Master Gurbanta Singh

Master Gurbanta Singh was born in Dhaliwal village, Jullundur, Punjab in British India. Master did his education from the Jalandhar town and became a school teacher at Sain Dass A.S Sr. Secondary School (Jalandhar).

His political career started when he became village sarpanch. After the influence of Ad Dharm movement he declared himself Ad Dharmi in 1931 census along with other Dalits of Punjab, especially in Doab.[2]

In mid 1920s, Gurbanta Singh came into contact of Mangu Ram Mugowalia, a fellow casteman and also founder member of Ghadar Party. Mangu Ram had started Ad-Dharm movement and established many mandals in Doab regions of Punjab, where Dalit formed major share of population. Though in initial years, Singh's closeness to movement was because of oppression and illireracy among Dalits of Punjab. But later he fully got involved in this social movement and became General Secretary of Ad-Dharm Mandal of Jalandhar.[3] Both Mangu Ram and Gurbanta Singh took Ad-Dharm movement to its zenith and it became most successful Dalit's reform movement in North India. At the same time he joined Unionist Party and fought election unsuccessfully.[4]

After years of long contribution into the movement but due to differences with Seth Kishan Dass another prominent leader of Ad-Dharm movement, he left the mandal and became active into politics.

Master Gurbanta Singh again fought elections from Jullundur (Reserved Seat) and became successful. He was made Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana (Premier of Punjab).[5]

In 1947, India gained independence and he joined Indian National Congress. He fought elections in 1952 and 1957 also but lost elections. In 1962, he won from Kartarpur constituency and was chosen as cabinet minister in the Cabinet of Pratap Singh Kairon from 1956 to 1964.[6]

He became Agriculture Minister of Punjab and played an instrumental role in establishment of Punjab Agricultural University (Ludhiana), which paved the way for Green Revolution in India and also was a key player in construction of Bhakra Dam.[7]

Gurbanta again elected unopposed in 1972 Punjab Assembly Elections and joined the Ministry of Giani Zail Singh (former C.M of Punjab). He he became six times a member of Punjab Assembly and slowly came to be known as biggest Dalit leader of Punjab in those times even Republican Party of India which was founded by Dr.Ambedkar himself became small infront of his stature.

Master Gurbanta's family is known to be one of the biggest political families of Punjab. His elder son, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh became his successor who became Zila Parishad of Jalandhar and later became five-time MLA from Kartarpur seat and then Minister in Beant Singh, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Amarinder Singh's ministry. His son Chaudhary Surinder Singh, also became MLA and Zila Parshad but both father son failed to become like Gurbanta Singh.[8]

Gurbanta's youngest son, Santokh Singh Chaudhary became his real political successor even without his declaration and became MLA of Phillaur and then Member of Parliament from Jalandhar. He was also made Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Vice-President of Punjab Congress, four times Cabinet Minister in Punjab govt., also member of Central Board of Film Certification and served parliamentary committees.[9]

His wife, Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary is a retd. principal of Govt. Sports and Arts College (Jalandhar) and also contested from Phillaur seat. Their son, Vikramjeet Singh Chaudhary, was President of Punjab Youth Congress and General Secretary of PPCC.[10]

Master Gurbanta Singh Memorial Janta College at Kartarpur, Punjab (India) was established by him which was later renamed after him. Master Gurbanta Singh Marg at Basti Bawa Khel in Jalandhar is also named after him.[11]

Master Gurbanta Singh is known as a Dalit stalwart in Punjab politics and today Dalits are one of the politically strongest communities in Punjab due to works of Master.

• Ad-Dharm movement
• Kartarpur Assembly Constituency
• Political families of Punjab