NON COOPERATION MOVEMENT.

These were turbulent times. Following the passing of Government of India Act, 1919, elections were held. The Indian National Congress boycotted the election for it was not satisfied with the political reforms envisaged. On 1st August 1920 Mahatama Gandhi launched the Non cooperation Movement and appealed to the people to surrender titles, honorary posts and observe hartal. A special session of the Indian National Congress under the Presidentship of Lala Lajpat Rai was held on 4^th September, 1920. In this session an appeal was made to the public servants to resign from administrative posts, Government educational institutes and to Leaders to boycott Councils, to the People in general to boycott foreign textiles. At an annual session in December 1920 at Nagpur, the decision of non-cooperation with the government was ratified with the declaration "Swaraj by all peaceful and Legitimate means". The new policy of Non cooperation and the crop failure gave a new momentum to the freedom movement in Punjab.

On 14^th December 1920, the Shiromini Akali Dal was organized with a view to work for the reforms in the Gurudwaras.

GURUDWARA REFORM MOVEMENT.

The objective of Gurudwara reform movement was to purify their places of religion from the evil practices and to liberate them from the vested interest of the Mahants and government appointed managers. The movement became political, once the Government started to support the vested interest in the Sikh Shrines and the nationalist forces lending active sympathy and support to the Akalis in their struggle against the foreign Government. This, thus broadened, the scope of the movement. Two pronged struggle was directed against the Mahants and other vested interests in the Sikh shrines on the one hand and against British imperialism in the Punjab on the other. Akali Jathas were formed all over the State to free the Gurudwaras which had fallen under the hands of the disrupted Mahants who refused to abdicate them.

The Akali Jathas increased in numbers and successfully took over the management of a large number of Gurudwaras. Attention was now devoted to Harmandir Sahib, the Center of Sikh activities. While the Sikhs were anxious to have the Gurudwara vacated of the vested interest, government did its best to forestall any move on this, as they wanted their own stooges in these places. Government used the priests of the Akal Takht who were made to issue Hukamnamas against the Ghadrite heroes describing them as Thugs and calling upon the Sikh masses not to give them shelter. Later after the tragedy of Jallianwala Bagh when the whole country was busy condemning the brutal inhuman action of General Dyer, Arun Singh, the Government appointed Manager of the Golden Temple honored him with Saropa. The agitation over the Golden Temple continued with almost cold response from the Government. The taking over of the Golden Temple became easy when the priest of Akal Takht made an exist over the entry of the newly baptized low cast members of the Khalsa Birdari into the premises of the Golden Temple.

The Sikh struggle for taking over the Gurudwaras was attended by some tragedies. The most ghastly one occurred on 20^th February 1921, when the Mahant of Nankana Sahib Gurudwara got the Akalis, gone under the leadership of Lachhman Singh massacred in a brutal manner. Over 160 Akali reformers were done to death. For the murder of the innocent people three were sentenced to death and two including the Mahant were imprisoned for life. It was alleged that the commissioner of Lahore had supported the Mahant secretly with whose permission he had purchased arms. Gandhiji's visit to Nankana Sahib following this tragedy and the Hunter Committee report created further complications. The government instead of regretting the death of so many people adopted a hard line. The government’s objective being to suppress or else weaken the Akali agitation.

After taking over the management of the Golden Temple and the Akal Takht, a provisional committee was formed to look after the affairs of the temple. Sardar Sunder Singh Ramgarhia was asked to hand over the keys to the President of SGPC. But before this could be done, the Deputy Commissioner sent an Extra Assistant Lala Amarnath to take over the keys. Consequently, an intense agitation both in the press and the platform ensued. Government ordered the arrest of Dhan Singh and Jaswant Singh, while they were addressing the Diwan (religious gathering) at Ajnala. On hearing the news of their arrest, 50 of the SGPC members reached Ajnala to continue the proceeding. The Assembly was declared illegal and SGPC members were arrested. These measures did not enable the government to check the movement SGPC gave a call to the Sikhs to hold Diwans everywhere.

