ACHCHHAR SINGH, JATHEDAR:
Jathedar Achchhar Singh (18.1.1892 – 6.8.1976), son of Bhai Hukam Singh, was born at village Ghanienke (district Lahore, Pakistan). From his early childhood he was interested in the study of the Sikh Scriptures. At the age of 15 he moved to Burma where he joined army. During the first World War (1914-18), his battalion was posted in Iraq. After the war was over he returned to Burma. After the massacre of the Sikhs at Nanakana Sahib on February 20, 1921, he resigned the army and returned to the Punjab. He joined Central Majha Diwan and participated in the Gurdwara reform movement. On February 10, 1924, he was appointed as the caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib. On May 7, 1924, he was arrested for blessing the martyrs bands leaving for Jaito. He spent more than one year in Mianwali jail. In 1926, Jathedar Achchhar Singh joined Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore, as Granthi and served there for about 14 years. In 1940, he joined Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, as a Granthi. In 1955, he was appointed as caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib. When the Indian police attacked Darbar Sahib, on July 4, 1955, he was arrested from the complex but was released on July 6. It was during his tenure that Master Tara Singh, (Bhai) Fateh Singh and the others were punished for breaking vows (November 29, 1961). On October 2, 1962, (Bhai) Channan Singh became the president of the S.G.P.C. This was the beginning of deterioration of the administration of Darbar Sahib and its complex. At this, he (along with Giani Bhupinder Singh, the head priest Darbar Sahib) resigned his office. On November 4, 1962, he was elected the president of the Akali Dal (Master). At the time of the annual session of the Akali Dal held at Karnal, on December 7, 1963, he made passionate appeal for the unity of both the groups of the Akali Dal. He made sincere efforts for unity. When he found that the leaders of both the groups were not serious for unity, her resigned as president of Akali Dal on January 22, 1964. He died in 1976.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)