Mohan Singh Tur Never Accepted Even One Rupee as Salary While Serving as Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Jagat Singh, Father of Mohan Singh Tur, Had Led the Historic Jaito Morcha In Sikh history and Punjab politics, the Shiromani Akali Dal is known as an organisation of courageous fighters, self-sacrificing volunteers, proud warriors, and leaders devoted to the Panth. Among the great personalities who nourished this organisation with their blood and sacrifices, the name of Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur is remembered with immense respect and pride.
Jathedar Tur was a saintly politician, a man whose words and actions were one, a leader without malice and completely dedicated to the Panth. He truly lived by the noble principle: “Panth vase, main ujjaran; mann chao ghanera” May the Panth flourish, even if I am ruined; this alone fills my heart with joy. History offers very few examples of someone who refused to accept even a single rupee as salary while serving as Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and who remained firm like a rock for the honour of the community even after his house was demolished and his possessions and cattle were auctioned.
Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur was born in 1915 in village Tur, in present-day Tarn Taran district, to Mata Pal Kaur and Jathedar Jagat Singh Numberdar. He inherited the spirit of sacrificing everything for the Sikh Panth from within his own home. His father, Jathedar Jagat Singh, had led the historic Jaito Morcha. While confronting the challenges of British rule, he was shot, but emerged victorious in the service of the country and the Panth. His father’s sacrifice and proud legacy left a deep impression on Mohan Singh and eventually shaped him into a fearless Panthic warrior.
Played a Leading and Active Role in the Punjabi Suba Morcha
Recognising Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur’s deep Panthic commitment at a young age, the Shiromani Akali Dal appointed him Jathedar of the Sarhali circle. He played a leading and highly active role in the Punjabi Suba Morcha.
Alarmed by his steadily growing popularity and influence, the Congress government of the time began targeting him. The government registered not one or two, but 52 false cases against him and sent him to prison. He was subjected to inhuman torture behind bars. He was made to lie on slabs of ice and was brutally tormented, but he did not deviate from his national and Panthic objective.
During this period, while Jathedar Tur was still in prison, the Shiromani Akali Dal fielded him as a candidate in the Assembly elections against the powerful Punjab Chief Minister, Partap Singh Kairon.
Jathedar Tur contested the election from prison. Public enthusiasm was so strong that he had reportedly secured a substantial lead. However, through government pressure and misuse of the state machinery, Partap Singh Kairon was declared the winner by only 34 votes.
Political vendetta did not end even after the election. The government auctioned Jathedar Tur’s house, belongings, and cattle, and even damaged his home. Yet even this enormous material loss could not shake his determination.
When Mohan Singh Tur Became Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Supreme Institution of the Sikhs
The Sikh community, proud of Jathedar Tur’s steadfastness, sacrifice, and dedication to the Panth, appointed him Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the supreme temporal institution of the Sikhs. He upheld the dignity of this sacred office to such a degree that he never accepted any allowance or salary during his tenure. He also remained an active member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and made a major contribution to the management and upkeep of historic Sikh shrines.
Recognising Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur’s selfless service and his ability to bring everyone together, the General House of the Shiromani Akali Dal elected him party president in October 1972. His tenure as president is regarded as a golden period in the history of the Akali Dal. Immediately after assuming office, he united Panthic forces that had been divided into different factions and brought them together under one flag.
The Historic Morcha Against the Emergency and a Sweeping Victory in the 1977 Elections
When Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency in 1975 and suppressed democracy across the country, the Shiromani Akali Dal, under the farsighted leadership of Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur, became the first organisation to launch a historic protest movement. After 19 continuous months of struggle and the arrests of thousands of Akali workers, the Central Government was eventually forced to relent and lift the Emergency.
After the Emergency ended, the Akali Dal achieved major success in the 1977 elections. The Akali Dal and its allied parties won all the Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. Jathedar Tur himself defeated senior Congress leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Gurdial Singh Dhillon from the Tarn Taran constituency and entered Parliament as a Lok Sabha member.
In the Punjab Assembly elections, the Akali Dal won 58 seats, secured a clear majority, and formed an Akali-led coalition government in the state. This was a period of complete ascendancy for the Shiromani Akali Dal, and much of the credit went to Jathedar Tur’s honesty, sacrifice, and political wisdom. However, after the party’s major victory, internal factionalism and rivalry over the presidency began increasing among political leaders. At that moment, Jathedar Tur set an extraordinary example by giving up political office. He voluntarily handed over the presidency to Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi.
While resigning, he spoke these historic words: “I cannot watch the plant I nurtured with my own hands being destroyed. Whoever wants the presidency may take it, but the Shiromani Akali Dal must not be divided into two.” These words proved that, for him, the honour of the party, the Panth, and the community was far greater than any personal position. On 30 July 1979, this great servant of the community departed from the mortal world. However, he left behind a torch of Panthic commitment whose light continued to guide his family in serving the community.
Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur was a deeply religious, self-sacrificing, and farsighted leader who never treated politics as a business. Instead, he regarded it as a means of public service and the advancement of the Panth. Today, when Punjab is facing political, economic, and social challenges, and Panthic forces remain fragmented, the absence of selfless leaders like Jathedar Tur is deeply felt. The truest tribute to him on his death anniversary would be for the entire Panth to rise above personal ambitions and unite under one flag, so that a lasting solution may be found to Punjab’s suffering and a brighter future may be created for the community.
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