Gurdial Singh Dhillon
Encyclopedia
Dr. Gurdial Singh Dhillon (1915–1992) was a Punjabi
politician in the Indian National Congress
party. He was President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (1973–76) and Indian High Commissioner
to Canada
(1980–82).
city in Punjab
. He studied at Khalsa College, Amritsar
and Government College, Lahore before graduating in Law from Punjab University Law College
in Lahore
. He played an active role in the Harse Chhina Mogha Morcha
rebellion in 1947.
(1952–1967), where he was its Deputy Speaker (1952–54) and its Speaker (1954–62). In 1967 he was first elected to the Lok Sabha
, the lower House of the Indian Parliament representing Tarn Taran
parliamentary constituency. He was elected from Firozepur
in 1985.
Dhillon served two terms as Speaker of Lok Sabha
(1969–71
and 1971–75
) and was Minister of Agriculture
in the Indian Government (1986–1988). Regarding his time in Parliament, his biography on the Lok Sabha website expresses the following:
With Kartar Singh, he co-authored a series of eight children's books in the early 1970s entitled 'Stories from Sikh History'.
Having undergone heart bypass surgery
, Dr. Dhillon died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences
, New Delhi
on 23 March 1992 following a heart attack.
Punjabi people
The Punjabi people , ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ), also Panjabi people, are an Indo-Aryan group from South Asia. They are the second largest of the many ethnic groups in South Asia. They originate in the Punjab region, which has been been the location of some of the oldest civilizations in the world including, the...
politician in the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
party. He was President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (1973–76) and Indian High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
(1980–82).
Early life
On 6 August 1915, Gurdial Singh Dhillon was born into a landlord jat family in the Panjwar area, some 20 kilometres west of AmritsarAmritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
city in Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
. He studied at Khalsa College, Amritsar
Khalsa College, Amritsar
Khalsa College is a historic educational institution in the northern Indian city of Amritsar in the state of Punjab, India. Founded in 1892, the sprawling campus is located about eight km outside of the city center on the Amritsar-Lahore highway , adjoining Guru Nanak Dev University campus, to...
and Government College, Lahore before graduating in Law from Punjab University Law College
Punjab University Law College
Punjab University Law College is a constituent college of the University of the Punjab. The college is located in Quaid-e-Azam campus of the University, Near Canal Bank, Lahore...
in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. He played an active role in the Harse Chhina Mogha Morcha
Harse Chhina Mogha Morcha
The Harsha Chhina Mogha Morcha was an agrarian revolt in Harsha Chhina, Punjab, India, that took place 1946-1947. Harsha Chhina is a village near Amritsar. The campaign was launched in 1946, under the leadership of the Communist Party...
rebellion in 1947.
Political career
Dhillon was a member of the Punjab Legislative AssemblyPunjab Legislative Assembly
The Punjab Legislative Assembly or the Punjab Vidhan Sabha is the unicameral legislature of the state of Punjab in northern India. At present, it consists of 117 members, directly elected from 117 single-seat constituencies. The tenure of the legislative assembly is five years, unless sooner...
(1952–1967), where he was its Deputy Speaker (1952–54) and its Speaker (1954–62). In 1967 he was first elected to the Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
, the lower House of the Indian Parliament representing Tarn Taran
Tarn Taran (Lok Sabha constituency)
Tarn Taran is a Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency in Punjab.This constituency is now renamed as Khadoor Sahib effected from 2009.-Members of Parliament:*1952: Sardar Surjit Singh Majithia, Indian National Congress...
parliamentary constituency. He was elected from Firozepur
Firozepur (Lok Sabha constituency)
Firozpur Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Punjab state in northern India.-Assembly segments:...
in 1985.
Dhillon served two terms as Speaker of Lok Sabha
Speaker of Lok Sabha
The Speaker is the presiding officer of the lower house of Parliament of India. His/her role is similar to that of Speakers elsewhere in other countries that use the Westminster system of government....
(1969–71
4th Lok Sabha
List of Members of the 4th Lok Sabha, elected February–March 1967. The Lok Sabha is the lower house in the Parliament of India.-Important members:* Speaker:**N...
and 1971–75
5th Lok Sabha
List of Members of the 5th Lok Sabha, elected February-March 1971. The Lok Sabha is the lower house in the Parliament of India.- Important members :* Speaker:...
) and was Minister of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture (India)
The Ministry of Agriculture, a branch of the Government of India, is the apex body for formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating to agriculture in India. The 3 broad areas of scope for the Ministry are agriculture, food processing and co-operation. The ministry...
in the Indian Government (1986–1988). Regarding his time in Parliament, his biography on the Lok Sabha website expresses the following:
With Kartar Singh, he co-authored a series of eight children's books in the early 1970s entitled 'Stories from Sikh History'.
Having undergone heart bypass surgery
Coronary artery bypass surgery
Coronary artery bypass surgery, also coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and colloquially heart bypass or bypass surgery is a surgical procedure performed to relieve angina and reduce the risk of death from coronary artery disease...
, Dr. Dhillon died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
All India Institute of Medical Sciences is a premier medical college and teaching hospital based in New Delhi, India. The Institute operates autonomously under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ....
, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
on 23 March 1992 following a heart attack.