On 23rd July, India honors the memory and contributions of the revered freedom fighter, Chandra Shekhar Azad, marking his birth anniversary. Known for his valor and courage, Azad played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence.
Early Life and Emergence as a Freedom Fighter
Born on 23rd July 1906 in the Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Chandra Shekhar Azad’s entry into the freedom movement was marked by an act of defiance. At the tender age of 15, he joined the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in December 1921. His strong will and belief in the cause of freedom led to his arrest and his unique responses while being presented before a magistrate earned him the name “Azad” (The Free). His father’s name, as he stated, was “Swatantrata” (Independence), and he proudly claimed his residence as “Jail”. This resonated with his unwavering spirit of resistance against the British rule.
Role in Hindustan Republican Association
Following the suspension of the non-cooperation movement by Gandhi in 1922, Azad chose revolution over passive resistance and joined the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA). Established in 1924 by Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Narendra Mohan Sen, and Pratul Ganguly as a branch of Anushilan Samiti, the HRA aimed at liberating India from British rule through revolutionary means. Comprising brave hearts like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Ram Prasad Bismil, Roshan Singh, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Rajendra Lahiri, the association staged several acts of defiance against the British rule.
Kakori Conspiracy
In 1925, members of the HRA orchestrated the infamous Kakori Train Robbery. This was a part of their strategy to fund their revolutionary activities through robbery of government property. This daring act was led by Chandra Shekhar Azad and his counterparts Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, and Manmathnath Gupta.
Formation of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
Azad’s vision for a free India was not limited to the overthrowing of the British rule but encompassed the establishment of a socialist republic. In line with this vision, the HRA was reorganised as the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army (HSRA) in 1928. Chandra Shekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee played instrumental roles in its formation, offering a new direction to India’s struggle for independence.
The HSRA is notably remembered for planning the assassination of J.P. Saunders, a British Policeman at Lahore in 1928 to avenge the killing of Lala Lajpat Rai.
Azad’s Unforgettable Sacrifice
Chandra Shekhar Azad’s journey as a freedom fighter was brought to an abrupt end with his death at Azad Park in Allahabad on 27th February 1931. His commitment to India’s freedom will always be remembered as a beacon of courage and patriotism. Azad’s life and legacy continue to inspire millions even today, reminding us of the sacrifices made by brave hearts in India’s struggle for independence.
