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1947: GIANI KARTAR SINGH AND PARTITION OF PUNJAB
Giani Kartar Singh, according to Lord Mountbatten, was "accepted leader" of the Sikhs along with Master Tara Singh. Sir Evan Jenkins, the last Governor of colonial Punjab described him as "influential Sikh Leader". In 1947, he was President of Shiromani Akali Dal, the recognized representative body of the Sikhs. During transfer of power he made all efforts to improve the position of the Sikhs. In the course of his last interview with Sir Evan Jenkins he bitterly cried to express the shock that the British could do nothing for the Sikhs. Tehsils of Ferozepur and Zira of erstwhile District Ferozepur are part of India owing solely to his efforts — these had been awarded
to Pakistan in the provisional Punjab Boundary Award. He effectively initiated the mass migration of the Sikhs to the Eastern Punjab by personally leading the biggest caravan of Lyallpur Sikhs to India and brought concentration of Sikhs (or Sikh majority area) in the Indian Punjab. In free India, he was able to identify the Punjabi speaking areas by implementing Giani Sachar Formula on the basis of which Punjabi speaking state was formed. As a matter of fact, he is one of the makers of modern Punjab. But for him, the history of Punjab and especially the history of the Sikhs, would have been different. It is, therefore, very important to study his significant role during the period of transfer of power.
Not Partition of Punjab Alone
Giani Kartar Singh was a signatory to all memoranda which were submitted to demand partition of Punjab. He signed MLAs' representation to Lord Mountbatten in which splitting of Punjab had been demanded. But he emphasized transfer of Sikh population along with partition of Punjab. His aim was clear, that the Sikhs should be concentrated in the districts surrounding princely states of Punjab where a Sikh state might be established. The pamphlet entitled Hindu-Sikh Province which was published in his name was not his creation. It was written by late Dr M S Randhawa, ICS, who himself disclosed this to me,1 and Giani Kartar Singh's name was used. It was published and distributed by Dr Randhawa. What Giani Kartar Singh wanted was the Shiromani Akali Dal's
resolution which was passed on 16th April 1947, when he was the president of Shiromani Akali Dal : "Shiromani Akali Dal notes with satisfaction that the nationalist Hindus and Sikhs of the Punjab have fully agreed to the partition of the Punjab. Recent barbarities of the Pakistani Muslims on the Hindus and Sikhs of the Punjab have left no other solution of the communal tangle except the partition of the Punjab. "Shiromani Akali Dal demands that before the transfer of powers to the Indian hands in June 1948, the Punjab should be divided into two provinces, and for the redistribution of the provincial boundaries, a boundary commission should be set up. The terms of reference whereof should be to demarcate the provincial boundaries keeping in view :
a) population
b) landed property
c) land revenue, and
d) historical places and traditions of the various communities.
"The Shiromani Akali Dal further demands that facilities be provided for exchange of population
and property and that special arrangements be made for the protection of honour, integrity, and
sanctity of the historical and religious places.
"The Shiromani Akali Dal also appeals to all the Panthic organisations and workers to unite and
solidly stand behind this demand."2
Giani Kartar Singh was not averse to coming to some settlement with the Muslim League on the issue of Pakistan. He was present when there was a meeting of Akali leaders with Jinnah and Maharaja Patiala on April 5, 1946, the details of which I have given in a footnote on page 87 of my book, Select Documents on Partition of Punjab. Giani Kartar Singh also attended Muslim MLAs' conference to probe the attitude of Muslim League leadership towards the Sikhs, but he was informed nothing beyond that 'in Pakistan the Sikhs would be treated well'.3 According to Moon, this lukewarm attitude of Jinnah towards Sikhs was due to his lack of knowledge about Sikhs. He had aptly stated that Jinnah knew as much about Punjab as Neville Chamberlain did of Czechoslovakia.4 When Lord Mountbatten came to India in March 1947, he, like his predecessor, Lord Wavell,
came to the conclusion that India had to be divided. This conclusion was drawn after long series of talks with the Indian leaders of different shades of opinion. Giani Kartar Singh and Master Tara Singh also met the Viceroy and impressed upon the necessity to divide Punjab on landed property and payment of land revenue basis so that minimum number of Sikhs should remain in Pakistan. Lord Mountbatten ultimately accepted the demand of partition of Punjab in his famous 3rd June plan — which is known as Partition Plan.
Giani ji's Note to Viceroy
After the announcement of the 3rd June plan, Giani Kartar Singh realised that the British had rejected the demand of a Sikh state. On the other hand, by the notional division of Punjab as incorporated in the 3rd June plan, the Sikhs had been equally divided into India and Pakistan. It dealt a severe blow to the integrity of the Sikhs as a community. This was a big challenge. Its solution was found in suggesting that the partition of Punjab should not be made on the basis of population alone and other factors like Sikh shrines, landed property, etc., should be taken into account.
Secondly, Giani ji was very keen that Sikhs should not be divided – they should be brought to India. For this, he suggested exchange of Sikh population. Had this been agreed to, there would have been much less bloodshed and violence in both parts of the Punjab. After 3rd June plan, other problem was that if all the Sikhs migrated to India what would be their status. Giani Kartar Singh foresaw this problem and he wanted the Viceroy to enforce
reservation or other safeguards for the Sikhs. All these demands were made in a note submitted to the Viceroy during his meeting with Giani Kartar Singh on 20th June. Its text was as follows :
A NOTE BY GIANI KARTAR SINGH GIVEN TO H.E. AT INTERVIEW ON 20-6-1947
The main problem confronting the Sikh community, at the moment, is the line of demarcation, separating the Eastern Punjab from the Western Punjab. Our anxiety, in the matter is well known. Our cultural, linguistic and spiritual affinities as also our economic well-being, and the solidarity and integrity of our populace have been placed in jeopardy by the notional division of the Punjab. Every Sikh, in whatever situation he is placed, feels most acutely about it. Faith is put in the words used in Your Excellency's broadcast speech and it is hoped that the permanent division will be fair and just to the Sikhs; as it is expected that the boundary line will be demarcated in such a manner that it brings a substantial majority of the Sikh population in the Eastern Punjab. The Sikhs will not be satisfied unless at least 89% of their population is brought into the Eastern Punjab by demarcating the boundary line properly. Nanakana Sahib, the birth place of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith, and the adjoining Hindu-Sikh majority belt spreading in Lyallpur, Sheikhupura and Gujaranwala districts and a just share of the colony areas ought to be included in the Eastern Punjab, wherein the Sikh population can be shifted. After
the wholesale massacre of the Sikhs in the Rawalpindi Division the Sikhs are in no mood to cast their lot with Pakistan. While demarcating the boundary of the Eastern and Western Punjab provinces, greatest good of both the provinces should be kept in view.( TO BE CONTD)
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REFERENCES
1. See footnote No. 68 of my work, Partition of Punjab, 2nd edition, 1989, p.25
2. Select Documents on Partition of Punjab, Kirpal Singh, Delhi, 1991, p. 43
3. Partition of Punjab, op. cit., p. 45
4. Ibid., p. 45
5. Select Documents on Partition of Punjab, pp. 137-38
6. Ibid., pp. 292-99
7. Partition of Punjab, 2nd Edition, 1989, pp. 99-100
8. Ibid., p. 100
9. Ibid., p. 37-88
10. Master Tara Singh informed me about this.
11. Partition of Punjab, p. 207
12. Select Documents on Partition of Punjab, pp. 164-167
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[ *KIRPAL SINGH ]