PUNJAB state government on February 12, 2021 issued a notification naming the school where Comrade Surjeet studied as: “Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet Senior Secondary School, Bundala”. 

The CPI(M) state committee has welcomed and appreciated this decision of the Punjab government and especially the chief minister , Captain Amarinder Singh.  It may be mentioned here that an announcement to this effect was made on the occasion of 2nd death anniversary of Comrade Surjeet by then deputy chief minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal, while paying tribute to Comrade Surjeet. But due to red-tapism in government offices, it was not implemented. Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, secretary, Punjab state committee, CPI(M) wrote a letter to Captain Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab in this regard on November 9, 2020. The chief minister took immediate action on the issue and thus declared this school on Comrade Surjeet’s name.

Bundala is the native village of Comrade Surjeet, falls in Phillaur tehsil of Jalandhar district.  This school was established at the beginning of the 20th century by Sikh movement (Sikh Lahar) for the spread of education in rural areas. Earlier it was up to 8th class and its name was Khalsa Middle School Bundala. Later on, it was upgraded to Khalsa High School. Comrade Surjeet studied here in the late twenties. It is worth mentioning here that Late Darbara Singh, ex-Chief Minister of Punjab and S Swaran Singh, former central minister were also students of this school during the same period.

Comrade Harnam Singh, father of Comrade Surjeet was also a freedom fighter. Many patriots used to visit his house.  In 1931, prominent Ghadri  Baba(Ghadar movement leader),  Karam Singh Cheema and  Baba  Bhag Singh Canadian, Uppal Bhupa also visited his house. They asked 15-year-old Surjeet to make arrangements for a meeting (jalsa ) in the village. He went to the gurdwara, picked up the big bell and made the announcement for the meeting and arranged table, chairs and carpets. It was an impressive rally. But the next day the police came to the school. Comrade Surjeet was pressurised to seek an apology for arranging a political gathering. But due to strong patriotic zeal, he refused to seek mercy. He was expelled from the school. He had to take admission in Khalsa High School Jalandhar to continue his studies. In 1967 Comrade Surjeet was elected as an MLA and due to his efforts, a non-Congress government was formed in Punjab.  Comrade Surjeet organised a function in the school where education minister,  Lachhman Singh Gill announced that it would be converted into a government school. Hence, all teachers and non-teaching staff were absorbed in the government cadre. When in 1967, the higher secondary system was introduced, this school became Government Higher Secondary School and then under another system, it became Senior Secondary School.

There are many ups and downs in history. Ninety years ago, a student was expelled from a school for not apologising for participating in a revolutionary and patriotic political activity. Now the same school will be known by his name. This school is feeling proud that such a student studied here.