GOPAL SINGH QAUM

S. Gopal Singh Qaumi (1887 – 1975), son of Bhai Hem Singh, was born at Fateh Shah (district Lyallpur, now Faisalabad, Pakistan). He received his school education from Fateh Shah, Kamalia and Lyallpur. When S.G.P.C. was formed in 1920, he was selected as one of the first members. When the S.G.P.C. was banned on October 12, 1923, he was arrested in the first batch. From October 13, 1923 to September 26, 1926, he remained in Lahore Fort Jail. When Simon Commission visited India, he was the president of the Akali Dal. Since then and up to 1934, he participated in all the major movements and events. On June 17, 1933, he was elected as the president of the S.G.P.C. He remained in this office till October 28, 1933. Later, he joined Congress Party. In 1947, Nehru nominated him as the chairman of the committee formed for the rehabilitation of the refugees from the west Punjab. The Congress did not offer him much. Finally, he rejoined the Akali Dal. In 1962, he unsuccessfully contested the Jullundur Cantonment constituency of the Punjab Assembly as an Akali nominee. After this he spent rest of his life in isolation. He died in 1975.

(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)