Master Tara Singh was most important Sikh leader of his times: Former VC

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 17

Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh has released a book, “Master Tara Singh and his Reminiscences”.

Eminent author Professor Prithipal Singh Kapur wrote the book that was released at a function organised by the Sikh Educational Society at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College here.

Various speakers, on the occasion, stressed the need for reappraisal of the vital role played by Master Tara Singh not only in Panthic politics but also his concerns for the country as a whole in the context of the creation of Pakistan.

Dr Jaspal Singh said Master Tara Singh was the only leader who brought up the Panthic agenda at the national level and forced the government to include Sikhs as the third party in negotiations during the pre-partition period.

Eminent historian and former GNDU Vice-Chancellor Dr JS Grewal described Master Tara Singh as the most important Sikh leader of his times. Prof Raghuvendra Tanwar from Kurukshetra University said he was one leader who refused to acknowledge the supremacy of the British rulers. Moreover, he went to the extent of questioning the role of Mahatma Gandhi.

Prof Prithipal Singh Kapur talked about his relationship with Master Tara Singh and his role in the Sikh polity and expressed the view that the Sikhs would always need a political party with its own distinct policy and programme.

Kiranjot Kaur, granddaughter of Master Tara Singh and member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, was honoured on the occasion and the first copy of the book was presented to her.