Gopi Chand Bhargava: Punjab’s First Chief Minister

On the very day India became free, Punjab got its first Chief Minister. He took the oath on 15 August 1947. The province he governed had just been cut in two.

That man was Gopi Chand Bhargava, a doctor who had left his clinic for the freedom struggle. His first job was not policy. It was to feed, house and settle refugees.

1Who was Gopi Chand Bhargava?

Gopi Chand Bhargava was born on 8 March 1889 in Sirsa. In his time Sirsa lay in undivided Punjab. Today it is in Haryana.

He trained as a doctor. In 1912 he earned his M.B.B.S. from Medical College, Lahore. In 1913 he began to practise medicine.

Lala Lajpat Rai’s example drew him into public life. Accounts say he gave up his practice to join the Non-Cooperation Movement. That was a real sacrifice for a settled professional.

• Born 8 March 1889 at Sirsa.
• M.B.B.S. from Medical College, Lahore, 1912.
• Began medical practice in 1913.
• Left medicine for the freedom struggle.
• Read about Lala Lajpat Rai and the Non-Cooperation Movement.

2How did he fight for freedom?

The British first jailed him in January 1922. Accounts say the charge came under the Seditious Meeting Act. The sentence was four months and a fine of 300 rupees.

In 1928 the Simon Commission came to India. No Indian sat on it, and the country protested. Accounts say Bhargava helped lead the protest in Lahore.

On 30 October 1928 police charged the crowd with lathis. Accounts say Bhargava was hurt while shielding Lala Lajpat Rai from the blows. Lajpat Rai died of his injuries weeks later.

He led the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly from 1937 to 1940. During the Quit India Movement he served his longest jail term. Accounts put it at about two and a half years.

• First jailed in January 1922.
• Lathi charge in Lahore on 30 October 1928.
• Opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, 1937 to 1940.
• Longest jail term during Quit India, about two and a half years.
• Read about the Simon Commission and the Quit India Movement.

3How did he become Punjab’s first Chief Minister?

India became free on 15 August 1947. Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan. On that same day Bhargava was sworn in as Punjab’s first Chief Minister.

There was no calm start. Millions of people were crossing the new border in both directions. His government had to give them relief, shelter and work. That was the first big task.

His first term ended on 13 April 1949. Bhim Sen Sachar took over from him. The two leaders belonged to the same party, but they came from rival groups inside it.

• Sworn in on 15 August 1947, Independence Day.
• First task: refugee relief and resettlement.
• First term ended 13 April 1949.
• Followed by Bhim Sen Sachar.

4Why did he serve three terms?

Bhargava came back as Chief Minister on 18 October 1949. He served until 20 June 1951. His third spell was short. He acted as Chief Minister from 21 June to 6 July 1964.

These breaks show how unstable early Punjab politics was. Factions inside the Congress fought each other. Accounts say the quarrels between Bhargava’s and Sachar’s camps led to President’s Rule in 1951.

That was the first use of Article 356 anywhere in India, say these accounts. The article lets the Centre take over a state when its government cannot work.

Punjab itself was later redrawn. The 1966 reorganisation created a smaller Punjab and a new Haryana. Bhargava died on 26 December 1966, the same year.

• Second term: 18 October 1949 to 20 June 1951.
• Third term: acting, June to July 1964.
• President’s Rule in 1951, under Article 356.
• Died 26 December 1966, aged 77.
• Read about the 1966 reorganisation of Punjab.

5Who else in his family served the cause?

His brother, Thakur Das Bhargava, was also a Congress leader. He was a lawyer and a freedom fighter. He sat in the Central Legislative Assembly for Ambala from 1926 to 1930.

Thakur Das founded a society called Vidya Pracharini Sabha. He also founded many schools and colleges. One of them was Fateh Chand College for Women at Hisar.

The two brothers show how freedom workers in Punjab also built schools and public bodies.

• Brother Thakur Das Bhargava, a lawyer and freedom fighter.
• Member for Ambala, 1926 to 1930.
• Founded Fateh Chand College for Women at Hisar.

6What are the exam traps?

Do not mix him up with the leader of the neighbouring state.

• Bhargava led Punjab; Rarewala led PEPSU.
• Three terms, and the third was only acting.
• He took office on 15 August 1947, not on 26 January 1950.
• Do not confuse him with the scientist Pushpa Bhargava.