Sir Chhotu ram and the Agrarian crisis

THE STALWART UNIONIST- SIR CHOTTU RAM

2012-01-12T06:31:00.000-08:00

Sir Chhotu ram and the Agrarian crisis

2011-12-26T20:28:00.000-08:00

Agricultural Renaissance in Pre-Partition Punjab

2011-12-26T20:20:00.001-08:00

Inspiring Lives: Section

Inspiring Lives

They say that History is but a series of biographies. In every issue of Renaissance we will bring to you a glimpse of some epoch-making lives. The first issue of Renaissance is hereby dedicated to the messiah of the farmers – a leader with great vision and political will.

It is insane to sell agricultural land to the highest bidder and convert fertile land into SEZs, rather ways should be found to make farming profitable. Today we need a new agricultural ‘renaissance’ and may be there is a lesson to be learnt from the past.

The Agricultural Renaissance of Sir Chotturam

Mein akela hi chhalla tha

Janibe manzil magar

Log saath atte gaye

Karvan banta gaya

“My economics is drawn from the book of life”, said Sir Chhoturam. He asserted that politics is empty without a sound economic basis. As the birds defy the scarecrow, so does a hungry man defy the one who snatches his bread. Inferior politics thrives on empty stomachs and not patriotism. Patriotism and freedom can flourish only in a welfare state: freedom on an unwholesome economic basis has no character and little endurance. This was his first lesson as a school boy. From 1923-1945 several reforms were implemented to improve the conditions of the masses in Punjab. All socio-politics is parasitic on farmer but finally, Punjab found a leader who gave back to them. What were the anxieties that drew a daredevil out of a serene thinker? How was private agony transformed into a massive remedial movement?

The chronicle begins with a childhood incident: a moneylender asked little Chhoturam’s father to pull “ punkah” for him in return for an education loan. Chhoturam flared up and gave this rude adult a lesson in social etiquette. As he grew he learnt that this was not an isolated incident and determined to challenge the status quo in a grander way. This episode in the long run lead to the implementation of twin debt relief Acts that liberated the farmer from incapacitating conditions.

Sir Chotturam was a man born to be at the forefront of reform movements in his times. Punjab lay like a sleeping giant before he roused it from oblivion. Women were given the status of farmers after a twenty –five years long battle that began in 1916 when a widow with 7 minor children approached Chotturam ji to take up her case against auction by the government. The judicial system did not, at that time, regard a woman as a farmer and the land could be claimed by the state. The state also interfered with the hereditary rights of the farmers and saw land as the property of the government where the farmer was only a tenant. Sir Chhoturam fought against the imposition of this discourse and made the government concede that kings and rulers came and went but the land remained the farmers property in this region. During the Provincial dyarchy introduced by Montague-Chelmsford reforms, Punjabbenefited from a string of rulings and laws passed in favour of the farmer and downtrodden sections like factory labour and dalits. In the tenure of the Punjabprovincial government of the Unionist Party, the urban leaders and capitalists were furious but helpless as they saw power slipping from their hands.. Vidhan Sabha of the Provincial government remained abuzz with discussions on his policies- many were hurt and threatened by his progressive outlook.

His drive against mercenaries became so strong and widespread that it rivaled the Swadeshi movement started by Gandhiji. Burning of Account books was its hallmark and the oppressed farmer could feel its liberating effect. He became the Chotta Ram, the liberator, Deen Bandhu, and saviour for the entire peasant community. Chhoturam was a man born to be at the spearhead of his times. He ushered in a Peasant Renaissance- blending intellectual fervour with the traditional cult of physical health. He was committed to the revival of culture- agriculture; set us free of mental slavery and taught us the value of mindscape cultivation.

Had Sir Chotturam lived Pakistan would not have been born. Jinnah met more than his match in Sir Chotturam. Let me tell you how Sir Chhoturam taught Jinnah his table manners: Sir Halley, governor Punjab, in an attempt to resolve the differences between Jinnah and Sir Chotturam invited the two doyens to dinner. Both the guests were seated facing each other but arrogant Jinnah tilted his chair at an angle and looked away. Sir Chotturam understood the affront. He got up from his seat and did a 180-degree turn with his own chair. “What is happening?” asked Halley.

