Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer

“In the beginning of the twentieth century, the Sikhs formed the largest part of the Indian emigrants in USA and Canada. The Sikhs have an ambitious bent of mind and have enterprising nature. They were highly conscious of political ascendancy which they had enjoyed till half a century ago. The British tried to keep them economically satisfied; firstly by giving him preference in recruitment to the army and secondly by setting him in the canal colonies. The Sikhs knew that these facilities were for the benefit of the British. Grand fighters at such low salaries tough and better tillers for canal colonies. This was the modus operandi of the British as no other nation or race could have been so used. Thus the feeling in the Sikh mind was not that of gratitude but of nostalgia for the past glory of the nation. The daily evening singing of the Sikh ambition, “Raj Karega Khalsa” was a constant reminder of their goal. The desire for self-rule ‘was constantly nagging the Sikh mind.”

A pamphlet named “Khalsa” was published and was distributed in Taxton Hall London, on May 10, 1907 on the occasion of the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the 1857 Ghadar. This pamphlet appealed to Sikhs to struggle for the expulsion of the British from the Sikh zone (Khalistan).

In the same decade Sant Teja Singh spent a lot of time in Harvard University. His main stress was on avenging the British for the annexation of Punjab by the British.

In 1912 Bhai Jawala Singh Thatian, Bhai Santokh Singh and Sant Wisakha Singh decided to grant six scholarships to Indian students for their study in the USA but nonSikhs in Canada and even the USA did not cooperate whereas those who applied for such fellowships were all nonSikhs. The struggle for permission for entry of the families of the Sikh emigrants in Canada was fought by Sikhs, prominent among them were Dr. Sunder Singh, Sant Teja Singh, Raja Singh Baarian under the auspices of Khalsa Diwan Society of Canada. Khalsa Sabha Poohla (Lahore) condemned the Canada Govt’s action on June 23, 1912. The Singh Sabhas of Gawalior Simla also passed alike resolutions, Sant Singh Lyallpuri also made representation for the same. in January 1913 Baba Jawala Singh of California was invited by Khalsa Diwan Society Canada to discuss the issue. Names of Bhai Balwant Singh (Priest) Bhai Narain Singh (Joint Priest), were selected from Canada to be joined by Jawala Singh and Nand Singh Sihara of the USA. The deputation had a talk with the Punjab Governor O’Dwyer. In anger Bhai Balwant Singh used pungent language for the Governor. But this meeting was not to bear any fruit.

In those days the centre of the activities of the emigrants in Canada was the Gurdwara at Vancouver. In

 Hong Kong the total activity of the Ghadar movement was carried out by Bhai Bhagwan Singh and Dr. Thakar Singh Ikkelaha.

In those days the centre of the activities of the ‘emigrants in Canada was the Gurdwara at Vancouver. In Hong Kong the total activity of the Ghadar movement was carried out by Bhai Bhagwan Singh and Dr. Thakar Singh Ikkolaha.

In China the leaders and the workers were mainly the Sikhs. As reported to the CID by informer Hasan Hatano, the three ring leaders of the seditious campaign abroad were: Iswar Singh, Johore (Singapore), SecySikh Temple, Vancouver (Canada) and Dr. Thakar Singh, Canton (China).

In Seattle, Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna, Udham Singh Kasel and Bhai Harnam Singh were the leaders of the movement. Meaning thereby the majority of the workers who worked and sacrificed for the movement were the Sikhs. The nonSikhs Lala Hardyal, Parma Nand etc were usurpers of the leadership of the movement and both of them, later on apologized and prayed for mercy to the British government.