The government realized its folly and began to negotiate with the moderate Akalis. Prisoners were released. The Akalis however, refused to go to Deputy Commissioner to collect the keys; a government officer was sent to hand over the keys to Baba Kharak Singh, President, SGPC at a specially arranged Diwan in the Golden Temple. The defeat of the Government was seen as the decisive victory of the forces of nationalism in the country. Gandhiji sent the following telegram to Baba Kharak Singh, President of the SGPC.

"First battle of India's Freedom Won. Congratulations."

The Akali Movement brought the Sikhs in the National Movement. Boycott of Councils, Courts, Schools, and Foreign Cloth and above all the boycott of the visit of the Prince of Wales to India in December 1927 and the Hindu-Muslim unity shook the Government. This resulted in the stamping of repressive measures by the official machinery. Twenty-five thousand persons were imprisoned. By the end of 1921, various movements throughout India and the Non-cooperation Movement of the Congress threatened the very existence of the British Empire. The tragedy at Chauri Chaura were 22 policemen were burnt alive in a police station, greatly shocked Mahatma Gandhi who then withdrew the movement to avoid further violence. Gandhiji was arrested and later sent to long term imprisonment. The Government had hoped that with Gandhiji in Jail, the Akali movement might become weak.

It took this opportunity to hastily pass the Gurudwara Reform act. The Akalis not only rejected it but started on other struggle know as Guru Ka Bagh Morcha. Sunder Dass the Mahant of the Gurudwara Guru Ka Bagh objected to the cutting of the wood for the Langar (meal) in the Gurudwara. On 9^th August, 1922 five Sikhs were arrested on the charge of trespass and sentenced to six months of rigorous imprisonment.

The Akalis protested against the high handedness of the Government and started to send Jathas of 100 Akalis daily, to assert their right to cut wood for use in the free kitchen, from the land attached to the Gurudwara. The government closed all roads leading to Gurudwara Guru Ka Bagh. In spite of these measures, Akalis continued to pour in at Guru Ka Bagh. They were severely beaten till they became unconscious. This continued for nineteen days and for nineteen days the Akalis were treated in the same manner. The Indian National Congress of 1923-24 passed a resolution, 'This Congress declares that the attack made by the Government on the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee and the Akali Dal is a direct challenge to the rights of free associations for non-violent activities and being convinced that the blow is aimed at all movements of freedom, resolves to stand by the Sikhs and calls upon all Hindus, Musalmans, Christians, Parsis and all people of India to render possible assistance with men and money.'

The Guru Ka Bagh Morcha ended when the Lt. Governor of Punjab after visiting the Gurudwara ordered the police to stop beating the Satyagrahi Akalis. Later a Hindu Philanthropist Sir Ganga Ram, purchased the land and handed it over to the Akalis.

Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha was a Nationalist at heart. He supported the cause of the freedom fighters and openly supported the Akalis in their struggle for Gurudwara reforms. He also voted against the Press Bill in the Legislative Assembly of which he was a member. The British wanted to dethrone him. So on a complaint of the Maharaja of Patiala, the boundary dispute between the Patiala and Nabha states was referred to the British Court of inquiry. The decision went against the Nabha State as was expected.

In a dramatic action, the Government deported Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha. This came as a rude shock to the Sikhs. They organized a protest march and offered special prayers. The SGPC passed a resolution demanding the restoration of the Maharaja and asked the Sikhs to observe 9^th September, 1923 as Nabha day. The Government felt threatened and in its bid to curb the activities, may arrests took place. The Sikhs of Nabha State organized Akhand Paths on the occasion. One such Akhand Path was held at Gurudwara Gangsar in village Jaitu. The police entered the shrine, interrupted the recitation of the Holy Granth and arrested some Akalis. The Government declared SGPC and Shiromani Akali Dal as unlawful bodies. Prominent Akali leaders like Master Tara Singh were arrested on the charge of waging war against the King and were taken to Lahore for trial. Inspite of all this the Jathas continued to march towards Jaitu. They were severely beaten and many of them were arrested. On February 21, 1923 a Jatha of 500 was fired upon which resulted in considerable loss of life. There were around 300 causalities.

