Author: Tarlochan Singh (Ex-MP Rajya Sabha); Editor: Ujagar Singh

Reviewer: Hardev Singh Virk, Visiting Professor, SGGS World University, Fatehgarh Sahib

Publisher: Charhdikala Publications, Rajpura Road, Patiala (2015); Pages: 160; Price: Rs. 150

Tarlochan Singh, the author of this book, has been a leading figure in the firmament of Indian politics; starting his journey as Press Secretary to President Giani Zail Singh, then moving to Rajya Sabha as its member, and becoming Chairman of Minority Commission of India (with the rank of a Cabinet Minister).  In whatever capacity he served, he left an imprint of his personality and professionalism. The book under review is based on his articles and speeches delivered at various forums. The book is edited by Ujagar Singh. Jagjit Singh Dardi, publisher of this book, writes in his introduction: " The publication of this book will prove to be a milestone in Sikh politics, Sikh culture, Sikh concerns and issues, and Sikh Literature". Prof. Balkar Singh in his preface has given a critique of the thought processes of the author by his brief review. I like his statement: "The process of dialogue is almost absent in Sikh society. Tarlochan Singh has used Sikh thought and praxis as a technology to resolve on-going conflicts". 

The author starts his innings with the essay: "Sikh Qaum da Safar (Journey of Sikh Nation)" in which he recounts the history from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh and spread of Sikhi in all nook and corners of India and outside of India. There is a clear evidence of spread of Sikhi in the 1699 Baisakhi congregation held at Anandpur Sahib where five Beloved ones (Panj Pyaras) hailed from different regions of India despite all handicaps of undertaking long journeys. He has praised the role of Yogi Bhajan in spread of Sikhi in America and traced the history of Sikh diaspora citing their success stories. He is critical of the role of SGPC which failed to supply literature and prepare preachers who could deliver sermons of Sikhi in English and other foreign languages. He is fully aware that only the message of Guru Nanak is relevant in modern scientific age.

In the following 5 chapters, the author asserts that Guru Gobind Singh was the harbinger of the freedom movement in Punjab; he worries about Patit Lehar in Punjab and suggests some remedies to stop it; an account of Guru Nanak's travelogues is given; creation of Virasat-e-Khalsa as an historical monument to Sikh heritage; and condemnation of Sikh Talibans who have created a fear psychosis in Punjab by their anti-Sikh activities. I fully appreciate the concerns of Tarlochan Singh regarding the change of Sikh nomenclature (naming Mata Gujri to Gujar Kaur, Sundari to Sundar Kaur, etc.) in recent times which is against our history and Sikh tradition. Author is also highly critical of mixing political demands with visits of foreign dignitaries which happened during the visit of David Cameron, the Prime Minister of UK, to Golden Temple. The sanctity of such visits need to be maintained by SGPC.

The author is worried about the preservation of Sikh artifacts of historical value. He suggests that such rare artifacts needs to be collected and preserved as per UNESCO guidelines for our posterity. The case of rare artifacts of Guru Gobind Singh in possession of Maharaja of Nabha is a case in point. SGPC must collaborate with archaeology department to preserve these valuable symbols of Sikh culture in a museum. Calendar issue has split Sikh nation and author suggests that we must get out of this rut by adopting the original calendar.

In the next few chapters, author recounts the history of Anand Marriage Act which was presented by Tikka Ripudaman Singh of Nabha and approved by the Viceroy of India on 22 October 1909 despite opposition by the Arya Samaj and some catholic Sikh organisations. After independence, this act remained in disuse and  Sikh marriages were being registered under Hindu Marriage Act of 1955. Tarlochan Singh had to canvass support for re-introduction of Anand Marriage Act in Parliament by making strenuous efforts and garnering support of all political parties irrespective of their party affiliations. This single achievement of the author has made him a hero in the Sikh world.

The author traces the history of Rajiv-Longowal pact which failed to bring peace to the troubled Punjab because it was conceived in secrecy by a coterie of Sikh intellectuals and wily politicians without the involvement of Akali stalwarts, Jathedar Gurcharan singh Tohra and Parkash Singh Badal. The suggestions of author to involve the real Akali leaders were ignored by Rajiv Gandhi and hence its failure. The other burning issues which were discussed by the author  on the forum of Parliament are related to Nanavati Commission and injustice meted out to the Sikhs, Operation Blue star  and role of Indira Gandhi. The author believes that Indira Gandhi was mis-guided by a coterie and took a decision against her wishes.

The author is appreciative of role played by Mater Tara Singh in the trial of Veer Savarkar, President of Hindu Mahasabha and a staunch supporter of RSS ideology. The author makes a strong plea to consider Banda Singh Bahadur as the first free King of India and his account of bravery should be a part of school curriculum in India. There is strong criticism of Haryana  Sikhs demand for a separate Gurdwara Committee by the author which will prove disastrous for the Sikh unity. There is a chapter on the role of Dr Balbir Singh of Panchvati, Dehradun in promoting Sikh literature. The author forgot to mention the role of Puran Singh, the great Sikh Scientist, Poet and Philosopher, who was a life-long friend of Dr. Balbir Singh in Dehradun and living in Ivanhoe, next door to Panchvati.

The last 2 chapters are interesting and important from historical point of view. The author has given an account of Sikh presence in other provinces of India and how Sikhs are flourishing in their businesses outside Punjab. The author proposes that Sikhs must get political mileage where ever they live by seeking support of like-minded parties as they have done in Canada, England, Singapore and Malaysia. There is a suggestion that Daswand (Tithe) of Sikh nation must be spared for upliftment of marginalised sections of Sikh society, viz. Sikligars and  Vanjaras. How the armaments of Sikh Gurus and Warriors were recovered from the debris of Akal Takhat is highly rewarding and exciting account narrated by the author. In fact, these shasters (armaments) were displayed in Quila Gobindgarh, Amritsar by the army after Operation Blue Star just like a war time trophy. It was N.S. Rattan, Secretary to Punjab Govt., who pointed out to Giani Zail Singh the real worth and Sikh heritage of this collection in presence of S. Tarlochan Singh. There is no historical record of these artifacts and there is lot of confusion about the genuineness of these armaments kept at Akal Takhat.

The author writes his own account in the last chapter under the title "My Story". I enjoyed reading this inspiring auto-biography of the author. This sums up the life history of 80 years full of adventure, political fortunes, vicissitudes, and rise of a man from public relation officer to the rank of a Minister of Cabinet rank in India. This story can inspire any young man and needs to be broadcast in the form of Seminars and other means of muti-media in Punjab.