Remembering the Revolutionary: Bhagat Singh

Remembering the Revolutionary: Bhagat Singh

“I will climb the gallows gladly and show to the world as to how bravely the revolutionaries can sacrifice themselves for the cause.”

In the early 20th century, when the fight for Independence was at its peak. Many political leaders became the voice of the masses and led the struggle for freedom. While leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru fought with peace and non-violence, the revolutionaries gave their sweat and blood. One such revolutionary was Sardar Bhagat Singh. Sacrificing his life at the age of 23, he became an idol for many. 

He was born in 1907.

“My life has been dedicated to the noblest cause, that of the freedom of the country. Therefore, there is no rest or worldly desire that can lure me now.”   

-in a letter to his family, he wrote. 

In 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai died due to fatal injuries during the lathi charge on a crowd protesting the Simon Commission. This proved to be the turning point in Bhagat Singh’s life. He, along with other revolutionaries, murdered a police officer J.P.Saunders to avenge Lala Lajpat Rai’s death. 

In the time that followed, Bhagat Singh continuously worked on inspiring other youngsters. He along with Batukeshwat Dutt threw bombs inside the Legislative Assembly and got arrested delibirately. Though they believed that force, if applied aggressively, was morally unjustifiable, but when it is used for a legitimate cause, it has its moral justification. 

“If the deaf are to hear, then the sound has to be very loud.”

When under trial, they also went on hunger strikes in the jails they were held in, demanding better facilities for political prisoners.

Bhagat Singh was an Athiest. He was a very well-read man and this was something he had decided after researching and reading various religious texts.

The arguments that he put forth forced his listeners to ponder over their thoughts on religion. He believed- 

“Any man who stands for progress has to criticize, disbelieve, and challenge every item of the old faith.”

Bhagat Singh became a role model for many. His political ideologies continue to influence millions to this date. However, one very important message he gave to the youth, that today’s youth should also take inspiration from, was to ‘Study’. Bhagat Singh understood the importance of literacy. He was always reading books. “Study..”, he said, “.. to enable yourself to face the arguments advanced by the opposition. Study to arm yourself with arguments in favor of your cult!”

When Bhagat Singh along with Rajguru and Sukhdev was sentenced to death, he wrote a letter of petition to the then Punjab Governor. In that petition, he listed the charges on which they were sentenced to death and demanded them not be hanged, instead be shot dead. 

“Don’t Hang us, Shoot us!” 

Such was the bravery and commitment of Bhagat Singh.

This 28th of September, on his 113th Birth Anniversary, let us remember this phenomenal revolutionary and his great contribution to our freedom struggle. 

                   Inquilab Zindabad!