Devi Lal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Devi Lal
Chaudhary Devi Lal on a 2001 stamp of India
6th Deputy Prime Minister of India
In office 2 December 1989 – 21 June 1991
Prime Minister	V. P. Singh Chandra Shekhar
Preceded by	Yashwantrao Chavan
Succeeded by	L. K. Advani
5th Chief Minister of Haryana
In office 17 July 1987 – 2 December 1989
Governor	Muzaffar Husain Burney Hara Anand Barari
Preceded by	Bansi Lal
Succeeded by	Om Prakash Chautala
In office 21 June 1977 – 28 June 1979
Governor	Jaisukh Lal Hathi Harcharan Singh Brar
Preceded by	Banarsi Das Gupta
Succeeded by	Bhajan Lal
Personal details
Born	Devi Dayal Sihag (1915-09-25)25 September 1915 Teja Khera, Punjab, British India (now in Haryana, India)
Died	6 April 2001(2001-04-06) (aged 85) New Delhi, India
Political party	Indian National Lok Dal (1996–2001)
Other political affiliations	Indian National Congress (before 1971) Independent (1971–1977) Janata Party (1977–1987) Janata Dal (1988–1990) Samajwadi Janata Party (1990–1996)

Chaudhary Devi Lal (born Devi Dayal; 25 September 1915 – 6 April 2001) was an important Indian politician. He served as the 6th Deputy Prime Minister of India from 1989 to 1991. During this time, he worked with Prime Ministers V. P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar. People often called him Tau, which means "elder uncle." Devi Lal became well-known as a leader for farmers, especially in the state of Haryana. He was the Chief Minister of Haryana twice, first from 1977 to 1979 and again from 1987 to 1989.

Early Life and Family

Devi Lal was born in a village called Teja Khera in the Sirsa district of what is now Haryana. His parents were Shunga Devi and Lekh Ram Sihag. His family owned a lot of land. Devi Lal went to school until middle school.

When he was 16, in 1928, Devi Lal joined a protest led by Lala Lajpat Rai. He was a student in Moga when he was arrested in 1930. After this, he stopped his studies and joined the movement to free India from British rule. He also learned wrestling. His son, Om Prakash Chautala, later became the Chief Minister of Haryana four times.

Devi Lal's older brother, Sahib Ram Sihag, was also a politician. Sahib Ram became a member of the Indian National Congress in 1938 and 1947. Devi Lal had four sons: Partap Singh, Om Prakash Chautala, Ranjit Singh, and Jagdish Chander.

Fighting for India's Freedom

Devi Lal was a strong supporter of Mahatma Gandhi. He played a big part in India's fight for independence from the British Raj. Both he and his older brother, Sahib Ram, left school to join the freedom movement.

Because of his actions, Devi Lal was sent to jail for one year in 1930. He also took part in another movement in 1932 and was jailed again. In 1938, he was chosen to be a delegate for the All-India Congress Committee. In 1940, his brother Sahib Ram was also arrested for protesting peacefully.

Devi Lal was arrested again in 1942 for joining the Quit India Movement. This movement asked the British to leave India immediately. He was in jail for two years. Even when he was released, he continued to work for India's freedom. He and his brother refused to join other political parties because they were dedicated to the Congress Party and the freedom struggle.

After India Became Independent

After India gained independence, Devi Lal became a popular leader for farmers in the 1950s. He started a movement to help farmers, and he was arrested along with many supporters. Later, the Chief Minister at the time made an agreement, and some laws that helped farmers were changed.

Early Political Career in Punjab

In 1952, Devi Lal was elected as a member of the Punjab Assembly. He became the President of the Punjab Congress in 1956. In 1958, he was elected from Sirsa.

Working for Haryana State

Devi Lal played a key role in creating Haryana as a separate state. In 1971, he left the Congress party. In 1974, he won an election in the Rori area. In 1975, Indira Gandhi declared a period called "the Emergency" in India. During this time, special rules were put in place, and many opposition leaders, including Devi Lal, were jailed for 19 months.

When the Emergency ended in 1977, new elections were held. Devi Lal was elected and became the Chief Minister of Haryana. As Chief Minister, he made many decisions that helped farmers and people living in villages.

National and State Politics (1980s onwards)

Devi Lal continued to be an important political figure. He was a Member of Parliament from 1980 to 1982. He also served in the State Assembly from 1982 to 1987. He started a new political party called Lok Dal. He began a movement called Nyaya Yuddh, which means "battle for justice."

In the 1987 state elections, the group led by Devi Lal won a huge victory, taking 85 out of 90 seats. Devi Lal became the Chief Minister of Haryana for the second time. In the 1989 national elections, he was elected from two different places: Sikar in Rajasthan and Rohtak in Haryana.

He then became the Deputy Prime Minister of India from 1989 to 1991. This is a very high position in the Indian government. In 1998, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha, which is another part of India's Parliament. His son, Om Prakash Chautala, also became the Chief Minister of Haryana later on.

Death and Legacy

Devi Lal was very popular among farmers and people in rural areas. This is why he earned the loving title of 'Tau' (Elder Uncle). Devi Lal passed away on 6 April 2001, at the age of 85. He was cremated at a place called Sangarsh Sthal in New Delhi. This place is on the banks of the Yamuna river.

• Devi Lal at Encyclopædia Britannica