HISTORY

Sikhs and The 1947 Transfer of Power

Dr. Kirpal Singh

After the 3rd June Plan in 1947 the Sikhs posed a problem. They had been recognised as the third important community of India by the British Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 wherein it had been stated “ .....It is sufficient to recognise only three main communities in India General. Muslims and the Sikhs and the General community including all persons who are not Muslims or Sikhs.”[1] It was due to this reason that they were being consulted at every important phase of transfer of power. The 3rd June Plan conceded Pakistan, which had created difficulties for the Sikhs. The Shiromani Akali Dal, the most influential political organisation of the Sikhs was opposed to the creation of Pakistan. It was of the view that if Pakistan was created, the Sikh state should also be established. Master Tara Singh, the veteran Akali leader in his memorandum to Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru had clearly stated, “If Hindus want Hindu Raj and Muslim advocate Muslim Raj, no alternative is left to us except to make the Sikh Raj as our goal. We want Sikh Raj for we cannot exist without it in the present attitude of Hindus and Muslims. This Sikh Raj must comprise of atleast those portions of land which are historically, culturally, religiously, economically and traditionally connected with us...... But if it is finally agreed between Hindus and Muslims that they must separate and the country be divided into Pakistan and Hindustan, there is no way left to us except to immediately demand a homeland for the Sikhs.”[2]

According to the 3rd June Plan, Pakistan was being conceded on the Principle of “contiguous majority areas", but the Sikhs were nowhere in majority in any district of British Punjab where their population had been concentrated. In order to secure majority of Sikh population the Shiromani Akali Dal had been demanding not only partition of Punjab - separating of Muslims majority areas of the West Punjab from the East Punjab, but also exchange of population, as is clear from Shiromani Akali Dal’s resolution passed on April 16, 1947 - “Shiromani Akali Dal demands that before transfer of power to the Indian hands in June 1948 the Punjab should be divided into two provinces. The Shiromani Akali Dal further demands that facilities be provided for exchange of population and property and that special arrangements be made for protection, honour, integrity and sanctity of historically religious places.”[3]

In order to meet the Sikh point of view some senior British officials in India were exercising their mind. One such British officer was Sir Edward Penderal Moon, I.C.S. (died in 1987). He had served the Indian Government from 1929 to 1944 and for sometime he was the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar. Later on he was appointed Secretary, Development Board 1946-47. During 1947 he was working as Revenue and Public Works Minister in Bahawalpur State, now in Pakistan. Later on, he wrote a book “Divide and Quit" and was co-editor of “Transfer of Power" series published by Her Majesty’s Government in England. He made two proposals to improve the position of the Sikhs after the 3rd June Plan. First was the formation of Sikh dominated East Punjab and the second was joining of East Punjab with Pakistan.

While addressing Lord Ismay, Moon put forth a proposal that a Sikh dominated area might be formed in East Punjab wherein the Sikh population from the West Punjab might be migrated. he stated : “It will considerably facilitate matters if it can be so arranged that the new Eastern Punjab has the strongest Sikh complexion and does not, therefore, include Gurgaon, Hissar, Rohtak and Karnal. The Sikhs have already put this demand to Congress who hesitate to accept it. I would suggest that this Sikh demand should be encouraged and conceded. You can doubtless be of assistance in this regard.”[4]

How practical was this suggestion of Sir Penderal can be judged from the fact that ultimately there was exchange of Muslim and non-Muslim population in the East Punjab and the West Punjab, making East Punjab predominantly Sikh area, especially after separating the Hindi speaking areas from East Punjab, viz formation of Haryana as a separate state in 1966.

This proposal however was considered at the highest level and was discussed with Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Mr. Jinnah by Lord Mountbatten. Lord Ismay subsequently wrote to Moon on 31st July, 1947 :- “The idea of eliminating Hindi speaking parts of eastern Punjab and thus dividing the poor Punjab into three bits instead of two was put to His Excellency, but both the leaders agreed that it was not possible for H.E. himself to meet their claim now. They seemed fairly content with his promise to write and draw the attention of leaders to their request and H.E. has done this.”[5]

