Chhotu Ram’s political career was defined by his commitment to the agrarian community and his pragmatic approach to navigating the complexities of colonial politics. His entry into politics began in 1916 when he joined the
Indian National Congress, serving as the president of the Rohtak District Congress from 1917 to 1920. However, his tenure with the Congress was short-lived, because he perceived that
Mahatma Gandhi neglected the issues of farmers during
Non-cooperation movement. In 1920, Chhotu Ram co-founded the Zamindaran Party, which later became the
Unionist Party alongside
Fazl-i-Hussain and
Sikandar Hayat Khan. Unionist Party was a cross-communal political organisation that sought to represent the interests of Punjab’s agrarian communities, and had the support of
Hindus,
Muslim Jats, and
Sikh Jats. The party’s ideology was rooted in agrarianism, advocating for policies that protected farmers from exploitative moneylenders, ensured fair land revenue systems, and promoted rural development. In the 1937 provincial elections in
Punjab, his
Unionist party emerged victorious and Chhotu Ram became revenue minister on 1 April 1937, and held this position till his death in January 1945. Chhotu Ram was the driving force behind the
Bhakra Dam project, a vision to transform the
Sutlej River into a lifeline for farmers through irrigation and power. He signed an agreement with the Raja of
Bilaspur in November 1944, finalised on 8 January 1945 and due to this reason he was regarded as father of
Bakhra Dam. . He signed agreement with the Raja of
Bilaspur in 1944 Chhotu Ram’s political views were shaped by his belief that the economic empowerment of farmers was essential for India’s progress. He argued that the
british colonial system disproportionately burdened small farmers, who were trapped in cycles of debt and poverty. His advocacy for agrarian reforms was revolutionary for its time, as it challenged the entrenched power of moneylenders and urban elites. He also emphasised inter-community harmony, recognising that Punjab’s diverse population—comprising
Hindus,
Muslims, and
Sikhs.''
The Muslim Jats fondly called him Rehbar-i-Azam
, while Hindus called him Deenbandhu,'' due to his advocacy for farmers. Chhotu Ram played an important role in agricultural reforms in India during the 1930s. He introduced the concept of compensating farmers for their farming expenses, which later developed into the ‘
Minimum Support Price’ system. He was involved in enacting nine laws aimed at improving the financial and social conditions of farmers. Notable legislation included the
Punjab Relief of Indebtedness Act, 1934, and the
Punjab Debtors’ Protection Act, 1936. These laws introduced measures such as
debt settlement boards, interest rate limits, and protections for tillers. As a member of the
Punjab Legislative Council, Chhotu Ram held various portfolios, including agriculture and revenue, during the 1930s and 1940s. His significant legislative contributions included:
Punjab Land Alienation Act (1900): While Chhotu Ram did not draft this act, he was a staunch supporter of its principles, which restricted the transfer of agricultural land to non-agriculturists, protecting farmers from losing land to moneylenders.
Punjab Restitution of Mortgaged Lands Act (1938): This legislation, championed by Chhotu Ram, allowed farmers to reclaim lands lost to moneylenders by repaying only the principal amount of their loans, without exorbitant interest.
Mandi Samiti Act (1940): This act established regulated markets (mandis) to ensure fair prices for farmers’ produce, reducing exploitation by middlemen. His commitment to
secularism and inter-community cooperation was evident in his leadership of the
Unionist Party, which balanced the interests of Punjab’s diverse communities. However, the rise of communal politics in the 1940s, fuelled by the
Muslim League and the demand for Pakistan, challenged the Unionist Party’s cross-communal model, contributing to its decline after Chhotu Ram’s death. == Writing career ==