“Nothing!” replied Sir Chotturam, “I was telling Jinnah that in court arguments a peasant may be floored but in an ego-clash it is impossible to overreach him”.Sir Chhoturam had founded the Unionist Party in 1923 with Sir Fazl-e-Hussain and Muslim stalwarts like Sikandar-Hyatt Khan and Khizr-e-Hyatt Khan were his close companions. It was neither Muslim League nor Congress, but the Unionist Party that was prominent in Punjab till 1945 till his death. Although Sir Chhoturam was proud of the peasant community and origins he was never a sectarian or mere regionalist. This is the reason why, even today, he is revered more in present day Pakistan than in India. FormerPakistan President Mr Tarrar remembered Sir Chhoturam as his mentor at his oath-taking ceremony

More historic events come to the mind: A Communal section of Muslims in colonial Punjab dubbed Jinnah Kaid-e-azam sending fanatic messages across the region. Quickly, a counter-ceremony was instituted in which the secular people gave Sir Chotturam the title of Rehbar-e-azam, the true companion and guardian. A message was sent to Jinnah: “LEAVE PUNJAB”. Before the expiry of the ultimatum, Jinnah flew-off from Punjab like a paper tiger. In Punjab, Sir Chhoturam’s name spelled communal harmony. Everybody knew how this scholar of Bhagvad Gita was also a great admirer of Allama Iqbal’s poetry.

Chhoturam hailed from a peasant family and grew up to be a messiah for the farmer in Punjab struggling under the twin assault of money lenders and the Raj. He had established the Congress at Rohtak in 1916 but split his way in 1923 after voicing reservations to a partial non-cooperation movement that he felt severely compromised the interests of the peasants. In those days, non-payment of taxes led to an usurpation of the farmer’s property by the government that usually auctioned it off to prosperous bidders. Gandhi refused to involve mill-owners, traders and money-lenders in the movement who would directly benefit from the punishment met out to the protesting farmers. He presaged an unsuccessful movement demanding farmers to be the sacrificial lambs and was against it- he felt that Gandhiji protected and furthered the financial interests of the native exploiters and rich classes by not soliciting their support to the nationalist cause.

Sir Chhoturam recommended that Jinnah should be discouraged and delineated a strategy whereby this could be successfully done, namely, asking him to give a well- defined socio-economic programme for the new proposed state of Pakistan; people’s feelings given due weightage; Indian strategic response discouraging those who opt for Pakistan. He asked for politics based on economic interests and giving up of Pacifist practices.

Chhoturam started a blitzkrieg campaign to sensitize people against the scourge of communal rift, he died in 1945 and India never woke up from the nightmare of communal hatred after his untimely demise.

A great leader like Sardar Patel had the shock of his life when he found that the crowds that had gathered to hear him slowly gravitated towards Sir Chotturam’s stands leaving his side empty. That day, even Sardar Patel took from him a lesson in popularity.

He was the initiator of a kisan awakening that left none untouched. He startedBhajan Mandalis that spread his message right, left and center. His public relations campaigns took the public by storm and paved way for the current day PR Departments. The English newspaper Hindustan and the Urdu Jat Gazette became the voice of downtrodden. He proved that intellectual farmer was not a rarity and peasant awareness was a realizable goal. He saw the farmer not as masses but once awakened as agents of change.

A grand testimonial to the intimacy of the leader and the lead was adequately supplied when in a time of agro-crisis Sir Chotturam requested the colonial administration to regulate market prices. His request was turned down- it was a Catch22. Sir Chotturam then took a bold stance: “Farmers are desperate- government, Take Care!” It was decided that all the crops would be burnt before they reached the market. The authorities were not amused and thought of putting him out of way. However, better sense prevailed and the government was forced to consider the peasant demands.

Tund hawaon se na ghabra e Uquab

Yeh to Chhalti Hain Tujhe

Unccha uthane ke liye!

This threat of total annihilation only proves our leader’s immense optimism in the potential of the underdog to turntables. A historical parallel is difficult to find but it is said that the Russian peasants burnt-up all of their produce when the French army entered their land-the French army starved and Napoleon was utterly devastated. In our case, however, the matter was solved before meeting such a sorry state.

