GURMUKH SINGH MUSAFIR

Gurmukh Singh Musafir (15.1.1899 – 18.1.1976), son of Bhai Sujan Singh, was born at village Adhwal (district Campbellpur, Pakistan). He began his career as a teacher at Khalsa High School, Kallar.

After the massacre of the Sikhs at Nanakana Sahib, he joined the Gurdwara Reform Movement (1920-26). He was arrested during the Guru-Ka-Bagh agitation (1922).

For about one year (1930 to 1931), he served as caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib. In 1934, he was appointed as the Secretary of the S.G.P.C. He was arrested again during the Quit India movement (1942).

In 1946, he was elected as a member of the Indian Constituent Assembly. In 1949, he signed the Indian Constitution, which the Akali members (Hukam Singh and Bhupinder Singh Maan) had refused to sign.

He co-operated with the Indian regime in every situation. In 1952, he was awarded with a seat in the Upper House of the Indian parliament. He was the Chief Minister of the Punjab from November 1, 1966 to March 7, 1967. In 1968, he was chosen to the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. He was also a good poet and a short story writer.

He wrote several books, including (short story books:) Vakkhari Dunia, Ahlanei De Bot, Kandhan Bol Paiyan, Satai January, Allah Wale, Sasta Tamasha, Sabh Achchha; (poetry books:) Sabr De Baan, Prem Baan, Musafarian, Kaav Sunehe, Sehaj Seti etc. Musafir had seen very hard days in his life and no body helped him. His close relatives too did not help him or his family. After 1947, he spent the rest of his life very comfortably at Delhi. He was known for his ‘lively’ activities. This aspect of his life made him forget his past.

(Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)