The recent controversy surrounding the renovated Jallianwala Bagh memorial has brought attention to the statue of Shaheed Udham Singh, a significant figure in Indian history. Born in 1899 in Sunam in Punjab’s Sangrur district, he is hailed as a ‘Great Martyr’ in the Indian Freedom Struggle. Despite his critical role in India’s fight for freedom, many question his relevance in the memorial.
About Shaheed Udham Singh
Shaheed Udham Singh, also known as Shaheed-i-Azam Sardar Udham Singh, emerged as a prominent revolutionary in the wake of the Jallianwala Massacre on 13th April 1919. Profoundly influenced by fellow revolutionary Bhagat Singh, he plunged into political activism and revolutionary activities.
In 1924, Udham Singh joined the Ghadar Party, an organization seeking to unite overseas Indians against colonial rule. However, his activism came at a cost. Returning to India in 1927 with associates and weapons to fuel the revolution, he was arrested for illegal possession of firearms and sentenced to five years in prison.
Assassination of Michael O’Dwyer
It was on 13th March 1940, Udham Singh made a historical move. He assassinated Michael O’Dwyer at a conference of the East India Association and the Royal Central Asian Society at Caxton Hill. O’Dwyer was targeted due to his association with General Dyer, the man responsible for the open firing on people protesting against the Rowlatt Act. Following this act, Singh was sentenced to death and hanged on 31st July 1940 at Pentonville Prison in London.
The Ghadar Party
The Ghadar Party, which Udham Singh was a significant part of, was a rebellion movement against British rule. The Urdu word ‘Ghadar’ which translates to ‘rebellion,’ gave the party its name. It was formed in the United States in 1913 by immigrating Indians, mainly from Punjab, though it included members from all regions of India.
Their mission was to spark a nationwide armed struggle against British colonialism in India. The party, originally known as the Hindi Association of Pacific Coast, was founded by Lala Har Dayal with Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna as its president.
Impact and Legacy of the Ghadar Party
The Ghadar Party was instrumental in setting the foundation for many future Indian revolutionary movements and is considered a stepping-stone toward India’s independence. The majority of its members came from the peasantry who moved to cities in Asia and North America at the dawn of the 20th century. This diaspora experienced both success and institutionalized racism.
The Ghadar Movement aimed to incorporate the egalitarian values of American culture into colonial India’s social framework. Egalitarianism, based on the doctrine that all people are equal and deserve equal treatment, heavily influenced the party’s philosophy.