Sir Chotturam observed the nexus between Power and Knowledge. With his finger on the nerve he was bent on getting a better deal for the agriculturist. His letters to Gandhiji, before resignation from Congress, reveal the reasons for the setting-up Zamindara League, later Unionist Party. Zamindara League was not just a political party, but also a forum for a discussion on agricultural issues. Deenbandhu believed in the Dignity of Labour but he stressed the will- power that made labour dignified. Not only did he promote a srong work-ethic but pioneered the idea of holiday culture- infact he introduced Holidays in mandis and also regularized weights and measures. He created and executed a practical Bhakra- Nangal scheme, convincing the Raja of Bilaspur to give his estate to the government. The Raja considered the river his private property as was the custom of the time, but he was persuaded by being given land elsewhere. He implemented irrigation reforms and in fact heralded in The Green Revolution that is prosperity pronounced for the Farmers of Haryana and Punjab.

For Sir Chotturam character was destiny and that is why he was an original thinker, a non-conformist as also a great implementer. He believed that the Farmer could shape his fate. Infact his actions immortalized the poetry of Allama Iqbal by oft quoting from his verses:

Khudi ko kar Buland itna

Ki har tadbeer se pehley

Khuda Bande se khud pucche

Bata teri Raza kya hai

He was not a messiah for Hindu, Muslim, and Sikhs of Punjab but a messiahfor the poor all over India: when an earthquake shook Bihar he rushed immediate help to the brothers there. Once, Sh BhimRao Ambedkar asked a press reporter the reason for Sir Chhoturam’s popularity. He asked if Chhoturam was more scholarly or more diligent than other leaders. The person replied that there could be two possible reasons for his popularity: first, no matter which corner of India you may be, if you wrote to Chhoturam you would get a reply; whoever went to his door would never return empty stomach as he kept a langar going 24 hours a day. Bhim Rao said he was a busy man and unmarried, both these feat were impossible for him. But Dada Sahib was told that Sir Chhoturam was no less busy and stayed alone at Lahore while the family resided in Rohtak.

Reasons are galore why most political leaders in this region claim to be his heirs: apart from his descendents, there are some that display his heirloom to claim descent while others some claim to have inherited his ideology. The truth is that he saw all industrious people as his inheritors- all who could carry forward his mission to empower the downtrodden.The present story started with a private episode of public import; the narrative ends with a domestic episode of social significance. Once, a community Panchayat proposed to him a second marriage. Sir Chotturam gracefully turned down the proposal: “my two daughters are everything to me. If you still insist know this: Every hard working person who sweats in the field is my son, my heir.” Till date you’ll find elders in holding heads high, puffed up with pride to be his descendants. One day an old woman asked a veteran: “Where are Sir Chotturam’s sons now?” Tau replied: “I am his son. We are his sons!” And the grandchildren who heard the lore responded by nodding their heads in agreement. The farmer community can today do ancestral worship to him when it values simplicity, shuns ritual, abjures social evils and walks the way of progress.

Some legends live on; some leaders stay alive. Therefore, we celebrate Sir Chotturam not as a political leader lost to us but as a cultural icon gained. For this leader, culture spelt a way of life that was a blend of humility and pride; reason and action; intellect and courage.

We’d like to thank Shri Pratap Singh Malik, Chief of Sir Chotturam Education Society; Shri Sukhbir Singh Malik(Retd. IAS), the Chairman RCF; late Shri Raghunath Singh(Agriculture) and Sh Chand Singh, (Retd.)GM, Haryana Roadways for giving us an insight into Sir Chotturam’s personality.

Progressive Farmer from Bhalaut, Haryana

2011-12-25T07:31:00.000-08:00

Ch Phool singh Phaugat S/o Ch Badlu Ram hails from the village Bhalaut ofRohtak, Haryana. He earned an honorary degree from HAU, Hissar for his outstanding achievements as a farmer. he practices organic agriculture and the late minister Ch surinder Singh admired him for his service3s to practices of progressive farming. In the above pics he shares some light moments with his brother Ch Chand Singh who retired as GM Hryana Roadways nand is closely associated with social service post-retirement.

