21 years ago I saw with my own eyes the scene of the cremation of Panth Ratna Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra in Tohra village, where not thousands but lakhs of people were teary-eyed who had come to pay homage to their beloved leader.There is hardly anyone in the political arena who has received as much criticism and praise as Jathedar Tohda. His personality was a perfect blend of religion and politics. Despite many vicissitudes, Jathedar Tohra remained ever conscious of Sikh identity and concerns. He understood the fragility of the times and never allowed politics to dominate religious beliefs. In the context of Sikh politics, he always ensured a balance between religion and politics, although he maintained the control of religion over the state and the king. At the time of his departure, political thinkers had imagined that the absence of such a visionary leader would prove to be a turning point for the Sikh community and the Akali Dal. Today this prediction has come true. After his departure, a lot has changed in the entire Sikh politics. Today Shiromani Committee and Akali Dal are directionless. Even today, when it comes to the politics of Punjab and the future of Akali Dal, sensible and honest people remember Tohra Saheb and say that if he had been there at this time, the situation of Akali Dal would not have been like this.
Jathedar Tohra was born on 24th September 1924 to Sardar Dalip Singh and Mata Basant Kaur Ji and he was married to Bibi Joginder Kaur Ji. He received his BA in Punjabi Literature from Punjabi University, Lahore. He was interested in Gurbani and Sikh propaganda. He had a good grasp of political issues and was skilled in policy making. He started his political career in 1938 by joining the Shiromani Akali Dal at the age of 14. In 1944, he joined the Akali Morcha and went to jail, the streak continued. Apart from the Punjabi Suba Morcha, Dharma Yudh Morcha, he also spent 19 months in jail during the Emergency of 1975. Jathedar Tohra, who spent his entire life in the service of the Guru Ghar, became a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in 1960 and was elected as the President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for the first time in 1973, a position he held for 27 years. He was elected 6 times to Rajya Sabha and 1 time to Lok Sabha. He was a member and leader of the Akali Dal and several assembly committees, educational and religious institutions.
Jathedar Tohra’s talent and devotion to the cult earned him a unique place in 20th century Sikh history. He acted like a Betaj Badshah, was at the center of Sikh politics and kept the spirit of the Akali Dal alive. Life was full of struggles, but he showed courage in words and actions. This simple Jat son never deviated from his honesty and simplicity throughout his life, never allowed his white clothes and life to be stained. In a system full of corruption, he always kept himself free from all kinds of accusations by doing nothing for his own benefit, even though he compromised many things in the administrative field to maintain his supremacy. His ancestral 10 acres of land did not become 11 acres, even though he had risen to a very high political position. His ancestral home in the same village where he spent his entire life and always liked to come home at night.
Owing to a magnetic personality, he had an impact on everyone he came in contact with. Whoever met him once, could not remain without being influenced by his personality. There was respect in everyone’s heart. Being a hardworking, characterful and practical leader, it was very easy for common people to reach or connect with him. He liked to spend most of his time among his people. Tohra Sahib had the habit of calling everyone by name and making him a home in his heart. He never lost touch with his roots as he rose from the bottom to the top through hard work, which is why his supremacy has always been established whether he is in or out of power. His true and holy life is an ideal for the youth even today.
Jathedar Tohda was very intelligent, multi-talented, unblemished personality and courageous leader who stood firm in every challenge. Jathedar Tohda is a personality who is remembered by the names Panth Dardi, Selfless Panth Sevak, Baba Bohar, Iron Man, Messiah of the Poor, Diamond of the Nation, Fearless Commander of the Panth, Chanakya of Sikh Politics, Brilliant Brain of Sikhism etc. Devoted to the creed, a fearless defender of Sikh principles, who never wavered, remained steadfast. He used to express his views with great boldness in the interest of Punjab and Panth. Jathedar Sahib was religious in nature, but was politically conscious enough that even big political leaders were influenced by his views. However, he preferred to consult intellectuals on the political issues of Panth and Punjab. He did not hesitate to approach each of them for national work. He maintained friendship with every political leader. Maintained contact with Sikhs in India and outside India. He was also a supporter of the All India Gurdwara Act.
