Nehru Family and the Sikhs (An Old and Rare Book)

The book is a fascinating and revealing study of the relationship between the Nehru family and the Sikhs and their contribution to the national cause during the freedom struggle and post-independence period.

The book highlights Nehru family's concern for the Sikh community spread over four generations and is a plea for the promotion of secular and composite culture so dearly cherished both by the Nehrus and the Sikhs.

The publication of this book is particularly relevant at the juncture when certain crucial issues about the role of the Sikhs in the larger national context are occupying the minds of the people.

Prof. Harbans Singh is a noted scholar and educationist connected with a number of cultural and educational institutions. In 1976, he was elected Vice-President of the World Congress of Faiths. He was presented Roll of Honour by the Department of Oriental Studies of the Panjab University, Chandigarh. in 1977, for his contribution in the field of literature and education.

In 1978, Prof. Harbans Singh undertook tour of the European countries, United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada and Iran and studied the problems of the Indians settled in those countries.

Prof. Harbans Singh represented India at the United Nations General Assembly as a Member of the Indian Delegation in 1983.

A nationalist by training and temperament, Prof. Singh is known for his voice of caution on various sensitive issues involving his community and country.

The national upsurge of the Sikhs expressed through the Akali Movement for Gurdwara Reforms and the struggle for freedom under the banner of Indian National Congress were simultaneous events. When the British handed over keys of the Golden Temple to Baba Kharak Singh, Gandhiji hailed the event as a 'first victory for India's freedom'. Jawaharlal Nehru, then a youngman of hardly thirty-five years, was impressed with the Sikh struggle and offered himself for arrest along with the Akali Jatha at Jaito in the Nabha state. India's recent history is replete with instances of the Akali-Congress friendship and their joint efforts to liberate the country from foreign rule. In this sphere, the role of the Nehru family is very conspicuous. Special mention can be made of Akali leaders like Baba Kharak Singh, Master Tara Singh, Mangal Singh and Sardul Singh Caveeshar who participated in the meeting of 14th April, 1930, held at Lahore in which various political parties participated. Even at the time of transfer of power, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was in contact with Master Tara Singh.

In commending this scholarly work entitled "Nehru Family and the Sikhs" to all those who are concerned with the moral and material welfare of India, it gives me great pleasure to say a few words about its importance as well as about the eminence of its author, Professor Harbans Singh.

Secularism is one of the ideological pillars of modern India. This concept links different commu nities in the country-Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Parsis-through bonds of loyalty to the nation. It also provides them with the opportu nity to play their part in the social and economic development of the country. The Indian concept of secularism, it may be observed, is different from the concept of secularism as it is understood in Europe and elsewhere. Secularism in India does not involve a denial of our religious heritage. On the contrary, it rests on the belief that all the religions known to mankind seek commendable moral objectives and laudable social goals. Inspired by this belief, secularism in India accords an equality of status to all religions.

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