On 1 December 1935, a conflict broke out between Sikhs and Muslims. Because of this, the British government imposed Section 144, and on 2 December it also banned Sikhs from wearing the kirpan (sacred sword). Some Sikh leaders met the Governor of Punjab and requested that the ban be removed, but no solution came through. Therefore, on 30 December, the Shiromani Committee announced that from 1 January, a major protest (morcha) would begin against the kirpan ban. A committee was formed to lead this morcha, consisting of Master Tara Singh, Jathedar Teja Singh, Giani Sher Singh and others. On 1 January, the first group (jatha) was prepared and marched. Then the second jatha was led by Master Tara Singh. Thus, throughout the month until 31 January 1936, jathas continued to go forward. During this period, 1709 arrests were made. Finally, the British government had to bow down. Exactly one month later, on 31 January, Section 144 was removed, and along with it the kirpan ban was lifted. The Sikhs won this morcha with victory. Note: Many people say that the British never interfered in Sikh religious matters — such people should read history. In reality, the British tried several times to weaken and suppress the Sikh religion. The ban on kirpan was not imposed only once — it was imposed multiple times, and every time it was fiercely resisted and removed through Sikh struggle. Sikhs were — and still are — a distinct and sovereign identity… May Guru Kalgidhar bless the Panth always.
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