2010-01-04T05:45:00.000-08:00

Sketchstory

2010-01-04T05:34:00.000-08:00

Here is my version of the story of SirChhoturam

The Story of Sir Chhotu Ram: Told through Sketches and Writing
Once upon a time in a village called Garhi Sampla there lived a boy Ramracchpal. He was fondly called Chhoturam. Chhoturam was a mischievous child and to get rid of his pranks his father Ch Sukhiram put him to school. The child was quick- witted and very soon he finished the primary. He then got enrolled at a middle school that was 30 miles away in Jhajjar. Chhoturam was undaunted and used to walk to school everyday. Soon he had passed the middle school as well and was ready to study further, but for this, he had to go to the city. Chhoturam’s father Ch. Sukhiram had little money to spare for his admission to the Mission High School, Delhi and so as per the custom those days approached the moneylender for a loan. The local moneylender advised him not to send his son for further education. “It is enough that your boy has come this far!” said.he. “To send him for further studies would be a folly,”he asserted. When Sukhiram persisted the moneylender Ghasiram threw the cord of the ceiling Punkah towards him and insolently said, “Okay, let me think over it while you pull the fan. It is hot today.” Sukhiram gulped down his anger as he wanted money for his son’s education but Chhoturam flared up: “Why don’t you tell your son to pull the fan for you. My father is twice your age and it is a shame that instead of asking me or telling your son to pull the cord you trouble my poor father. This is hardly etiquette!” The moneylender was a bit sheepish by now and defensively said, “My lad, this is the usual”. Chhoturam was not to buy this reply and said, “In fact, this is your attempt to abuse my father’s ignorance and helplessness; would you give the money for free or as charity? - won’t you be charging us double the rate of interest?” At this the moneylender lost his cool cunning and cried:” Well Sukhiram, I cannot afford to give you money.” Chhoturam declared: “Of course, you will not. And I assure you that henceforth we too will not sit at any moneylender’s feet.” At a very young age Chhoturam intercepted the nexus of power and knowledge. He had learnt that a monopoly over knowledge sustains a monopoly over power and he decided to break this nexus by awakening the people towards the ills of ignorance. This young boy was later hailed as a great leader, reformer and liberator by the peasantry of Punjab.

1910: The enfant terrible

A moment of ignominy that was also a moment of enlightenment

Chhoturam’s rebellious streak was quite obvious even in childhood. Chhotu’s father Ch. Sukhiram. visited the local moneylender for education loan. The man tried to dissuade the poor rustic from allowing his son to study further. When Ch Sukhiram still persisted Ghasiram casually asked him to pull the fan while he thought over the matter. Chhoturam was flabbergasted as he could perceive a deliberate affront in the sahukar’s attitude. He declared: “My father will not sit at any sahukar’s feet.” That day Chhoturam realized the deep nexus between knowledge and power. How the educated few by denying education to all could dominate them by playing upon their ignorance.

This young boy was later hailed as a great leader, reformer and liberator by the peasantry of Punjab.

The money for his admission fee was arranged from his paternal uncle’s savings and later from scholarships he won at school and college. Seth Chhajuram of Calcutta acted as a father figure to him and helped his higher studies. Ch Chhoturam had pledged that as he had studied through scholarships so he would dedicate his income to scholarships an never will built a house for himself. He created the Peasant Welfare Fund that helped many a meritorious children.

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1910: The Schoolboy lessons learnt in the field

“My economics is drawn from the book of life”, said Sir Chhoturam. He asserted that politics is empty without a sound economic basis. As the birds defy the scarecrow, so does a hungry man defy the one who snatches his bread. Inferior politics thrives on empty stomachs and not patriotism. Patriotism and freedom can flourish only in a welfare state: freedom on an unwholesome economic basis has no character and little endurance.

1916 :Court Premesis, Rohtak
The lawyer provides services to the farmer client; but for the farmer his shop would close. The client undoubtedly merits a seat superior to that of his lawyer- it is mockery of ethics to make him sit beneath!

1923: Heralding a new era

Meeting of Sir Fazl- e- Hussain and Ch. Chhoturam was an auspicious event for the Punjab farmers. The Unionist Party was founded by the duo with a vision to promote the interests of the crushed farmers of Punjab. The British regime with moneylenders serving as its instruments of oppression had made the owners of acres of land mere tenants on their own land. The Unionist Party was also called the Zamindar league and this was the first time that a party actually paid heed to the ‘Becchara Zamindar’.

