Why in News?
Recently, January 20 marked the death anniversary of Sewa Singh Thikriwala.
- Early life – He was born in late 19th century in Thikriwala village, part of princely state Patiala, Punjab.
- His father Dewa Singh was a high-ranking official in the court of Maharaja Rajinder Singh.
- Revolutionary phase – He spearheaded the self-rule movement against the rulers of Punjab’s erstwhile princely states.
- His direct criticism of the Patiala Maharaja’s rule led the authorities to imprison him.
- His fellow Akali leader Kharak Singh launched a campaign against the state for demanding his release.
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Praja Mandal Movement
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- Objectives
- To protect the civil liberties of the masses.
- To protest against oppressive taxes.
- To seek reforms in the peasants’ conditions.
- To open educational institutions.
- To have a responsible government.
- Coverage – It spread over 600 princely states of British India.
- Important leaders - Kharak Singh and Master Tara Singh.
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Significance - Now part of the Malwa region, with some parts in Haryana, these areas are politically active even today and were hotbeds of the recent farmers’ agitations.
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Punjab Riyasat Praja Mandal - Was presided the Sewa Singh Thikriwala.
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It was largely run by Akali leaders.
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- Meeting with Gandhi – After his release in 1928, he met Mahatma Gandhi in 1931, to discuss the problems faced by the people of Punjab.
- Negotiation – Patiala Maharaja initiated negotiation with him but it failed over the demand for an elected assembly.
- Last phase of his life – He died in 1935, while he was on a hunger strike in jail over his mistreatment by jail authorities.
- Memorial – After his death, a memorial has been held annually in the Thikriwala Village in January.
- Government has announced that Sewa Singh’s house would also be turned into a memorial.
Reference
The Indian Express| Story of Punjab’s Sewa Singh Thikriwala
