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Sant Singh Tegh

(1909 – 2007) – (Jammu & Kashmir)

Sardar Sant Singh Tegh (Aged 98) an Indian Freedom Fighter of Jammu and Kashmir state, was born on April 13, 1909, at village Hattian Duppatta, Muzaffarabad. He passed his matriculation examination and achieved a good command over several languages. At the age of 10, he was an eyewitness to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. He immediately joined the freedom movement after passing his matriculation from Muzaffarabad and became a staunch critic of British rule. He started his political career at the age of 20.

Sardar Sant Singh Tegh was brought up in an environment suffused with socio-political consciousness since childhood, which conditioned and molded him. The proximity of Muzaffarabad to western Punjab kept him well aware of the political events and revolutionary movements organized in the wake of India’s struggle for independence. He was greatly influenced by the ideology of leading revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and his Naujawan Bharat Sabha.

Sardar Sant Singh Tegh was deeply agonized to hear about the death sentence of Sardar Bhagat Singh and his colleagues. He mobilized the youth of his area and organized a protest against this unjustified act of the British Government. His fiery speeches against the high-handedness of the imperialist authorities and the indigenous establishments made him the target of their wrath. Arrest warrants were issued in his name, and he was frequently sent to jail. In order to avoid arrests and detentions, he would often go into hiding or remain underground.

In 1933, he was elected President of Kisan Sabha and President of the local gurdwara in 1934. He joined the National Conference and became a member of its General Council from 1938 to 1950. In 1950, he became the first President of the State Akali Dal and continued till 1957. In 1945, he was elected General Secretary of Gurdwara Chatti Patshahi, Kathi Darwaja, Rainwari, Srinagar.

Before 1947, he started a crusade against the hereditary mahants (managers) of the gurdwaras. The mahants tried to have him killed but failed. The credit for bringing an end to centuries-old hegemony of the mahants goes to Tegh and his associates. Among Sikhs, he was known as Sher-i-Kashmir. As a social worker, Tegh’s work is no less remarkable. He worked hard for the settlement of refugees after 1947. He was a bold, courageous man of sacrifice. Hindus and Muslims loved him, and the Sikhs of the State depended on him. He was repeatedly jailed before and after 1947. Before that, he was active in several organizations like Kissan Committee, Motor Union, and local Gurdwara Sahib at Muzaffarabad.

Sardar Sant Singh Tegh was an epitome of bravery who voluntarily rendered his services for the protection of his motherland. It was because of his supreme struggle, endurance, and unparalleled leadership qualities that he was popularly known as Sher-i-Pahar (Lion of Hills). The journey of his life is a saga of ceaseless and selfless struggle for the welfare, development, and progress of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He breathed his last on September 17, 2007. To commemorate the great sacrifices made by Sardar Sant Singh Tegh during the freedom struggle, a library was inaugurated recently in May 2022 at Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Nanak Nagar, Jammu.