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Last edited March 9, 2026

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Jagjit Singh
Born
October 5, 1897
Rawalpindi, British India (now in Pakistan)
Other names
J. J. Singh


Occupation
activist
Years active
1926–1959


File:TRUMANLUCECELLER.jpg
Singh, third from right, observing President Harry S. Truman signing the Luce-Celler Act of 1946.

Jagjit Singh, better known as J. J. Singh (October 5, 1897 – 1976), was an Indian-American activist and president of the India League of America.[1][2][3]

Biography

Singh was born in Rawalpindi, British India, on October 5, 1897.[4][5]

From 1926 to 1959, he lived in the United States; he ran a successful textile import business in New York City and lobbied for the passage of the Luce–Celler Act of 1946, which permitted Indians to naturalize in the United States.[6][7]

Personal life

Singh married Malti Saksena, daughter of Ramji Saksena, a diplomat with Indian Consulate.[8] His granddaughter Sabrina Singh has served as the Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary in the United States Department of Defense.

References

  1. Kamala Harris and the 'Other 1 Percent'. The Atlantic(October 7, 2020).
  2. One-Man Lobby. New Yorker(March 17, 1951).
  3. Template:Cite thesis
  4. The Man Who Fought to Bring Indian-American Dreams and Hopes to Life. India Times(September 19, 2020).
  5. JJ Singh: The story of one man's efforts to bring Indian-American dreams and hopes to life. Scroll.in(July 30, 2020).
  6. J. J. Singh and the India League of America, 1945-1959: Pressing at the Margins of the Cold War Consensus. Journal of American Ethnic History({Template:Year).
  7. The "Hindu" in America: Immigration and Naturalization Policies and India, 1917-1946. Pacific Historical Review({Template:Year).
  8. TROTH ANNOUNCED OF MALTI SAKSENA; Daughter of India Ex-Official Here Will Become Bride of Sirdar J.J. Singh. The New York Times(1951-09-20). Retrieved 2024-05-29.

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