GANGA SINGH (PRINCIPAL)

Principal Ganga Singh (1898 – 25.12.1961), son of Bhai Gurdip Singh, was born at village Jagatpura (tehsil Tarn Taran, district Amritsar). His uncle Bhai Tehal Singh, who was issue-less, adopted him and gave him his name. He passed his Matric examination from Amritsar and later joined Gurmat Parchar Vidyala, at Tarn Taran. After completing his religious education, he began teaching at Gurmat Parchar Vidyala. In 1933, the S.G.P.C. established Shaheed Sikh Missionary College and appointed him as Principal. During this period, he began publication of Amrit, a journal of religious studies. It could not survive more than three years. In 1947, the S.G.P.C. sent him abroad on a missionary tour. He was joined by S. Meharban Singh Dhupia (later, a businessman of Delhi). He spent two years in the U.S.A. There he cut his hair and became an apostate Sikh. Master Tara Singh sent him a message not to return home as an apostate. He, however, returned in clean-shaven form. His mother rebuked him and refused to recognise him as her son. An insulted and rejected Ganga Singh appeared at Akal Takht Sahib, made an apology and got re-initiation. Sometimes later, he was re-appointed as the Principal of the Sikh Missionary College. In 1951-52, he resigned and joined service in Ajit, a newspaper from Jullundur. After one year he re-joined the Sikh Missionary College. In 1955, he courted arrest during the Punjabi Suba Zindabad agitation. Towards the end of 1955, he joined Mata Sundri Gurdwara, at Delhi as a Katha Vachak (one who performs exegesis of Scriptures). He died at Delhi on December 25, 1961.

(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)