It was his merit that he rose from a simple family, with the help of the Eternal God, fought the big capitalists with bare feet, rose to a high position and was accepted as a great leader of the Sikh community. Shiromani Committee and Akali Dal played an important role in the history of 40 years and created unhealthy traditions. He was included in the list of prominent regional leaders in Indian politics. In social and political life, his political intelligence, ease, modesty, cordial and friendly personality established him as a popular leader. His personality was such that even his opponents envied him.
He was able to solve the problems faced by the Sikh community through diplomacy and he led the Sikh community with sharp intelligence in difficult times. He understood the sentiments of the Sikh world and was always interested in the advancement of the sect. Under your chairmanship the Shiromani Committee became a glorious and noble organization and got the status of Parliament of Sikhs. Through Shiromani Samiti he made great strides in the field of education, establishing not only schools and colleges but also engineering and medical colleges and universities. He started many new practices through the Shiromani Samiti to provide financial support to the poor, needy and writers.
A humanitarian nature was an important aspect of his life. Tohra Sahib was an advocate of Hindu-Sikh unity, harmony and peaceful struggle. He was always in favor of ending the bitterness created by the Congress between Hindus and Sikhs. Apart from successfully fulfilling his Panth responsibilities on behalf of Panth and Punjab, he was ready to make every sacrifice to create an atmosphere of harmony and establish peace in Punjab. He took many steps towards this goal, although he also faced criticism.
Although AAP’s primary goal was not to gain power, but to propagate the principles of Sikhism and maintain the cleanliness of the Gurudwaras. The distinct identity and existence of the Khalsa within the country was to be preserved. Panthic power divided several times, but he himself always remained a supporter of panthic unity. He never hesitated to take any major decision in the interest of Sikhism. Despite having sour-sweet political relations with Sardar Parkash Singh Badal, when the Panth and the Akali Dal felt the need to plan afresh in view of the challenges arising from the political situation, they forgot the difficulties in uniting with Badal and considered him as their leader. Such decisions elevated his personality to a higher level.
Jathedar Tohra did not want any confrontation with the government. He had deep respect for Saint Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, the head of Damdami Mint. Tohra Sahib did not expect that Mrs. Indira Gandhi would attack Sri Darbar Sahib. During the 1984 attack, Tohra Sahib saved many Sikh youths from the wrath of the army. When he and Badal Sahib were in Tihar Jail, Mrs. Indira Gandhi offered reconciliation, but both refused, as there was no scope for reconciliation after the attack on Shri Darbar Sahib. The government was aware of Tohra Sahib’s capabilities. In his absence, Rajiv Gandhi made an agreement with Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, which could not be fulfilled and resulted in the martyrdom of Sant Longowal.
Jathedar Tohda’s sharp intellect and visionary policy is evidenced by the fact that as the Chairman of the Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee, he filed a case for financial compensation against the Central Government for the military attack. The purpose of which was to put the full responsibility of the damage caused by the attack on the central government and to admit that the military attacks on the Gurudwaras were completely illegal. Telling the whole world that the third Ghallughara happened because of the big mistake of the Congress government. Last year, the Delhi High Court had advised the Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee and the central government to settle the issue out of court if they so desired. But the Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee is being pressured by the Sikh community not to accept the central government’s proposal so that the objective of Jathedar Tohra Sahib can be fulfilled. In which the Sikh community wants to know that the Indian government, which claims to be the world’s largest democratic country, should explain why it attacked our revered religious places of Shri Darbar Sahib and Shri Akal Takht Sahib with guns and tanks.
It has been 21 years since Tohra Sahib passed away from this world, but only a personality and thinking like Jathedar Tohra can provide the right leadership to the Sikh world and show it the right path and direction. Today, a true Sikh leader like Jathedar Tohra, who is well-wisher of Punjab and well-wisher of the sect, is sorely missed.
For thousands of years, Nargis has been crying on her own bed.
Badi mushkil se hota hai chaman mein deedavar born”
(Prof. Sarchand Singh Khaila.
, Spokesperson Punjab BJP, 9781355522)