Sikh Resolutions against the Rajagopalachari Formula

[p. 210] The All Parties Sikh Conference

Working Committee—Amritsar—1st August 1944

Formula Detrimental to Sikhs

The Sikhs' determined opposition to the "C. R." formula was declared by the Working Committee of the All-Parties Sikh Conference which discussed at Amritsar on the 1st. August 1944 the situation arising out of the "C. R" formula for communal settlement. The meeting over which Sardar Baldev Singh, Development Minister and President of the All Parties Sikh Conference presided, was held behind closed doors at the Queen's Road and was attended by most of the Sikh leaders, including many M. L. A. s.

After the meeting the following resolution passed by the Working Committee was issued to the press by Sardar Harnam Singh, Advocate :—

"This meeting of the Working Committee of the All Parties Sikh Conference resolves that the basis of communal settlement outlined in the Rajagopalachari formula which had been approved by Mahatma Gandhi is manifestly unfair and detrimental to the best interests of the country and the Sikh community. The Working Committee regards the proposed scheme as breach of faith on the part of the leaders of the Congress which had assured the Sikhs at its Lahore Session in 1929 that no communal settlement will be acceptable to the Congress which does not satisfy inter alia the Sikh community."

"The Working Committee further declares that any communal settlement reached without the express consent of the Sikh community shall not be allowed to work in this country and under the circumstances calls upon the Sikh community [p. 211] to initiate and carry on a country-wide and effective agitation for the rejec[tion] of the formula."

The Working Committee adopted another resolution by which it was decided to approach Master Tara Singh who retired from active politics to come back and lead the Sikh community in its struggle.

By another resolution the Working Committee expressed concern at the proposed share to be given to the Sikhs from out of the share fixed for smaller minorities in the services under the Central Government as reported in the “Tribune” and demanded that at least five per cent share in the services under the Central Government be reserved for the Sikhs.

Some prominent Sikh leaders, including Sardar Baldev Singh, Development Minister, S. B. Sardar Wasakha Singh, S. Surjit Singh, S. Santokh Singh, M. L. A., S. Mangal Singh, M. L. A. (Central), S. Pritam Singh Sidhu, M. L. A., S. Tara Singh, M.L.A., S. Uttam Singh Duggal, M.L.A., Gyani Kartar Singh, M.L.A., Sardar Kapur Singh, M. L. A., S. Sher Singh, M. L. A. S. Sampuran Singh, M. L. A., Sodhi Harnam Singh, M. L. A., S. Raghbir Singh, S. B. Prabh Singh Chawla, S. Harnam Singh, Advocate, S. Basant Singh Moga, issued the following statement:— We declare that Sjt. Rajagopalachari's formula for communal settlement which has been approved by Mahatma Gandhi is manifestly unfair, inequitable and detrimental to the best interests of the country in general and the Sikhs, in particular. Any communal settlement without the expressed consent of the Sikh community shall not be binding on them and we expect that the Sikhs will oppose with all their might any such arrangement.

The All Parties Sikh Conference

Amritsar—20th. August 1944

Sikh Demand for Independent State

A representative Sikh gathering was held at the Teja Singh Hall, Amritsar, the headquarter of the Sharomani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and the Sharomani Akali Dal on the 20th August 1944.

Master Tara Singh, who convened this conference, did not want it to be described as the Sikh All Parties Conference. He asserted that to the conference had been invited every individual and every organisation that had anything to do with Sikhism. Masterji was cheered when he declared that he had even approached his bitter opponents—the Central Akali Dal—without any hesitation and he went personally to the Acting President of the Central Akali Dal, S. Amar Singh of the Sher-i-Punjab, in spite of the long-standing differences, and requested him to bring any number of the people to the conference he and his friends liked. He was sorry that the Central Akali Dal decided not to attend it for reason best known to them. He had no hesitation in saying that for obvious reasons he did not have the courage or the heart to go to Baba Kharak Singh or send him an invitation because he was afraid lest Baba Sahib should feel insulted by his invitation. Of course, no invitation had been sent to any Communist because, he declared, with the approval of the conference he did not regard Sikh Communists to be Sikhs. That, he said, was because of the declaration made by the Sikh Communists which showed utter lack of faith in the tenets of Sikhism and their Gurus.

Apart from that, Master Tara Singh, in the course of his speech, while proposing the name of Sardar Mohan Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takhat Sahib—the most authoritative seat among the Sikhs from where orders could be issued to the Sikhs, said that every body had been invited and he was glad there had been a generous response.