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1923: Proposal for a second marriage

The heads of various Panchayats visited him to propose a second marriage. Ch Chhotu Ram told them that his two daughters meant the world to him. When they insisted he gathered all his love for his farmer brothers and sons and declared: “ Every man who sweats it in the field is my son. I am not worried about my lineage I have a thousand sons to survive me.”

Amritsar: Fear not, the stormy winds, O eagle, they lift you higher!

Bhim Sen Sacchar and Gopichgnd Bhargav of Congress met Sh Surjeet Singh of Akali Dal( representing the communist party in pre-partition India) and arranged a Black Flag welcome for Sir Chhoturam. Ch. Chhoturam addressed a mixed gathering of supporters and detractors and finally, the communists took down their black flags and acknowledged the Great man.

1923- 1936 and 1936-40: Freedom from the yoke

All socio-politics is parasitic on farmer but finally, Punjab found a leader who gave back to them.

A string of rulings and laws passed for the benefit of the farmer and downtrodden sections like factory labour and dalits during the tenure of the Punjab provincial government of the Unionist Party. The urban leaders and capitalists were furious but helpless to see power slipping from their hands and becoming apparent in the emancipation of the farmers. Vidhan Sabha of the Provincial government remained abuzz with discussions on his policies- many were hurt and threatened by his progressive

1942: The Crisis, The Challenge, The Victory

The British, are they so naïve that they think the farmers live on air? That they do not need food like everybody else? Black market was at its peak in the event of the World War II. Viceroy Lord Wavell called an agro- summit to decide upon the market prices. The support price for wheat was declared as Rs 6/ tons. Drawing the attention of the Government towards the plight of the farmers, Sir Chhoturam, pressed for a support price not less than 10/ tons. On Viceroys refusal to concede he threatened to burn the ready crops in the Punjab field. The viceroy came to know that Sir Chhoturam could very well execute his words and had to eventually, give in to Sir Chhoturam’s demands.

1945: The last gift

“I have not only returned you your lands but am departing after ensuring their irrigation and maintenance. May God be with all.”

What could be more untimely than his demise at this hour? Sir Chhoturam signed the file through the night. He had, at last, finalized the Bhakra Nangal scheme and had been able to remove all the obstacles in its way. A difficult deal with Maharaja of Bilaspur had been successfully managed. He died the next morning. Unfortunetly, Jinnah got this opportunity that he sought but had never dared to dream of. Sir Chhoturam fervently asked for someone to assure him that his unfinished projects would be completed.

Sketches

2010-01-04T05:29:00.000-08:00

Sketches of Deen Bandhu's life by Divyajyoti

2009-09-02T00:27:00.000-07:00

Here are a few imaginative sketches from Chhotu ram ji's life:
Punkah episode
Ram ji ki Chiriya: Politics can be evoked on empty stomaches and not patrioism.
Vakil- muakil ka rishta kya?- Resetting the equation between them.
Welcome to Amritsar: Congress- Communist intrigue