Lord Ismay ended his letter by appreciating Moon’s proposal. He argued things had gone too far for making any change in the 3rd June Plan. He replied : “From the point of view of avoiding a row in the central Punjab, I expect that you are right about the best course to adopt. But things have gone much too far for H.M.G. to be able to take a hand and if provincial boundaries are again to be redrawn it would have to done by the successor authorities.”[6]

Sir Penderal was not content with the formation of Sikh dominated East Punjab. That was perhaps a step in the right direction. But he went further and suggested: “The step would be to indicate that it is optional for this Sikh Eastern Punjab to join Hindustan or Pakistan and there is no presumption that it must join one rather than the other. The Sikhs will probably make this clear themselves, but if they ask for some pronouncement to this effect from H.M.G. it will probably be advisable to accede to their request.”[7]

Sir Penderal Moon advocated a Sikh-Muslim accord as a solution of the Sikh problem. He wrote to Lord Ismay, the chief of Lord Mountbatten staff, “without a Sikh-Muslim Pact there will be chaos in the northern India.”[8]

When the 3rd June Plan was circulated to various Governors by the Viceroy, Sir Evan Jenkins, Governor of Punjab pointed out to the Viceroy that the 3rd June Plan would adversely affect the Sikhs as it would divide the Sikhs into India and Pakistan. The Viceroy’s reply was that Sikhs could improve their position through negotiations.[9]

The Viceroy invited for dinner Maharaja of Patiala and Mr. Jinnah, President of Muslim League who subsequently became Governor General of Pakistan. Mr. Jinnah was accompanied by Liaqat Ali Khan and Begum Liaqat Ali Khan. Late Maharaja Yadvinder Singh of Patiala writes about his meeting with Jinnah : “The talk started and offers were made by Mr. Jinnah for practically everything under the sun if I would agree to his plan. There were two aspects - one was based on the idea of Rajasthan and other for a separate Sikh State -  Punjab minus one or two districts in the south. I had prolonged talks with Master Tara Singh, Giani Kartar Singh and other Sikh leaders and all the negotiations on behalf of the Sikhs were within my knowledge. I was to be Head of new Sikh state, the same as in Patiala. The Sikh would have their own army and so on. I told Mr. Jinnah that I could not accept either of his two proposals.”[10]

It is significant to note why Maharaja Yadvinder Singh of Patiala refused the offer of Sikh State. He himself writes : All these things sounded most attractive, but I could not accept them being practical, and neither could I change my convictions."[11]

What are those convictions which prevented Sikhs to join Pakistan? For this purpose we have to understand the Sikh psyche. In all gurdwaras they repeat the litanical Prayer, viz “Hail all those martyrs who suffered for the sake of religion. Hail those who were cut to pieces, boiled alive in cauldrons and were tortured to death by removing their skins from their bodies.” This refers to the Mughal rule of 18th century and it could not foster happy memories among the Sikhs about Muslim rule. Eversince the introduction of provincial autonomy in Punjab, Sikhs have been complaining against the Muslim domination. This led to anti-Muslim bias especially against the Muslim domination. To crown all, in the communal riots of March 1947 a large number[12] of Sikhs had been killed by the Muslim fanatics in the district of Rawalpindi. This made the Sikh more embittered against the Muslims. No Muslim leader expressed regret over these merciless killings. This had made compromise with Muslims almost impossible in that atmosphere.

During the talks with the Muslims League leaders the Sikhs leaders insisted on some constitutional rights which Mr. Jinnah would not concede. Master Tara Singh and other Akali leaders insisted that the proposed Sikh State in Pakistan should have the right to opt out of Pakistan after some years. Mr. JInnah did not agree to this. Subsequently talks broke down.[13] S. Baldev Singh rightly described the attitude of Mr. Jinnah as that of a salesman who wanted to sell a horse without convincing the customer of its good quality by trial and always asserted that the horse was a good one.[14]

Ultimately the Sikhs casted their lot with India. This was made clear to the authorities in India as is evident from Lord Ismay’s letter dated July 31 1947, addressed to Sir Penderal Moon. He writes : “The viceroy had an interview with S. Baldev Singh and Giani Kartar Singh on 30th June. Sardar Baldev Singh said that there was no sign at all of either of the major parties making any concession to the Sikhs and I doubt very much whether there will be any settlement between them and the Muslims. Indeed all the emphasis at the interview was on concessions to be obtained from the Union of India and not from Pakistan.”[15]

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