Of the 741 invitations issued 561 Sikh individuals and representatives of various Sikh organisations including members of the Sharomani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Singh Sabhas, Sharomani Akali Dal, Chief Khalsa Dewan, the Sikh Defence of India League, Sikh M. L. A.'s, Sikh moderates, Nirmalas, Namdharis had responded to the invitation.

Among those present at the conference, which started at 12 noon, were S. Baldev Singh, Minister of Development, Punjab, S. Ajit Singh, Minister N.-W. F. Province, Sardar Buta Singh, Member of the Council of State, S. Sampuran Singh, S. Ujjail Singh, S. Mangal Singh, M. L. A. (Central), Gyani Kartar Singh, S. Kapur Singh, S. Jogendra Singh Man, S. Tara Singh, S. Gurbaksh Singh, S. Lal Singh, S. Mula Singh, S. Inder Singh, M. L. As, S. Kartar Singh, Campbellpur.

[p. 212] The conference, which continued for more than five hours, adopted five resolutions which were moved by various Sikh leaders and were adopted unanimously excepting the main resolution where there was just one dissenting vote. As the gentleman was given opportunity to speak sometime after the resolution had been passed, he expressed his views, which the organisers took as being the views which showed that he had withdrawn his opposition.

A walk-out was staged by the Sikh representatives from the Rawalpindi Singh Sabha as they thought that the meeting was not representative of the Panth as only pro-Akali people had mostly been invited. Their objection was that the conference not being Panthic could not invest all powers in Master Tara Singh. An invitation for such a conference where someone was to be empowered on behalf of the Panth should have been issued from the Akal Takhat Sahib and then if Baba Kharak Singh had not come he could be blamed. No notice was, however, taken of the walk-out.

The following resolutions were passed by the conference:—

The Panthic gathering emphatically condemns the Gandhiji-Rajaji formula for communal settlement and rejects it because as a result of its enforcement, the Sikhs will be divided into two sections to be held in perpetual bondage. Further this formula which would vivisect the country will undermine the unity and combined strength of the country and create conditions of permanent disunity and anarchy in this land. This Panthic gathering further declares that no communal settlement reached without the previous consultation with and without the consent of the Sikhs will be binding on them.

The second resolution ordered Master Tara Singh to lead the Sikh community in order to oppose the C. R. formula and authorised him to formulate a programme and appoint a sub-committee for the execution of the programme and carry on negotiations with various organisations in the country so as to safeguard the claims and rights of the Sikh community.

The third resolution expressed the opinion that the present political dead-lock is highly detrimental to the interests of the country and should be resolved by releasing unconditionally all political prisoners and by the establishment of a National Government. The resolution declared that the Sikhs were always ready for an honourable settlement.

There was another resolution moved by Sardar Mangal Singh, M. L. A., (Central) which declared the Sikh opposition to the division of India but wanted the creation of a position wherein the Sikhs would remain neither under the domination of the Muslim majority nor the Hindu majority and that they would get the same rights in all the provinces as had been given to other minorities.

By an amendment which was moved in the resolution, a demand was made for the creation of an independent Sikh State.

On a further amendment being moved by S. B. Ujjal Singh, who was supported by Gyani Sher Singh the whole matter related with the demand for the establishment of a Sikh independent State, its scheme, etc., was left to the committee which is to be appointed by Master Tara Singh. The committee was asked to enquire into the matter and with the consultation of all Sikh interests evolve a scheme for the establishment of an independent Sikh State in case India was to be divided among the Hindus and the Mussalmans.

Master Tara Singh appealed for greater unity among the Sikhs and asked them to shed off their personal prejudices and create a Panthic feeling within themselves and learn to sacrifice everything for the Panth. If they were united and disciplined they would be able to make themselves heard by those including Mahatma Gandhi who were refusing to listen to them or even care for them.

The "C. Rs." formula, said Master Tara Singh, was not acceptable to them as it would result in dividing the Punjab by putting 17 districts in the Pakistan and 12 districts with Hindustan. This would place the Sikhs under perpetual slavery of the two, namely the Hindus and the Mussalmans. That, he asserted, the Sikhs did not want. The Sikhs also wanted political power. The Hindus did not want division of India because it suited them to maintain their power in the centre. Mr. Jinnah was now trying to placate the Sikhs by offering them what he described "better terms". The Sikhs would refuse to live on anybody's charity.

