Darshan Singh Canadian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Darshan Singh Canadian
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Darshan A. Sangha
1917 Langeri, Punjab, India |
| Died | September 25, 1986 (aged 68–69) India |
| Cause of death | Assassination |
| Nationality | Indian, Canadian |
| Political party | Communist Party of India Communist Party of Canada |
| Other political affiliations |
Labor-Progressive Party |
| Spouse | Harbans Kaur |
| Occupation | Trade union activist |
Darshan Singh Canadian (born Darshan A. Sangha in 1917 – 25 September 1986) was a brave Sikh leader. He worked hard as a trade union activist and a communist organizer. He helped people in both Canada and India.
Contents
Life in Canada
Darshan Singh Canadian moved to Vancouver, Canada, in 1937. He quickly started working to help other people. He joined the Labor-Progressive Party, which was another name for the Communist Party of Canada at the time.
He was one of the people who started the International Woodworkers of America (IWA). This was a union for workers in the wood industry. He helped organize workers and was the union's general secretary from 1942 to 1946.
In 1946, he led woodworkers on a march to Victoria. This was to protest for better rights and pay. He fought especially for the rights of East Indian woodworkers in British Columbia.
Return to India
After India became independent in 1947, Darshan Singh Canadian returned home. He then started using "Canadian" as part of his name.
He became an important leader in the Communist Party of India. He was the party secretary in Punjab. Darshan Singh Canadian was a very good speaker. He gave many speeches and led large meetings. He also worked as the secretary of the Punjab Kisan Sabha, which was a group for farmers.
He strongly believed in unity for all people in India. He spoke out against groups who wanted to create a separate state called Khalistan. These groups were called Khalistani separatists. Darshan Singh Canadian wrote articles and gave speeches to promote peace and unity.
He was elected to the Punjab State Legislature three times. He represented the area of Garhshanker, in the Hoshiarpur district.
Darshan Singh married Harbans. Her father, Baba Lal Singh, was a veteran of the Ghadar movement, which fought for India's independence. Darshan Singh and Harbans had two daughters. One settled in Britain and the other in Canada.
His Death
On September 25, 1986, Darshan Singh Canadian was killed by Sikh militants. He was targeted because of his strong views against the idea of a separate state and his efforts for unity.
The day after his death, a very large march was held. People walked from his village, Langeri, to Mahilapur. They shouted slogans like "Long Live Darshan Singh Canadian" and "Canadian was a martyr to peace and unity." Many people, including thousands of young Sikhs, joined the rally. They spoke out against those who had killed him.
His body was cremated after many leaders paid their respects to him.
See also
- Achhar Singh Chhina
- Baldev Singh Mann
- Deepak Dhawan
- Gursharan Singh (theatre director)
- Jaimal Singh Padda
- Nidhan Singh Gudhan
- Pash
- Teja Singh Swatantar
- Punjab insurgency
