REMEMBERING PRITAM SINGH KUMEDAN (05.01.1922–18.08.2022): RELENTLESS WARRIOR FOR PUNJAB’S WATER RIGHTS
(His Bhog and Antim Ardas will be at Sector 8 Gurudawara Sahib, Chandigarh from 12:00 noon to 13:30 pm on Saturday, August 27, 2022)
“I know what Haryana should do. Even if they hang me upside down and pour hot boiling oil on me, I will not divulge any argument to Haryana walas, because the river waters are of Punjab. I will die but will never become a lawyer for Haryana.” This was Pritam Singh Kumedan’s emphatic reply when correspondent S P Singh asked him what he would do if he were Haryana’s lawyer, shortly before The Punjab Termination of River Water Agreement Act was passed by the Punjab Assembly in 2004 (Punjab Times August 27, 2022). This was the steadfastness, courage, and conviction of Kumedan for protecting Punjab’s water rights. He was an encyclopedia of Punjab’s waters, claim over Chandigarh, water flowing into Rajasthan, relations of Patiala royals with English rulers, census controversies in Punjab and India, and the complex web of statistics, events, personalities and behind-the-scenes maneuvers. People listened with pin drop silence when Kumedan spoke at various forums. His columns in the newspapers and TV discussions were widely read/watched, shared and appreciated.
Centenarian Sardar Pritam Singh Kumedan, P.C.S. (Retd.), left for his heavenly abode on 18th August 2022 at Mohali after a brief illness. His 100th birthday was celebrated on 5th January 2022.
Erudite and meticulous, Kumedan was endowed with a sharp legal mind and a photographic memory. In recognition of his expertise in riparian and other inter-state matters, he was proactively involved in the work relating to River Water Dispute, Satluj Yamuna Link Canal Dispute, and Chandigarh Dispute for the last 50 years. He was a vital cog in all the Committees set up by the Punjab Government for pursuing Punjab’s case in these disputes.
When the Punjab Reorganisation Commission was set up by the Central Government in April 1966, Kumedan was posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate of two Sub-Divisions — Ropar and Nalagarh. Behind the scenes, he played an important role in the merger of Anandpur Sahib and Nurpur Bedi Blocks of Una Tehsil (which is now in Himachal Pradesh), and Kharar Tehsil (then part of Ambala District, which is now in Haryana) in Punjab. Together with Giani Kartar Singh and Shiv Singh Bela, his efforts ensured that the holy Takhat of Kesgarh Sahib remained in Punjab, and the State did not lose contiguity with Chandigarh.
One of his brilliant Patto Hira Singh High School classmates was late Jaswant Singh Bhullar. He was the first school student to rise to the rank of a Major General in the Indian army. They made strenuous efforts to avert a confrontation between the followers of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and the Indian army. In a last ditch effort, about 10 days before the unfortunate Operation Blue Star in 1984, Kumedan and General Bhullar first met with General Shabeg Singh and then Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale to present an amicable solution to the vexing problem. Unfortunately for the Sikh Community, Punjab and India, their efforts did not succeed.
Participating in a TV News-18 discussion after the announcement of “Referendum 2020” for an independent Khalistan by ‘Sikhs for Justice’ in August 2018 in London, Kumedan candidly asked the proponents of Khalistan to clarify several issues which will adversely impact Khalistan and its people. Assuming the GoI overnight creates Khalistan, closes all modes of communication (roads, railways, telephone, and air space) and declares that India will not have any trade, relation or dialogue with it, will Khalistan not become a land locked country like Nepal whose only access to the world will be through Pakistan? Predominantly Hindi speaking Jallandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nawan Shahar, Pathankot and Fazlika Districts, and Anandpur Sahib and Nangal Tehsils will go to India. Khalistan will get only Ropar and Harike Headworks, all others will go to India. Khalistan will not have any Hydel Power House. No right thinking person can guarantee that division of area, assets, and mass migration of population will not take a violent turn. About 50 lakhs, predominantly well off Sikhs, will return to Khalistan from India leaving behind huge property, assets, and flourishing businesses. A similar number of Hindus, including captains of trade and industry, medium, small, and micro entrepreneurs and traders, office employees, landless labour and persons belonging to Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes will out-migrate from Punjab. Can the protagonists of Khalistan guarantee that the scramble for occupying the properties, industries and businesses left behind by the migrants will not lead to a repeat of the mayhem of 1947? (Punjab Times August 27, 2022).
As a Right To Information Activist, Kumedan collected a wealth of archival and legal data on riparian laws, responsibility of the Central Government in maintaining law and order, and population demographics. He was convinced that legally it was unfair on the part of Government of India to claim the expenses for deployment of central forces during militancy from the Government of Punjab.
An ace athlete during his school days, Kumedan was actively involved in promotion of sports for the last 70 years. He was President or Secretary of Gymnastics, Weight Lifting and Rowing Associations. He was Life President of the Punjab Olympic Association.
Kumedan was born at Village Kassoana, Tehsil Zira, District Ferozepur. After passing Class 8 from the village Vernacular Middle School, he shifted to his Nanke village Raonta. He was admitted in Class 5 at Government High School Patto Hira Singh in 1936. After passing English deficiency courses (as English was not taught in vernacular schools at that time), he was promoted to Class 9 in 1938. He passed matriculation in 1940 securing the coveted First Division. Every day, he led the morning prayers at the School. He walked (10 km to and fro) to the School. At Raonta, he lived and studied at the village Gurudwara under the watchful eyes of Gyani Gurmukh Singh. Every year he sent Rs 10,000 for the Barsi Function of Gyaniji.
Kumedan fondly remembered receiving four prizes from the Englishman (Angrez) Director of Public Instructions at Patto High School premises in December 1939 for not being absent or late for a single day in four years, and for securing third positions in shot put, javelin, and discuss throws in Punjab School Games. Eighty-two years after the event, he had not forgotten warmth of the woollen muffler, one of the four prizes he received.
Kumedan completed B.A. and M.A. (Economics) from the University of the Panjab, Lahore in 1944 and 1946 respectively.
After partition of India, Kumedan’s first job was as an Assistant in Punjab Secretariat at Shimla. In 1957 he was selected in Punjab Civil Service, which then combined the Executive and the Judicial Branches. His first posting was as Magistrate Ambala Cantonment. As CBI Judge his jurisdiction was over the entire erstwhile Punjab State, covering the present Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. He retired as Additional Deputy Commissioner Ropar in 1980.
My last conversation with Kumedan was on 5th January 2022, his 100th birthday. As always, his enthusiasm, perseverance, and conviction for getting Punjab’s share of river waters was very strong. Towards the end of an hour long telecon, Kumedan said “Paul, I have collected all the documents and prepared a rock solid case. If the Punjab Government can hire a top notch constitutional lawyer, we will easily win the case in the Supreme Court.” Sadly, except for lip service Punjab’s political masters did not heed his advice in letter and spirit.
Government Senior Secondary School Patto Hira Singh was looking forward to the participation of Sardar Pritam Singh Kumedan, as the oldest and one of the most accomplished school students, in the Centennial Celebrations planned for 2024. Alas! Destiny had other plans.
In recognition of his distinguished services, Sardar Pritam Singh Kumedan was awarded Parman Patra by the Punjab Government in 2008.
Rest In Peace Sardar Pritam Singh Kumedan! The Punjab and Punjabis will always remain indebted to you.
