Biography of freedom fighter Dr. Thakar Singh Ikolaha presented to Punjab Governor Kataria
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, May 28, 2026 — A biography highlighting the life and contributions of forgotten freedom fighter Dr. Thakar Singh Ikolaha was presented to Punjab Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria at Punjab Lok Bhawan.
The book was presented by Rtn Hassan Singh Mejie, the great-grandson of Dr. Thakar Singh Ikolaha, who briefed the Governor about the remarkable yet lesser-known role played by his ancestor in India’s freedom movement.
Governor Kataria showed keen interest in the historical account and appreciated the effort to bring the legacy of an unsung freedom fighter into public attention.
Dr. Thakar Singh Ikolaha was a physician, revolutionary leader, and statesman who served as the first Secretary General of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and also held the position of President of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
According to the biography, Dr. Thakar Singh was repeatedly arrested by British authorities for his active participation in the struggle for India’s independence. During his exile, his residence in Canton, China, reportedly became a secret meeting point for several prominent revolutionaries and anti-colonial leaders.
The book reveals that noted freedom fighters such as Ras Behari Bose and Raja Mohinder Partap Singh, along with Chinese revolutionaries and philosophers, frequently gathered there to discuss strategies and support the broader Asian anti-colonial movement.
Drawing from rare letters, SGPC records, archives from the Imperial Library in London, newspaper reports, and historical documents, the biography attempts to reconstruct the life of a leader whose contributions remained largely absent from mainstream historical narratives.
The publication traces Dr. Thakar Singh’s journey from being a village doctor to becoming a key political figure involved in both national and international resistance movements.
Speaking about the book, Hassan Singh Mejie said the story represents not only his great-grandfather’s sacrifices but also those of countless unsung heroes who played a crucial role in India’s independence.
“By remembering him, we remember the true cost of freedom and the sacrifices made by those who fought for it,” he said.
The biography also explores themes of sacrifice, faith-driven action, international resistance movements, and the contribution of the Sikh community to India’s freedom struggle.
Hassan Singh Mejie is a businessman with operations in India, Dubai, and the United Kingdom. He is also associated with the Mehar Baba Charitable Trust, a social enterprise working in nearly 200 villages of Punjab’s Fatehgarh district since 1998.