Play on the Life and Times of Sir Chhoturam

2009-09-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

A historical play based on the life and times of Sir Chhoturam was performed on August 23, 2009 as part of the inaugural ceremony of Deen Bandhu Sir Chhotu Ram Library at Sector-11, Faridabad. The library will complement the existing Sir Chhoturam Park in the area. The Resident Welfare Association of the sector deserves the credit for continually urging and mobilizing MCF for constructing and maintaining the park and other amenities and facilities in the area.The occasion was graced by Mr AC Chaudhary(Technical Education and Labour minister)as the chief guest, with Mr Yoganand Shastri( speaker, Delhi Assembly)and Mr Mahender Pratap( MLA) as the guests of honour.The chief Patron of RWA Ch. Chand Singh welcomed the guests and the president Mr Raghav drew the attention of the distinguished gathering towards various issues still plaguing the sector while cataloguing the achievements of RWA in a span of 2 years. The chief highlight of the programme was the 30 minutes play which made people aware of the great contributions of this stalwart figure in Punjab politics. The play successfully transported the urban audience of Faridabad to pre- independence era where the Punjab farmer struggled under the dual onslaught of the British government and the local moneylender. The play opens with Chhoturam writing his diary/autobiography- he recalls a childhood of rebellion narrating the Punkah episode and Mission High school agitation. These scenes are followed by a scene in the court premises of Rohtak where Chhoturam turns tables by making the client sit with the vakils/professionals. Next follows an iftar party scene heralding the friendship of Sir Fazl Hussain and Sir Chhoturam. The duo founded the Unionist Party in 1923. The narrative recounts a time of great zeal that witnessed opposition by Hindu Mahasabha, Communist Party, Congress and Muslim League and support from the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh farmers. The scenes with the Viceroy Lord Wavell and Governor- General Punjab Sir Malcolm Halley are well played out. There is a remarkable scene with Jinnah that questions and puts into perspective the Punjab deal that resulted in unforseen cruelty in the history of India or of any other nation. The play has the potential to make even the urban audience empathise with the farmer and this was apparent from the feedback. The play is relevant to the present context where once again the farmer is suffering under the myopic schemes of native governments. The concept and script was by Ms Divyajyoti, lecturer, YMCA. The play was directed by Mrs Jyotsna Singh, lecturer DN College for women who was assisted by Deepak Pal. The cast: Brij Mohan, Nehru college as Sir Chhoturam, Mahesh Saini as Chhotu ram(Jr.)and Chairman of Bar Association, Vinod as Wavell and Halley, Goga as Sukhiram, Manish as Sir fazl Hussain, Dheeraj Rana as Sahukar, Mannu as poor zamindar, Anil Chechi as Sir Khizr Hyatt and another poor zamindar, Neeraj Mittal as munim. The actors are students out of whom some are amateur theatre players. The play had an excellent sound track by Deepak Pal.

The writer is indebted to Sh Pratap Singh Malik, Sh Sukhbeer Singh Malik, Sh Chand Singh and (Late)Sh Raghunath Singh for their oral narratives on Ch Chhoturam that inspired the writer to study the life of this great person in Indian history.

Agriculture to agribusiness

2009-04-15T23:50:00.000-07:00

Agriculture can still act as the mainstay to the Indian economy. It can be the one that saves us from the adversities of glbalization and paradoxically, also the one that allows us to share the prosperity of globalization.
There are certain managerial and conceptual reconfigurations demanded for this; well- known but seldom propagated or implemented as they need pro-active farmers and farmer- friendly political will. Pl. read my comments on the FORUM under this
http://www.friendsofcongress.com/viewtopic.aspx?tid=18&sub=4

Where are those people?

2008-10-11T06:35:00.000-07:00

Jats were once renowned for their simplicity and open-mindedness. Where are the likes of Sir Chhoturam and Lal Bahadur Shastri to remind them of the way of life they chose for themselves?- 'Simple Living High Thinking'. What ignominy that Jat boys, today demand dowry, which they cursed in Banias; they practise corruption which is symbolic of greed- the proverbial big heart has dissappeared; they participate in social evils which their forefathers ridiculed and laughed at.
Waiting/Striving for change.Change for better
The farmer has become jealous of his city brothers; the city-dweller envies the villagers' simple life- but everything is superficial!
There is dissatisfaction everywhere.Let's see how things work out.
Flux / Fluid - this is the name/trait of this age....

A Song inspired by the speeches of Sir Chhoturam

2008-08-22T03:54:00.000-07:00

O Baaz, aandhiyon se lar
aur le le baazi hath mein!
Mein janta hoon thak gaya
Hai toot ta ang -ang tera
Au Urna Hoga tujhe ab
In tar -tar Punkhon pur
Pur Kaise Bhi Samet Kar
is Jaan ko tu uth Zara

Tu zor to pakar zara
yeh veg ab na thamne ka
Toofan chalenge aur bhi
Toofannon ki sawari kur
Ki nadiyaan jeetin bandh se
Aur jal mein bijli kaundhi hai!!

Kal ek bulbul sa tha tu
pur maun tera geet tha
is maun se peeccha cchura
ccheeney na koi huq tera
masumiat me samajh la
na ruriyon se ruke pa
hai jo tera sambhal le
ki bolballa ho tera

bujha- bujha sa na tu reh
sardi ki thithuran kyon sahe
karmath hai tu, jeevat hai tu
to azmale aaj ye
punjon mein le uchhal de
lurka de khaiyon ki or
is raj ki chattan ke
sir pe chhari vyavastha ko
tijoriyon ki bahi mein
girvi pare kanoon voh
jo ann tujhse le ke bhi
roti ka haq hain chhin te

O Baaz, aandhiyon se lar
bata de tu azad hai
tere dukhon ka ant ab
likha tere hi hath hai!

