Sir Chhotu Ram and Arya Samaj in the Punjab

 

Sir Chhotu Ram and Arya Samaj in the Punjab

*************

During the first world war years Sir Chhotu Ram developed links with Jat and Arya Samajist leaders. Chhotu Ram’s association with manager of Gurukul at Matindu brought him into contact with Swami Shradhanand. Master Nathu Ram was his close ally in Rohtak and he was famous among the Jats as an Arya preacher. He was with Chhotu Ram at the time of the disturbances of 1919. Chhotu Ram constituted a committee of Arya Samajists in Rohtak. His identification with the Arya Samajists made officials to complain that Chhotu Ram undertakes the causes of the Jat Community and the propagation of Arya doctrines together. The All India Congress and the Arya Samaj both were popular movements. Earlier Sir Chhotu Ram had been both, a Congressman and an Arya Samajist. He resigned from the Congress Party in 1920. Although he did not cease to be an Arya Samajist but he withdrew from the official Arya Samaj.