Choudhary Wadhawa Ram, the first MLA of Fazilka was born on 15 August, 1917 at Mal Village, District Mintgomery (Pakistan). He was a true patriot & freedom fighter. His contribution in the freedom movement would remain etched in our minds. Thanks to his benevolence and loyalty towards the nation, the people of Fazilka elected him when he had been in jail.
After his victory in the election, he was released. Since, Mr. Wadhawa Ram Ji belonged to a poor peasant family, so he intensely felt the pain of deprived and poor common folks of the township. Because of family circumstances, he could not have studied more than just 10th standard. He had been the Patwari (clerk in revenue department) and teacher in his life for some time but his passion for freedom had compelled him to quit the government job.
In his life, he had been arrested several times and sent to prison owing to his involvement in freedom movement. Firstly, in the year of 1939, he was sent to Kasoor jail for nine months on the charges of brewing disturbances organizing “Kisan Morcha” In 1941, again, he was put to detention for one and half year due to his rebellious activities and thrice again he was sent to custody in his own village for two year from 1944 to 1946. Meanwhile, his activities for the sake of country’s freedom had swelled to such extent that the then government announced one lakh award on his arrest. He had been the nuisance to the landlords who played like puppets in the hands of the British.
Then he was arrested on 22 August 1948. After a month and some days, at midnight hour, Mr. Wadhawa Ram Ji dug a tunnel from the jail and fled. After a month, on April 20, 1950 he was again arrested but he had made his place in the heart of people thanks to his struggle for the freedom of India. In 1952 election, he participated in the fray and won the election. On 4 April, 1952, he was absolved from the charges leveled by government by the court and was immediately released from the prison.
He was associated with great leader of India viz. Saifudin Kichlu, Teja Singh Swantatra, Dr. Satyapal and Baba Jawala Singh etc. He died in the year of 29 March, 1989 after prolonged illness. In real, he had been a valiant freedom fighter, patriot and a messiah for the people of Fazilka. In the vicinity of Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Park, a large statue had been erected in his memory.