Master Tara Singh declared that the Sikhs were already tired of the Muslim Raj in the Punjab. They were not fighting against it because of the circumstances due to war as the British Government would not tolerate any agitation to-day. The present Premier was slightly better than the late Premier who was very clever. But the Sikhs were tired of the Muslim Raj in the Punjab. They were only waiting for an opportunity and they may have to give a fight very soon.

[p. 213] Explaining his attitude towards Sikh recruitment, Master Tara Singh said that he wanted the Sikhs to join the army for the sake of the Panth as the Sikhs in the army would be their great support. Moreover, when the struggle came they would be able to get moral support from a section of the Military officers as they got during the Gurdwara movement.

Master Tara Singh revealed that while he had almost despaired of receiving a reply from Mahatma Gandhi to his letter, he received one from him to-day in which Mahatma Gandhi explained how the letter which was posted at Amritsar on August 5 reached him on August 10 and he could not reply before August 15. The letter however assured Masterji that Gandhiji would be glad to know any flaw. But Masterji said that Gandhiji having given his offer to Mr. Jinnah would not be able to go back from it, even though their offer was given contrary to the assurance which was given to the Sikhs at the Lahore Congress. He added that he would not mind if Gandhiji did not fulfil his pledged word to the Sikhs. The Sikhs, said Masterji, must now learn to stand on their own legs and look up to no one. He wanted them to formulate their own demand and let not the history of 1917 be repeated when settlement was arrived at between the Hindus and the Muslims without any reference being made to the Sikhs. The Sikhs were a nation and they wanted to live in this country as honourable people and if there was to be a division they must not be made slaves of a Pakistan and Hindustan.

Gyani Sher Singh moved the first resolution condemning C. R. formula and rejecting it, The mover said it was significant that no Sikh had supported the C. R. formula. Under the scheme in the area consisting of 6 districts of the N. W. F. P. 8 districts of Sind and 17 districts of the Punjab the Muslim population would be 76 per cent and the remaining 24 per cent non-Muslims, mostly in rural areas, would be under the thumb of the 76 per cent Muslims. His apprehension was that if the border line districts or talukas or tehsils were to be allowed Amritsar might also go into Pakistan because depressed classes may join with 46 per cent Muslims in the two district Tehsils of Ajnala, Nakodar, Zira, Shakargraph, Shakargraph would also go into Pakistan because of the Muslim majority. This would result in giving away two-thirds of Punjab to Pakistan.

He declared that Sikhs must have equal rights, like brothers and they could be placed under nobody's domination. If a common rule of all the communities was not possible in India the Sikhs would also like to see their own flag flying some where in their own territory. Before the British rule the Sikhs were rulers of the Punjab and they did not want to be put under perpetual subjugation of any community after the British go away.

Sardar Santokh Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, seconding the resolution said that the Sikhs would fight to the last man against the establishment of Pakistan. The Sikhs had always stood for nationalism and suffered for India's freedom. But no one, not even ten Gandhis, had a right to barter away the Sikhs. He regretted it most that Gandhiji came to the rescue of Mr. Jinnah when he was drowning after his defeat at the hands of the Unionists. Pakistan meant Muslim majority Raj and they could not tolerate it.

S. B. Sardar Ujjal Singh, supporting the resolution, said that the brave Sikhs were no stumbling block in the way of freedom-loving people. They were not selfish but they did not want to live in perpetual slavery. He envisaged a constitution for India where no one community would dominate over others and suggested composite cabinet of all communities. The right of self-determination was given to a nation only for, otherwise, in a country like India it would lead to its complete vivisection. If Mr. Jinnah's demand was conceded, he would then ask for a corridor after India becomes like Balkans and for the defence of that corridor perhaps British soldier might be required. Did the Muslims want to lose 1¾ crores of the pensions of the military men who would go into Pakistan. He maintained that Sikhs had more financial interests in the districts of Lahore, even though the Muslims were in majority. Out of 18 lakhs of revenue the Muslims paid only Rs. 6,16,193. The minority problem always remains. He therefore did not want to appease Mr. Jinnah for nothing. Sardar Basant Singh, Moga, a member of the A,-I, C. C., supported the resolution as a Congressman and said Gandhiji should not ignore the Congress resolution of May 1942.

