Post-Independence Punjab: A Review of Key Developments

Post-Independence Punjab: A Review of Key Developments

1. Struggle for Freedom: Babbar Akalis, HSRA, Bhagat Singh, and Quit India Movement

Babbar Akali Movement (1921-1925)
  • Emerged as a radical outgrowth of the Akali movement for reforming Sikh places of worship.
  • Protested against the Mahants turning shrines into personal property with British government's support.
  • Advocated violence against the imperialist policies after rejecting Gandhi's non-violent methods.
  • Made first appearance in March 1921 during the Sikh Educational Conference and later organized meetings.
  • Most Babbar Akalis were immigrants returning from Canada, some associated with the Gadhar Movement.
  • Kishan Singh formed Chakravarti Jatha in 1921 to incite peasantry and soldiers against foreign rulers.
  • Merged into Babbar Akali Jatha in 1922, elected Sardar Kishan Singh as Jathedar, and decided to publish Babbar Akali Doaba Akhbar.
  • Aimed to eliminate officials and non-officials seen as enemies of the Khalsa Panth and free Sikh shrines from
    characterless individuals.
  • Extended support to the Akali Movement.
Estimate of the Movement
  • Dr. Fauja Singh described the Gurudwara Reform Movement as carried out in true spirit of non-violence.
  • The movement brought together Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, awakened the peasantry, and shifted Sikh
    leadership to educated middle-class nationalists.
  • It created political consciousness and contributed to the future political development of Punjab, giving
    birth to mainstream national movement leaders.
Action Over Gurudwaras
  • Morcha: British Government had to yield, and accept demands to have control over their Gurudwaras.
  • Sikh Gurudwaras Act, 1925: The British government enacted the Sikh Gurudwaras Act under elected representatives.
  • Panja Sahib: Gurudwara Panja Sahib was taken in November 1920 led by Jathedar Kartar Singh Jhabbar to oust the Mahant occupied by the faqir.
  • Keys of Harimandar Sahib Tosha Khana: In 1921 deputy commissioner of Amritsar passed the keys to Baba Kharak which Gandhi congratulated.
    The British were forcibly shipped and were subjected to the same kind heartless treatment meted out to the political prisoners earlier

2. The Indian National Movement

1. HSRA ( Hindustan Socialist Republican Association)

  • Most prevalent and effective mass movement in the series of movements led by Gandhi.

  • On 9 August 1942, Gandhi, members of the Congress Working Committee, were arrested by the British Government.

    • Working Committee and committees were declared unlawful under Defence of India Rules.

  • After the War turned in favor of British, this led to the British Secretary who condemned the actions as revolutionary.

    • A moral protest against excessive government actions was also declared by the Government.

  • Ultimately, millions were motivated towards the non-negotiable goal of independence.

  • Objectives

    • Universal suffrage
    • Legislative supremacy
    • Religious freedom
    • Key public industries
    • Eliminate exploitation
2. Beginning of the HSRA movement
  • The Simon Commission visited India to make recommendations about the future constitutional reforms.
    • But the people were brutally assaulted by police led by Superintendent of Police of Lahore and Lala Rai was killed as a result of wounds.
  • HSRA under the leadership of Lajpat Rai staged a protest procession
3. Continued Action of the HSRA
  • Bhagat Singh and Rajguru avenged the death of Lai by killing British officer Saunders.
  • Set up bomb factories at Agra, Lahore, & Saharanpur
  • In order to crush the rising communist, Gov. arrested workers, peasants, and youth leaders & passed Trade Disputes Bill and Public Safety Bill to crush communist activities.

3. Babbars

Movement
  • Akali leaders did not approve violence
  • Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee issued communiques appealing to the Sikhs to disassociate activities, even passing resolutions. However, Babbars contribution could not be ignored.
  • Government had bureaucratic machinery and supporters in the Punjab thus threatening the government to eliminate responsible authorities in the province.
Babbar Akali Movement Failure
  • Unequal match of strength between the British and the Babbars due to money & ammunition shortages
  • Babbar's organization was no more secret than the Gadarites, and British infiltrated inner circles
  • Organization of Babbars were weak & lacked concrete plans
  • Jholichuks gave cooperation to the Government against the Babbars, giving the police a big set back
  • The government's plan to offer Jagirs & prizes for information leading to the arrest of Babbars enabled them to continue their preaching.