HARBANS SINGH ATARI

Bhai Harbans Singh Atari (1878 – 24.6.1936) was the son of Bhai Ajit Singh and the grandson of the great Sikh general Bhai Sham Singh Atariwala. In 1903, he joined Chief Khalsa Diwan and became a part of Sikh missionary movement. It was he who suggested Chief Khalsa Diwan to start an orphanage. In 1905, he went to far places to preach Sikh faith. In 1907 he impressed upon Bhai Mehtab Singh Bir to form ‘Khalsa Biradari Karaj Saadhak Dal’ and preach Sikhism among the backward sections of the Punjab. It was he who established first Sikh Missionary College at tarn Taran.

In 1920, the Sikhs launched Gurdwara Reform Movement; and decided to form Shiromani Grdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for the management of the Sikh shrines. This alarmed the British regime as they feared that this will give a chance to the Sikhs to become a united force. So, it (the regime) decided to torpedo the Sikh Committee by appointing a 36 member Committee for the management of the Sikh shrines. As Harbans Singh was a prominent member, he was included in this Committee. However, the Sikhs did not postpone their plan; and a meeting was held on 15th of November. Intelligent leadership of the Sikhs took a very wise step by including the 36 names of the Government’s Committee among the members of the newly elected SGPC.

On November 16, 1920, Sunder Singh Majithia was elected the president of the SGPC and Harbans Singh was elected as vice-president of the S.G.P.C. After one month, Sunder Singh resigned and he was chosen president of the S.G.P.C. He remained in this office up to August 13, 1921.

From 1922 to 1934, he served as the Honorary Secretary of the Chief Khalsa Diwan. From 1934 to 1936 he served as the President of the Diwan. He died in Kashmir in 1936.

(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)