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)
~~~
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
¤
[ *KIRPAL SINGH ]