S. Kapoor Singh, M.L.A. (Congress), speaking in his individual capacity, wanted Sikhs to wait and not give their verdict before placing their point of view before Gandhiji to whom they should represent their case. He stood for unity of India and said that they must arrive at some settlement to get rid of foreign rule,

[p. 214] There were interruptions while S. Kapoor Singh spoke. Gyani Kartar Singh opposed S. Kapoor Singh and expressed the apprehension that Gandhiji may do his best for arriving at a settlement and the only thing that could avert such a catastrophe was their united opposition which he wanted the Sikhs to carry on strongly. If an agreement was reached, the formula would become worse.

He said that the Sikhs favoured the division of India in order to save the Panth only, but others wanted a division to crush and finish the Sikhs. While in the 12 districts there would be 33,38,327 Muslims and 18,40,112 Sikhs, in all being 51,78,439 whereas the Hindus would be 55,12,435 thus giving them majority in those districts also. The Sikhs were prepared to agree to division only out of compulsion. If Pakistan was to come of compulsion because Mr. Jinnah's demand could not be resisted, why not give an independent State to the Sikhs also. He asked that no appeals should be made in the name of the country as henceforth there would be no India after division. If the Sikhs did not oppose the establishment of Pakistan now they would never be able to fight it out. The Sikhs had forced the last citadel on the Indian border to be the Jamrud fort. They did not want the border, but to be in Amritsar. He had no objection in going to Gandhiji but beggar, he said, cannot be chooser. The Sikhs had been reduced to the present state of helplessness because they always went with folded hands to Gandhiji. It appeared that Gandhiji was thinking of appeasing only Mr. Jinnah. The result of begging again and again could be nothing but what they had seen in connection with Gandhiji's correspondence with the Viceroy.

Gyani Kartar Singh thought that the Viceroy's reply had been an eye opener to Gandhiji and it was on that account that he had thought of writing to the Sikhs that he would like to know of any flaw; otherwise he might not have cared for them at all. The resolution was passed, only one Dr. Gour Saran Singh dissenting.

Sardar Kartar Singh Campbellpuri, Advocate moved the second resolution regarding the establishment of National Government.

The resolution was seconded and supported by S. Har Charan Singh and S. Balwant Singh. The resolution was passed.

The resolution regarding the "order" of the Panth to Master Tara Singh to assume the leadership for carrying on the agitation against "C. R." formula was moved by S. B. Ujjal Singh M. L. A., and seconded by S. Mangal Singh, M. L. A., (Central), S. Jaimal Singh (Jhelum) and S. Prem Singh Sodhbans.

Tributes were paid to Masterji and he was described as the most incorruptible man.

The speakers asked Masterji to lead them to victory and they wanted the people to know that Masterji's voice was the voice of the Panth. S. Mangal Singh asked the Sikhs to remember that on them would fall the responsibility of protecting the Hindus and they would be duty bound to do so.

By a resolution moved by S. Pritham Singh (Jathedar, Sharomani Akali Dal) it was decided to observe September 3 to voice the Panth's protest against the C. R. formula.

Sardar Mangal Singh, M.L.A., (Central) in moving his resolution, regretted that by Gandhiji's blessing the C. R. formula and his agreeing to appease Mr. Jinnah, his (Sardar Mangal Singh's) conception of India and her freedom for which so much sacrifice had been made had received a rude shock. Muslims wanted to have a territory from Constantinople to Delhi and it was pity that Gandhiji was trying to appease Mr. Jinnah. Countries and territories could not be given on paper, he said. He added that Swaraj could not be won by correspondence. He complained that a cultured man like Mr. Rajagopalachari had asked if the Punjabee Hindus and Sikhs wanted Mr. Amery to decide for them their matters and rule over India. He reported by saying: "Does Rajaji want to force the Punjabee Hindus and the Sikhs to agree to Pakistan with the help of Amery's bayonet". He did not want Punjab to become another Poland. He suggested that Gandhiji should declare that he would not agree to any communal settlement unless the Sikhs accepted it also.

S Mohindra Singh moved an amendment asking for an independent Sikh State.

Master Tara Singh, in course of his concluding remarks, while accepting the order of the Panth said: "I have decided to obey you because my heart is in the work which you have entrusted to me," He regretted that Hindus were not realists and declared that he had nowhere said that Hindus and Sikhs could not unite in their opposition to the C.R. formula. Of course, for a common cause [p. 215] being made by the Hindus and the Sikhs the time had not yet come. He, however, declared that the Sikhs would not agree to any such division of India—among the Hindus and the Muslims. If Muslims could not be prevailed upon to remain in a united India, the Sikhs could not be forced to go out of a United India—into Pakistan".