Dear Editor,

This refers to the rejoinder from Dr. Balkar Singh Husson, Duarte, California to my report of the S.S.F. Anniversary Conference (W.S.N. dated September 1, 1995).

Although, I believe Dr. Bhai Harbans Lal, the speaker in question, would, in due course, respond to the Dr. Husson’s letter, in the meantime, I would like to draw the attention of the readers to an article, “I Remember Jinnah’s Offer of Sikh State,” of Maharaja Yadvindra Singh of Patiala, published in the Tribune Ambala on July 19, 1959.

The Editor of the Tribune wrote, “The extracts from the article are re produced below “We liad drinks and went in to dine. The talk started, and offers were made by Mr, Jinnah for practically everything under the sun if would agree to his plan, There were two aspects. One was based on the idea of a Rajisthan and the other one for a separate Sikh State—Punjab minus one or two districts in the south. I had prolonged talks with Master Tara Singh, Giant Kariar Singh and other Sikh leaders and all the negotiations on behalf of the Sikhs were within my knowledge. Indeed, in some ways, I had quite a deal to do with them, I told Mr. Jinnah that I could not accept them as being practical either of his two proposals, and told him a lot of what was in my mind. Liaqat Ali and Begum Liaqat Ali were most charming to me, and went out of their way to offer, on behalf of the Muslim League, everything conceivable. I was to be the Head of this new Sikh State, the same as in Patiala, The Sikhs would have their own army and so on.

“All these things sounded most attractive, but I could not accept them as being practical, and neither could, in the mood that I was in, change my convictions… iountbatten was a patient listener, occasionally taking part. He eventually said that perhaps Mr. Jinnah and I could meet again soon at some convenient date.

“Two days later…she (Miss Jinnah) gave us some very excellent ca…Discussion began very much on the same lines,., We again parted unchanged in our own points of view.

“HTS, Malik (ex-Prime Minister of Patiala State) had left an account of his talk with Mr, Jinnah and Liaqat Ali Khan which is preserved in Oral History Cell (file no. 77) Department of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala. The question was asked by the writer of these lines (Editor the Tribune) and his reply is reproduced below:~ “You accompanied the Sikh leaders for negotiation with Mr. Jinnah and Liaqat Ali Khan, Could you throw some light on it why did it fail? “We agreed and finally met at my brother’shouse4, BhagwandasRoad, at New Delhi. Present at the meet were Maharajah of Partial, myself, Master Tara Singh and Giani Kartar Singh, I was the spokesman for the Sikhs.

“Mr. Jinnah started by saying that he was very anxious to have Sikhs agree to Pakistan and he was prepared to give them everything they wanted, if they accept Pakistan. I said to him, “Mr. Jinnah you are being very generous but we would like to know exactly what our position will be. You will have a Government, you will have a Parliament, and you will have Defense forces, what part will the Sikhs have in all these. His reply was “Mr. Malik, are you familiar with what happened in Egypt? 1 will deal with the Sikhs as Zaghlul Pasha dealt with the Copts (The Christian siincry) when Egypt became independent.’ He then went onto tell us the story…They, (Copts) did this (brought their demands)…Zaghlul…without read in; it wrote on it, ‘I agree.’ Mr, Jinn added, That is what I will do with the Sikh. “This put us in an awkward position… What to do? “Then…I said, ,..supposing, God’ forbid, you are no longer there when. the time comes to implement your, promises?…His reply was astounding and in fact convinced me…’My friend, my word in Pakistan will be like the” word of God, No one will go back on it.

“There was nothing to be said after this and the meeting ended.”

In a letter to Lod Mountbatten, Sp Baldev Singh wrote on May 7, 1947 “I was glad to Team from you that Mr, Jinnah was now anxious to seitle with the Sikhs. I have had a number of ‘opportunities to discuss matters with him, He had expressed the same sentiments tome as well.”

In the presence of such an overwhelming documentary evidence, hope Dr, Husson would not find Dr. Bhai Harbans Lal’s statement ‘pretty heavy.”

Pritpal: Singh Bindra, Canada.

Article extracted from this publication >>  September 15, 1995