‘He who loves not his country can love nothing.’ He marched to the gallows in his characteristic undaunted manner. There glowed on his gracious men the sublime pride of dedicating his life to his nation’s cause.
He would not see his beloved motherland smiling as an independent and radiant being but there was a gleam of hope that the sacrifice of his and compatriot’s lives would enlighten and inspire millions of his countrymen to immortalise their humble lives.
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The history of our freedom movement which can be said to cover ninety years from 1851 to 1947 consists of numerous strands. Bhagat Singh was one of those heroes from Punjab who laid down their lives at the altar of India’s freedom.
Even though he led a very short political span, he sacrificed his life for the nation for a high and noble cause, which remained so clear and sacred to him throughout his life.
Image Source: punwadi.com
The nature of his sacrifice prompted even Mahatma Gandhi to admire his bravery P. N. Nehru once asked—”what is the reason that this boy has become so popular all of a sudden”?
The reason was found in the speech delivered by Subhash Chandra Bose in March 1931 in Delhi. When he said—”Bhagat singh, consequently, represented the popular upsurge of his time, wherein lies the historic role played by him in the political history of India.”
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The revolutionary career of Bhagat Singh serves as the lasting beacon to the citizens of India. He was a young man of extraordinary vision and energy. He stirred the soul of slave India and challenged the might of the then world’s greatest imperialist power.
The striking sacrifice which he made for the liberation of his motherland had a galvanizing effect on the minds of the contemporary youth.
Bhagat Singh was born in a family of patriotic and revolutionary traditions. He inherited the revolutionary spirit of his family, and trained himself sedulously and vigilantly to a life of supreme courage and sacrifice.
He was impressed by Shaheed Kartar Singh heroism and sacrifice and he used to sing the couplet favourite with Kartar Singh.
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Seva desh ki Jindarya Bari aukhi Gallan Karnian dher sukalian ne; Jinhan desh seva vich paer paya Unhan lakh musibataan jhallian ne (very difficult it is to serve the country and easy indeed just to keep talking. Those who march on the path of serving the country had to face difficulties innumerable.
He did not ever think about his personal life and was fully devoted to his motherland. When people pressed upon him the necessity of marriage, he rejected the proposal and answered that if his marriage took place in the slave India, his bride would only be death.
The barat would take the form of funeral and the baratis would take the form of martyrs of the country. For avoiding marriage, he even left his studies in between.
Bhagat Singh’s political guru was Vidyashankar, who was lecturer at National College Lahore. In March 1926 Bhagat Singh and his friends founded association known as Nayawan Bharat Sabha for social welfare. But soon the Sabha adopted political aims and social objects became only a source for the dissemination of revolutionary ideas.
In July 1928, this Sabha was strengthened and modeled in to socialistic principles. It was renamed as Hindustan Socialist Republican Association which comprised of sixty revolutionaries including five women. On October 30, 1928, in the demonstration of protest against the arrival of the Simon commission, Lala Lajpat Ray died in the lathi charge by police.
Lajpat Ray’s death and the brutality shown on the peaceful demonstrators influenced the whole India. Bhagat Singh and his comrades felt that it was an insult which should not go un avenged.
They adopted, the slogan “Blood for Blood”, To avenge Lalajis death, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Jai Gopal and Chandra Shekhar Azad, on 17th December 1928, murdered Sanders A.S.R and escaped from police tactfully.
On 8th April 1929 Bhagat Singh and Batukeshewhar Dutt threw two bombs in the assembly hall- the day of introduction of the Public Safety Bill and the trade Bill and raised the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’.
They did not run away and surrendered themselves to the police then, on 7th October, 1930, the death sentences were pronounced by the special Tribunal. On 23rd March, 1931 Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru kissed the hanger’s noose and laid down their lives for motherland.
So, with the tradition of bravery and courage Bhagat Singh, by the supreme act of sacrifice became the symbol of the spirit of revolt that swept the younger generation in India at that time. His story has become a legend and his name has become synonymous with patriotism and sacrifice for freedom.
Free India owes a deep debt of gratitude to him and can never forget the saga of his heroic deeds. Rising gloom gripped his generation; he carved out the path of glory and honour for generation to come.
Shaheedion ki chitaon par lagenga har Baras meley, Watan pay merne walon ka yahi baki nishan hoga Fairs will be held annually on the pyres of martyrs.
It will be reflecting tribute to those who lay down their lives for the country.