AMAR SINGH AMBALVI: was born in 1917 at village, Raulu Majra, a few miles from Ropar, Punjab.
After early schooling he joined army in 1935, from where he resigned in 1939 and graduated
privately in 1942 and continued his graduate studies on part time basis. With
his M A., LL.B., he was admitted to the law and practiced in the Punjab High Court
for several years. Very early in life, Sardar Amar Singh Ambalvi became very involved
in the Sikh youth movement and the political affairs of the Sikh Panth. Giani
Kartar Singh took liking to this young man and saw in him great potential for leadership.
He offered his political mentorship during his the early days of contemporary Sikh
politics.
Sardar Ambalvi is best known for his work with Sikh youth and Sikh intellegentia through the
institution of the All India Sikh Students Federation. In the early forties, when the Muslim
students had organized Muslim Students' Federation, the Hindu youth were well organized into
Rashtryia Svam Sevak Sangh, the Communists had their Students' Federation and the Congress
was patronizing the Youth Congress, the Sikh students were out of moorings. Most were ignorant
and others were indifferent towards their rich heritage and responsibilities for the future
of their nation in free India. In response to this need, the All India Sikh Students was
organized. Sardar Amar Singh Ambalvi was one of the founding pillars of the AISSF. In early
days he came into fame for a demonstration that he led against apostate (Patit) Maharaja
of Kapurthala. The maharaja was facilitated at a function at the Khalsa College, Amritsar.
The college was the premier educational institution of the Sikhs at that time and the
Maharaja was invited to preside over a commemorative function. The Sikhs took exception
to the honor being given to him. Sardar Amar Singh Ambalvi organized a student
demonstration which he led himself. The Sikh Students marched with black flags and
shouted slogans "Patit Maharaja go back. Arnbalvi was arrested by the British authorities.
The incidence established the name recognition of the Ambalvi and it further solidified
his resolve to organize the Sikh youth to protect their inheritance. Earlier he had
organized the Sikh students along with Sardar Avtar Singh Daler under the banner of a
well knit organization All India Sikh League. This organization could not keep its
tempo and the youth leaders began to look elsewhere. Eventually, a meeting of the Sikh
students' representatives convened in the Law College dormitory to hold discussions on
alternatives. This meeting was attended by Sardar Amar Singh Ambalvi along with Sardars
Sarup Singh, Jawahar Singh, Sardul Singh, Raghbir Singh, Narinder Singh, Kesar Singh,
Dharambir Singh, Inderpal Singh, Agya Singh and Balbir Singh. Inspired from
deliberations of this meeting, a call was issued to the Sikh students under the
heading "Sikh Students Organize. When AISSF was formally established, Sardar Amar
Singh Ambalvi became a member of the first Central Executive Committee and served
in that capacity until his retirement from that organization. He rose to the office
of the Vice President in 1948 and was elected as the President of AISSF at their
Annual Meeting held at Patiala on January 28, 1950. He succeeded Sardar Sarup
Singh who had been re-elected for several times earlier to lead the AISSF.
During his presidentship of the AISSF, Sardar Ambalvi brought the message of the Federation home
by addressing student study circles, meetings and conferences. He has always been a member of
the group of extremists in Akali Organization. Sardar Ambalvi, who was always identified with
the Federation was exceptionally energetic, pushing and daring as well. Sardar Ambalvi was
arrested in 1942, 1943, and 1950 for his work with the community to stand for their political
rights. Besides, AISSF, he was a very active member of the premier organization of the Sikhs,
the Shromani Akali Dal. He served that organization as their General Secretary in 1946, 1947,
1948, and 1949. This was a very crucial period in Sikh history. The fate of the Sikh Nation
was being determined in New Delhi and London by Hindu, Muslim and British leadership. The Sikh
leaders were not up on the consequences of those determinations. Sardar Ambalvi was the main
person who worked behind the doors in negotiating with the political parties, particularly
the Muslim League, for the discussion of a future of the Sikhs after British quit India.
He was leader of the Sikh Youth who served a liaison between Master Tara Singh and Mr.
Jinnah. It was through the efforts of this group that Mr. Jinah had consented to publicly
support the Sikh demand until the time that this understanding was sabotaged by the
stooges of Indian National Congress. Thoughout his life, Sardar Ambalvi has been the
chief exponent of keeping the separate entity of the Sikhs and for the creation of a
place on earth where Sikhs may breath a sigh of freedom. After partition, Sardar Ambalvi
played a very prominent role in getting the famous Anandpur Sahib's resolution unanimously
passed on October 17, 1973.
Sardar Amar Singh Ambalvi left for heavenly abode on July 30, 1995 at the age of 78, only a
month after a sudden death of his son in a car accident. The cause of Ambalvis death was a
sudden heart attack as he remained healthy until the last breath. Sardar Ambalvi died exactly
50 years after the first annual session of the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF)
where he was appointed as its first vice-president.
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