Dedicated to the Sportsmen, farmers and Army men of India
August21, 2008
Congratulations India, Haryana,Bhiwani Boxing Club Coach Sh Jagdeesh Ji and all the sportspersons of India on the remarkable performance of our Boxers. We could turn the tables in the next Olympics

Underdog Turns Tables

2008-07-06T05:55:00.000-07:00

Tund Hawaon se na Ghabra e Uqab
Ye to Chalti hein tujhe
Uncha uthane ke liye

Do not be afraid of strong winds, O Eagle,
They blow to lift you higher!
Our leader had immense trust in the potential of the underdog to turn tables. A historical parallel may be quoted where the Russian peasants burnt- up their produce to rout Napolean's army. The peasant in Punjab, however, did not have to actually burn the ready crop to teach a lesson to the marauder.

Sir Chhotu Ram observed the nexus between Power and Knowledge. He saw how Brahmins obliterated our past; moneylenders our present and the Congress our future(if it persisted on its pro-capitalist policies).His differences with Gandhi and Nehru were for the same reason. He was bent on getting a better deal for the farmer and thus, was the Zamindara League founded. He did not buy the story that land was an Emperor's or a Government's property; he asserted that it always belonged to the tiller whose forefathers had passed it on as a precious heirloom.Zamindara League or the Unionist Party was a political party that was actually a forum to discuss agrarian issues and resolve related problems. When this party came to power it brought about several legislations that emancipated and liberated the peasant.

Sir Chhotu Ram believed in the dignity of labour- but there was nothing to make it appear dignified- so he set out to amend the situation. He promoted strong work-ethics but in tandem with holiday culture. He introduced holidays in mandis, regulated the working hours in factories, set the minimum age limit for employable persons, worked out ensurance benefits and compensation norms for the workers.

He regulated weights and measures and got rid of the faulty balance( Kani dandi) forever. He conceived the Bhakra- Nangal project and fought to liberate water from the private hold of the Raja of Bilaspur. This was a battle of nerves as he had to face severe criticism from all sides for this venturesome project. Sadly, once the dam was constructed his name was not recalled. This dam brought prosperity to the Punjab farmer and I thank Sir Chhotu Ram for this- few have the same foresight of this man and fewer still have the grit and the courage. Like any great man he turned a dream into a reality: heralding in the Green Revolution amongst us.

For Sir Chhotu Ram character was destiny and this made him an original thinker who was a great implementor. He was strictly against superstitions that fostered ignorance. He spoke against suppressing norms that created several handicaps for rural women. He worked against purdah and he declared the woman to be a kisan in her own right. It is said that as he did not have a son a grand panchayat approached him with a proposal to remarry. Sir Chhotu Ram instantly turned down the proposal saying that his two daughters meant the world to him. When the panchayat persisted Sir Chhotu Ram said: " Every man who sweats it out in the field is my son ". We all are his sons , his daughters, and heirs to the pride and prosperity that he brought in for us.

Khudi ko kar buland itna
Ki har tadbeer se pehley
Khuda bunde se khud pucche
Bata teri raza kya hai

Make yourself so strong that before writing down your destiny or your deeds God should ask for your agreement!

Sir Chhotu Ram's actions immortalized Iqbal's poetry. He was a messaiah for Hindu, Muslim, Sikh jats and peasants of Punjab but a friend of the poor all over India: when an earthquake shook Bihar he immediately called for funds and rushed help to the brothers suffering there.

He was a man born to be at the forefront of reform movements in his times. Punjab lay like a sleeping Giant before Sir Chhotu Ram roused it from the oblivion.

2008-07-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

In a time of agrarian crisis Sir Chhoturam requested the colonial administration to regulate the market prices. The request was turned down. Sir Chhoturam took a bold stance: " Farmers are desperate- government beware!" It was decided that the ready crop would have to be burnt. For a while the authorities toyed with the idea of getting him out of their way but then they bowed down to the peasant demands as better sense prevailed.