The Ghadar Party was formed in March 1913 and the first meeting of the Association was held at Bridal Veil (Oregon) on March 31, 1913. The first step of the organization was to bring out a weekly journal “Ghadar” from November 1, 1913. Under the able leadership of Bhai Sohan Singh Bhakna the organization added a large number of members to it. Soon the branches were opened at Shanghai, under the leadership of Bhai Sunder Singh, Dr. Mathra Singh, Wasakha Singh Dadehar and Gajjan Singh. The Hong Kong branch which was previously an unnamed group (led by Dr. Thakar Singh Ikkolaha) was now organized. Giani Bhagwan Singh, Bhai Harnam Singh and Bhai Bishen Singh were selected the conveners. Branches were started in the Philippines, Siam, Panama and various other places. By the first quarter of 20th century the party had branches almost in every nook and corner of Pacific Coast & various other stations. Leaders like Sohan Singh Bhakna, Wisakha Singh Dadehar, Dr. Thakar Singh, Dr. Mathra Singh, Bhai Bhagwan Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Harnam Singh Kala Sangha, Harnam Singh Tundi Laat, Baba Kartar Singh Latala, Baba Gurdit Singh, Nidhan Singh Ghugha, Bhai Jawala Singh, Bhai Santokh Singh, Bhai Kesar Singh, Bhai Nidhan Singh were associated with the movement. A long term plan was chalked to relieve the country from the British. The British were to be tumed out in stages. The Sikhs wanted it to begin with N.W.FP and Kashmir to be followed by Punjab. It was strange Hardyal suggested such a step. The prologue in 190607 was a pointer to the success but, for ulterior motives this was omitted, as the Hindu mind knew that the freedom of the Sikh zone meant acceptance of the supremacy and the lead of the Sikhs as well as freedom for the Sikh Nation which in fact, in their hearts, they had never desired. Thus, due to ill will and due to foolishness, the Ghadar Party from the very beginning became a victim of conspiracies, frauds, prejudices and maneuvering.

When the Ghadar Party was formed it was anticipated that World War I would erupt. The Ghadarites had made contacts with the German authorities, It was planned that the Ghadrite leaders from outside and within India would start the Ghadrite simultaneously with the outbreak of war. Strange it was that no plan or strategy was so far made for Ghadar in India. (The ardent followers of Hardyal call him the brainiest person in India and if he was associated with this movement, then one can understand the intelligence of Hardyal as well as the other Ghadarites). Only one plan for Ghadar has, so far, been traced from the sources at National Archives of India, N. Delhi. This is in the form of a letter written by Dr. Thakar Singh of Ikkolaha (Canton) to Bhai Bhagwan Singh (Hong Kong) detected by the British government in 1915.

Kamagata Maru

The anticipated war broke out in 1914 and the Ghadarites had to advance their action from 192425 to 1917. Meanwhile the tragedy. of Kamagata Maru (Guru Nanak) ship occurred. It was on March 29, 1914 that Baba Gurdit Singh chartered a ship to carry Indians directly to Canada, The ship arrived in Vancouver on May 22, 1914. The Canadian government did not allow the passengers to disembark. A legal solution proved useless. A request for refueling was also turned down. The Canadian government threatened to fire at the ship. At this the local Sangat (Sikh gathering) at the Gurdwara at Vancouver, on July 21, 1914 passed a resolution that if the ship was fired at, the Sikhs would set fire to the city of Vancouver. This declaration compelled the authorities to allow provisioning of the ship on July 22, 1914. After remaining for two months in Canada waters the ship left for Calcutta on July 23, 1914. It reached Kilpi on September 26, 1914. On arrival it was thoroughly searched. On September 29, 1914 it was moored at Budje near Calcutta. Inspite of the search conducted on the ship a large number of revolvers went untraced. Before the arrival of the ship, the British government in India had already passed two ordinances: Foreigners Ordinance (dated 29.8.1914) and Ingress into India Ordinance, 1914 (dated 5.9.1914) which empowered the government to restrict the liberty of any person: entering India after September 5, 1914. A special train was arranged to carry these passengers to Punjab but they refused to go to Punjab. In a procession with Guru Granth Sahib in their midst, they marched to Calcutta Gurdwara. The police wanted them to return and a warning was issued to them. On their refusal the police fired at them. The jatha returned the fire. 15 passengers and 3 policemen were killed. Most of the passengers were arrested but about 30 including Baba Gurdit Singh, managed to escape. The incident provoked the Sikhs in Punjab and abroad. It gave great impetus to the Ghadar movement. This incident was exploited by various revolutionary organizations in Punjab and abroad. Although some organizations like the Chief Khalsa Diwan, and the Indian National Congress tried to condemn the passengers, but the general Sikh masses expressed their concern for the passengers.

The war between England and Germany broke on July 28, 1914 (Kamagata Maru ship left Vancouver on July 23, 1914). The Ghadar leaders now, decided to move to their native lands. The August 4, 1914 issue of “Ghadar” weekly asked the people to move to their Country and to incite native troops against the British. In August 1914 the first party (Kartar Singh Sarabha, Harnam Singh Tundi Laat etc) left for India. It was followed by the main jatha of 70 persons by the S.S. Korea” which left San Francisco on August 29, 1914. After this about 6 to 8 thousand persons mostly Sikhs, left for Calcutta. The British government had already Received intelligence reports. Ordinance V of 1914 named “Ingress into Indian Ordinance 1914” had already been passed.

 To Be Continued

Article extracted from this publication >>  August 25, 1989