The Indian National Congress declared its full support to the Akali Morcha at Jaitu. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Principal Gidwani and Mr. Santanam were arrested on their way to Jaito. They were taken to the jail after being paraded on the streets of Jaito chained and in handcuffs. In his statement before the court, Nehru had explained his position thus," I do feel that the restrictions imposed by the present administration in Nabha on our undoubted rights are indefensible and raise a wider issue. On that issue my duty is clear. If that results in a conviction and sentence I shall gladly welcome it."

The trial lasted for several days. Nehru was sentenced to two years imprisonment besides another six months term for defying the ban on his entry. Later the orders were withdrawn.

The Government negotiated with some moderate Akalis and a way was found to have Gurudwara Act, 1925 passed to the satisfaction of all concerned. Peace was restored and the prisoners were then released.

During these years Babbar Akalis, a militant group also started their terrorist activities under the leadership of Kishan Singh and Master Tara Singh. Most of these terrorists were drawn from the Ghadar party and soldiers on leave. The activities of the Babbar Akalis were intense though of short duration. Soon they were rounded up. 62 of them were put on trial. Six men including Kishan Singh were condemned, 23 were acquitted and the rest were sent to Jails.

SIMON COMMISSION.

In 1926, Bhagat Singh formed the Nau Jawan Sabha with a view to inspire the Punjabi youth for the revolutionary activity. With the help of Kedar Nath Sehgal, Sardul Singh, Anand Kishore Mehta, Pindi Dass Sodhi and Ram Chandra, the Nau Jawan Sabha soon became powerful. Eminent national leaders like Jawahar lal Nehru spoke from its platform. In 1927, with the efforts of Bhai Santokh Singh and Abdul Majid, the Kirti Kisan Party was formed. In 1928, in association with Nau Jawan Party, a "Tract Society" was established with the primary objective of publishing revolutionary literature to be distributed among the students at Lahore.

Meanwhile the political struggle all over India and Indians started asking for more constitutional reforms. Simon Commission was appointed to study the question of reforms. Simon Commission arrived in India on 3^rd February 1928. It was boycotted by the nationalists for no Indian was represented on it. In Punjab protest marches were organized. It was in one such procession at Lahore that Lala Lajpat Rai who was the undisputed leader of the Punjab Congress received fatal blows of police lathis and died due to injuries on 17^th November, 1928. The young members of the Nau Jawan Sabha, decided on an instant revenge. The task of avenging the death was entrusted to Bhagat Singh and his associates Rajguru, Suhkdev,  Chadra Shekhar Azad  and Jai Gopal. The target identified was J.A. Scott, the Superintendent of Police. The officer they killed infact was J.P. Saunders, the deputy Superintendent of police.

After this incident the Punjab Revolutionaries went underground and formed Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs in the central Assembly Hall with a view to apprise the British administration of the national sentiments of the Indian People.

On one hand Bhagat Singh was being tried for his daring act and on the other hand Sohan Singh Josh was being tried for the Meerut conspiracy case. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were sentenced to death in October, 1930. The British Government did not commute the sentence of death into life imprisonment despite nationwide appeals. Pandit Nehru wrote about this event thus.. "Whether I agree with him or not, my heart is full of admiration for the courage and self sacrifices of a man like Bhagat Singh. Courage like that of Bhagat Singh. is exceedingly rare. If the Viceroy expects us to refrain from admiring this wonderful courage and the high purpose behind it, he is mistaken. Let him ask what he would have felt if Bhagat Singh had been an Englishman and had acted for England". Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev were hanged on 23rd March, 1931. There were Hartals, mourning processions and there was gloom spread all over the country especially in Punjab, the land of the birth of these heroes.

The Simon Commission though rejected by all parties indirectly urged the Indian leaders to draft a constitution of their own to which all parties agreed. The climax was reached when the constitution for Dominion Status (popularly known as the Nehru Report) was not accepted by stipulated date. Therefore the Indian National Congress which met in December, 1929 on the bank of Ravi at Lahore decided on the midnight of December 31st,1929, the goal of the Congress to be complete Independence instead of Dominion Status. The Congress boycotted the election and 26th January,1930 was declared as Independence day.