About this stamp
Baba Kharak Singh: The Grand Old Man of Punjab
Early Life and Education
- Birth: June 6, 1867, at Sialkot
- Education: Graduated from Government College, Lahore in 1889
Entry into the Freedom Struggle
- Initial Career: Secretary, Municipal Committee, Sialkot
- Transition to Freedom Movement: Left his job to join the freedom struggle, driven by his spirit of sacrifice and dedication.
Role in Sikh and National Movements
- Central Sikh League: At the second session in Lahore (1920), urged Sikhs to support the Congress against imperialism, attended by Mahatma Gandhi.
- Gurdwara Liberation Movement: Played an active role, notably in the incident involving the keys of the Tosha Khana (Treasury) of Darbar Sahib.
- Protest and Arrest: Arrested for protesting the Deputy Commissioner’s actions, refused court jurisdiction, resulting in six months imprisonment and a Rs. 1000/- fine.
- Victory: Accepted the keys of the Shrine upon release, an event celebrated by Mahatma Gandhi as “the first decisive battle of India’s freedom.”
Confrontations with the British Government
- Imprisonment: Tried under Section 121-124 of the Indian Penal Code for anti-Crown speeches, initially sentenced to three years, later extended to five years due to his protests in jail.
- Demonstrations: Led a massive protest against the Simon Commission in 1928.
- Criticism and Imprisonment: Imprisoned again in 1935 for his strong criticism of the Communal Award.
Later Contributions and Legacy
- Support for I.N.A.: Advocated for the Indian National Army in 1945.
- 1946 Elections: Campaigned across Punjab and N.W.F.P., contributing to Congress’s success.
- Recognition: Praised by Jawaharlal Nehru for his dedication to preserving the dignity of the National Flag.
Death
- Date: October 6, 1963
Baba Kharak Singh’s life was marked by unwavering commitment to the cause of India’s independence, a journey filled with immense personal sacrifices and leadership in both the Sikh and broader national movements.
Sources:
Courtesy of “Eminent Freedom Fighters of Punjab” by Fauja Singh, and Shri Narinder Singh.
