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Sohan Lal

Village: Aulakh

City: Jalandhar

Sohan Lal, Bhai, son of Lachman Das, of Aulakh, P. S. Nakodar, District Jullundur. Was formerly a teacher in the Government School at Nakodar and went to America in 1907 and settled in Vancouver. Made himself conspicuous in connection with the agitation at that place. Became Secretary of the United India League at Vancouver. Spoke at a meeting held at the Sikh Temple, Vancouver on the 10th of January 1914. Was a member of the Shore Committee. Along with Raja Singh (a deceased member of the Ghadr Party) of Barian Kalan, district Hoshiarpur and Balwant Singh (hanged in the 2nd Supplementary Case) of village Khurdpur, district Jullundur advised the passengers of the "Komagata Maru" to return to India and raise the flag of rebellion. Attended a meeting of the United India League at which very inflammatory speeches were made in connection with the "Komagata Maru" affair. Was one of the persons wounded by Bela Singh at the affray in the Sikh Temple at Vancouver in October 1914, and admitted, in giving his evidence at the trial of Bela Singh, that he had a secret meeting with Balwant Singh on the Canada U. S. A. boundary in connection with the "Komagata Maru" affair. In an intercepted letter from the San Francisco to Sohan Lal Pathak (hanged) of village Palti district Lahore in Siam, mention was made of efforts to induce Sohan Lal to go to China in the interests of the Ghadr Party. Was a friend of Bhagwan Singh Granthi (formerly prominent leader of the Ghadr Party), of village Viring, district Amritsar. Used to send copies of the "Ghadr" to India. Was charged with conspiracy to murder the late Mr. Hopkinson and a Malcolm R. J. Reid, but was acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence. In August 1920 was elected a member of the Committee appointed to collect and administer funds for the relief of the families of Bhag Singh (killed in the Vancouver Gurdwara), and Balwant Singh of Khurdpur (executed in the Second Supplementary Case). Took a leading part in the meeting held to honor the memory of Tilak, when funds were collected and sent to the Indian National Congress was Assistant Secretary of the Canadian American Press Society of the Doaba from 1922-1927. Took a prominent part in Guru Gobind Singh's birthday celebrations from 29th December 1921 to 5th January 1922. Made a very seditious speech at a meeting of the United India Home Rule League, on the occasion of the visit of Rt. Honble Sastri to Canada to investigate the grievances of his countrymen there. Made a violent anti-British speech in July 1924 on the occasion of the departure of the Canadian Shahidi Jatha from Victoria, B. C. Was one of the signatories to a petition presented to Lord Willingdon in April 1927 claiming full rights of citizenship to Indians in Canada. Was elected President of the Canadian American Press Society of the Doaba in 1928. Delivered a very seditious speech at a meeting of the Khalsa Diwan in Vancouver on 28th July 1928 in which he exhorted his brethren to get ready to fight British Imperialism, and told them that the Ghadr Party was in direct communication with Russia. Towards the end of 1928 was nominated to the Executive of the proposed Canadian branch of the Indian National Congress. Returned from abroad about a few months ago, and is present at his village where he is working as a moneylender. Has not taken part in politics since his return and is reported to be quiet.