An unsung freedom fighter from city

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 10

Freedom fighter Bhajan Singh Sohal recalls the lines of his political guru Habib-ur-Rehman: “Main dil ko roa, ya jigar ka roa, mera dono se aashiana hai.”

Sohal was an active participant in the India’s freedom struggle. When asked about the partition of India, he, with moist eyes, said he had realised the true meaning of the words said by Habib-ur-Rehman 70 years ago —“I am friends with both and do not know for whom should I cry.”

“This is the most emotional time of the year for me. Turmoil erupts in my brain and heart as I am stormed by the memories of the pre-independence times,” said Sohal. He had spent four months in jail during the Quit India Movement. Today, he is the only survivor among his three brothers and one sister. Few years ago, his son passed away. He lives with his grandson Amandeep Sohal, who owns a weighing bridge for trucks at Focal Point.

He said during the pre-Independence times, seeing a son in handcuffs was a moment of proud for the family. “When I was arrested by the police, I had asked the policemen to take me to the police station via Girjaghar Chowk (in Chaura Bazar), so that everybody can know that I have been arrested. With the head held high, I walked through the lanes of Chaura Bazar,” he said.

“There was nothing like Hindu-Muslim in our minds. We were all friends and during Partition, the Muslim families known to me took shelter at our home and I helped them reach the camps. Many Muslim families, who migrated here from Pakistan, were also given protection by us. Everything turned into mess all of a sudden, but “wohi hota hai jo manzoore khuda hota hai. Uski raza mein hi hum sab ki raza hai,” he said.

“Sab ke saare sapne poore ho aisa zaroori toh nahin,” he said. Sohal said he would write to PM Modi for his gesture of hailing all freedom fighters of the country. “I liked this gesture of his and will definitely reciprocate,” he smiles. Sohal became the president of the District Congress Committee in 1972 and was also the first president of the Punjab Youth Congress Committee. He was close to Giani Zial Singh and Beant Singh. Sitting on a chair at his home, flipping through an old album with black-and-white pictures, he said while signing off, “These memories are the only treasure for me.”

Forgotton by government, party

The saddest part of Bhajan Sigh Sohal’s story is that he had been forgotten by both the government and his own party. “Earlier, I used to get invitation to Independence Day function celebrated by the administration every year, but the invitation has stopped coming for the past 9-10 years,” he said. “Now there are several factions in the party and amidst the VIP culture, people like us have been washed away from the minds of the party leaders,” he said with a heavy voice.