Sir Chhotu ram : Liberator, Reformer, Cultural Icon

2008-07-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

The chronicle begins with a childhood incident: Little Chhoturam's father went to ask a moneylender for some loan to fund Chhotu's education, The sahukar insultingly asked him to pull the 'punkah' for him while he considered the matter. Chhoturam flared up and gave this rude adult a lesson in social etiquette. This episode in the long run lead to the implementation of twin debt relief Acts that liberated the farmer from the clutches of the moneylenders. He also established the Peasant Welfare fund whereby many poor rural kids were able to complete their education and go on to win laurels( Pakistan's Nobel Laureate Dr Abdus Salam is one of them).

Sir Chotturam's movement against mercenaries, in which old Bahikhatas( account books) were burnt, became so widespread that it rivalled the Swadeshi Andolan of Gandhi ji. He became the liberator, Deen Bandhu, and saviour of the entire peasant community when he got an act passed whereby the auctioning off of the peasants' property was banned.

Jinnah met more than his match in Sir Chotturam. Let me tell you how Sir Chottu taught Jinnah his table manners:Sir Halley, governor Punjab, invited the two doyens to dinner in order to resolve their differences. Both the guests sat facing eachother but Jinnah tilted his chair at an angle and arrogantly looked away. Sir chotturam understood the affront and took a 180 degree turn with his own chair. Sir Halley wanted the meaning of the gesture to be made clear. " I was just telling Jinnah that in an ego-clash a Baruah cannot overeach a Jat." Although Sir Chotturam was proud of his community and origins he was never sectarian or mere regionalist. This is the reason he is revered more in Pakistan today than in the heart of Jatland in India.Former President Pakistan Mr Tarar remembered him in his oath- taking ceremony. Let us revisit colonial Punjab: A communal section of Muslims in Punjab dubbed Jinnah Kaid-e-azam sending fanatic message across the region. Immediately, a counter ceremony was instituted in which the secular people of Punjab( with a majoirity of muslims) gave Sir Chhoturam the title Rehbar-e Azam, the true companion. A message was sent to Jinnah: " Leave Punjab" and Jinnah complied. His name spelled communal harmony and everybody knew how a great friend of Allama Iqbal was also a scholar of Bhagvad Gita. A great leader like Sardar Patel got the shock of his life when he realized that the people who had gathered to listen to him , slowly gravitated towards Sir Chotturam's stands leaving his side empty. That day, Sardar took from Sir Chhotu a lesson in popularity. Sir Chhotu had always criticised Congress for its urban manifesto - for its passivity with regards to the peasants, for its refusal to bring about sweeping legal changes that were required to benefit the farmer- he found it leaning towards capitalism in practice. He also failed to understand the soft stance of the Congress towards fundamentalist elements. He made the English newspaper Hindustan and the Urdu Jat Gazette, the voice of the downtrodden.

Sir Chotturam: A Liberator; A Reformer; A Cultural Icon

2008-07-03T10:24:00.000-07:00

Mein akela hi challa tha
Janibe manzil magar
Log sath ate gaye
Karvan banta gaya

Lonely I embarked on the journey towards the destination
People kept joining and the caravan kept growing!

Sir Chotturam was born to be at the spearhead of his times. He ushered in an Agricultural Renaissance in pre-partition punjab in the penultimate years of the Indian independence.
He blended intellectual fervour with a cult of physical health to evoke pride in the agriculturist.
When peasants in vidarbha and marathwada are dying and prosperous haryanavi farmers are selling of land it is time to remember him. Politicians in Maharashtra have been speaking against North Indians, against Hindi, against Muslims, against Sikhs but they have forgotten all about their own people- they have not spoken for anything but sectarian interests that are streamlined to serve their vested interests in the end. It is difficult to make policies that help farmers in an overtly capitalist world and the easiest thing is to incite communal violence in urban slums and this is what they bank upon. In Haryana the builders have easily bought the land from the farmers who find agriculture the most unprofitable of businesses. They would rather get rid of land for a handsome price. The uneducated rural youth not knowing a better use of money squanders it and heads towars an insecure and uncertain future plausibly entering the roll-call of anti-social elements.It is time Vidarbha had a Chotturam of its own and Haryana remembered its long forgotten son.