⭐ Book Summary: “Nehru Had Offered Khalistan to Akali Leader Tara Singh” – Baldev Singh

Author: Baldev Singh
Subject: The political history surrounding India’s partition, Sikh demands, Congress leadership’s promises, and the controversial claim that Jawaharlal Nehru once privately offered an independent Sikh state (Khalistan) to Master Tara Singh.

This book is based on historical documents, political memoirs, assembly debates, and statements from the 1940s–60s.

🔶 1. Purpose of the Book

The author examines:

• What Sikh political aspirations were during Partition

• What Congress leaders (especially Nehru) promised to the Sikhs

• Why Master Tara Singh rejected certain proposals

• Whether the offer of “Khalistan” was real or political manoeuvring

• How these events shaped later Sikh grievances and demands

The book challenges the mainstream narrative taught in Indian history.

🔶 2. Background: Sikh Position Before 1947

Before Partition:

• Sikhs demanded a federal structure with strong state powers

• They feared domination by Hindu-majority India

• They also rejected Jinnah’s proposal of joining Pakistan

• Congress leaders courted Sikh support to strengthen the nationalist movement

Baldev Singh explains that Sikhs were “used” politically but not given real guarantees.

🔶 3. The Key Claim — Nehru’s Offer to Tara Singh

The book focuses on the controversial point:

Jawaharlal Nehru reportedly told Master Tara Singh:

“If Sikhs want a separate state, the Congress will have no objection.”

According to the author, this “offer” was made:

• In private conversations

• To secure Sikh support against the Muslim League

• When Congress needed Sikh votes during constitutional negotiations

Baldev Singh argues that Nehru’s statement was not a formal proposal, but an informal political promise that held deep implications.

🔶 4. Why Master Tara Singh Did Not Accept the Offer

According to the book, Tara Singh refused because:

1. He trusted Congress assurances

2. He believed Sikhs would get full cultural, linguistic, and political autonomy within India

3. The term “Khalistan” was not fully defined

4. Sikh leadership was internally divided

5. They lacked geographic contiguity for a stable independent state

Baldev Singh critiques Tara Singh’s trust in Nehru, calling it a historic miscalculation.

🔶 5. After Independence — Broken Promises

The book argues:

• Congress did not honour its assurances to Sikhs

• Punjabi Suba movement was resisted for 15 years

• Sikh political demands were labelled “separatist”

• The Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973) was demonised

• Sikh fears of centralisation became reality

Baldev Singh claims that the gap between promises and actions created the long-term Sikh political distrust toward Delhi.

🔶 6. Evidence Presented in the Book

The author cites:

• Statements from Congress leaders

• Correspondence between Nehru and Sikh leaders

• British records

• Contemporary newspaper reports

• Autobiographical references from Sikh politicians

He argues that Nehru’s “offer” was politically motivated, not constitutional.

🔶 7. Larger Theme — “Missed Opportunity or Political Trap?”

The book raises deeper questions:

• Was Nehru sincere or only playing political chess?

• Did Sikh leaders fail to negotiate strongly?

• Would accepting Khalistan in 1947 have prevented future Sikh grievances?

• How did this broken promise affect 1980s Sikh activism?

Baldev Singh suggests it was:

“A lost chance for the Sikhs and a strategic move by Nehru.”

⭐ Short Summary (One Paragraph)

Baldev Singh’s book argues that Jawaharlal Nehru informally offered an independent Sikh state (“Khalistan”) to Master Tara Singh before 1947 to gain Sikh support against the Muslim League. Tara Singh declined the offer, trusting Congress promises of autonomy within India. After independence, those promises were not honoured, leading to decades of Sikh political disillusionment. The book portrays the episode as a mix of political opportunism, misplaced trust, and a turning point in Sikh–Centre relations.