe petitioner aforesaid. Given under my band and the seal of the court. This 23rd I day of February, 1982. Sd f- District Judge, (Seal) Delbi. In the Court of Sh. Jagdisb Chandra, District Judge, Delbi. Guardianship Act Case No. 55182 Darshan Lal Sad ana slo Sb . Jai Kishan Sadanli, rio H. No. 9136. Multani Dhanda,. Paharganj, New Delhi. versus ... Petitioner Foster Care Home Services. Gulabi Bagh Market, Gulabi Bagh. Delhi. . The . petitioner above-named having. applied for adoptionl appointed the guardian of the person of minor Master Ashisb Sadana, born on 9-93rd day of 1978. Tbe March, 1982 · has been fixed for hearing ·of the application, and notice is her,eby given to general' public that if any other relative, friend, kinsman or well-wisher of the aforesaid minor desire to be appointed or declared as guardian of the said minor or person of the desire to oppose the application of the petitioner aforeshould · enter said, he appearance in person in the Court on the aforesaid date and· be prepared to adduce evidence in support of his claim to such appointment . of declaration or in support of his opposition to the application of the petitioner aforesaid. Given under my hand and the seal of the court. This 23rd day of February, 1982. . ' (Sea!) Sd /- District Judge, Delhi.

1st March, 1982 In tbe Cou rt of Shri Jagdisb Chandra, District Ndge, Delhi. Guardiansbip Act Case No. 78 /82 1. Kishan Ram Chand Bharwani slo Mr, Ram Chand 2, Mrs. Vimla Kishan Chand wlo Kishan Ram Chand both rio 2, Dhadoya Close Flat No.3. 1st Floor Ikoyi Lagos (NIGERIA). versus .. .Petitioners I. State 2. Mrs. Deep ',Duggal, Social Worker rio E-2, Defence Colony, New Delhi. The petitioners above-named having applied to be adoption I appointed · the guardian of the person of mi'nor Baby Archana born on 28 .1.1982 The I st day of March. 1982 has been fixed for hearing of the application, and notice is bereby given to general public that. if any other relative, frjend. kinsman or well-wisher of tbe afores&id minor desire -to be appointed or declared as guardian of the person the said minor or desire to oppose the application of the petitioner aforesaid . he sbould enter appearance in person in the court. On the aforesaid date and . be · prepared to adduce evidence in support of his ..cclaim to such appointment of declaration or in support pf his 0 ppo.ition to tbe application of the petitioner aforesaid. . Given under my band and the seal of tbe court. Tais 18th day of February. 19~2. , Sd /- District Judge, (Sea!) Delhi. In tbe Colirt of Sh . Jagdisb Chandra, District Judge, Delhi. . Guardianship Act Case No 56 /82 Sb . Harkishan Singh Bhalla slo Sohan Singh, rio ED-57, Tagore Garden. New Delhi-27 . . versus ... Petitioner I. Tbe State. 2. S.O.S. Childrens' Villages of India, 506507, Vishal Bhawan, 95, Nehru Place, New Delbi. The petit ioner above-named having applied to be adoption! appointed the guardian of tbe person and property of minor Harmit Singh, born on 24-2-81. The 6th day . of March, 1982 has been fixed for hearing of tbe application, and notice is hereby given to general public that if any other relative ; friend , kinsman or well-wisher of the aforesaid minor desire to be ·appointed or declared as guardian of tbe person of the sai d minor or· desire to oppose the application of tbe petitioner aforesaid, be sbould enter appearance in the court. 0 n the aforesaid date and be prepared to adduce evidence in support of his claim to such appointment of declaration or in support of his opposition to the application of the petitioner aforesaid. Given under my hand and the seal of the court. This 23rd day of February, 1982. . Sd /- District Judge, (SeaI) Delhi.

Rcgd. No. D-(C)-85 .

THE "SPOKESMAN" WEEKLY

Judicial Enquiry into Jathedar SantokhSingh's Murder A Delhi High Court Iudge will enquire into the路 assassination of the President of the Delhi Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Iathedar Santokh Singh, who was allegedly gunned down by Sardar Sohan Singh Sandhu on December 21 last year. ' Mr Justice Yogeshwar Dayal will comprise the one路man Enquiry Commission, according to a notification issued by the

1st March, 1982

Lieut路Governor of Delhi, Mr Sunder Lal Khurana . The commission will also enquire into the circumstance,s in which Sardar Sandhu . was killed . Describing 'the incident as "unfortunate", the notification specifies that the commi ssion will also try to ascertain who others were involved in the crime. The commission is expected to, complete the enquiry ' and submit its report within three months. It will recommend measures which moy be adopted to prevent the recurrence of sucb incidents .

Printed at Everest Press, 4, Chamelian Road, Dethi,lI0006 & published by Charanjit Singh from 6-Northend Complex, R.K. Ashram Marg, New Delhi-/. Editor Ghanisham Singh. Phone : 344676. Residence: 621717.