On Shaheed Diwas (23rd March), the Prime Minister of India paid tribute to the lives and sacrifices of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru. This day, also known as Martyrs’ Day or Sarvodaya Day, should not be mistaken for another Martyrs’ Day observed on 30th January, which marks the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Significance of Shaheed Diwas: A Historical Overview
Shaheed Diwas is observed annually on the 23rd of March to honor Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, three pivotal figures in India’s journey towards independence. In 1931, these freedom fighters were executed by the British government for assassinating John Saunders, a British police officer. The three mistook him for James Scott, the superintendent responsible for ordering a lathi charge that led to the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
Bhagat Singh went into hiding following the incident and later re-emerged alongside Batukeshwar Dutt. In April 1929, the pair set off two explosive devices inside Delhi’s Central Legislative Assembly. They then allowed themselves to be arrested, shouting “Inquilab Zindabad,” translating to “Long live the revolution.” Their path to independence diverged from traditional Congress leaders, emphasizing personal heroism and their fervent desire to contribute to their nation.
Bhagat Singh: An Iconic Figure in India’s Fight for Independence
Bhagat Singh was born into a petty-bourgeois family of Sandhu Jats on September 26, 1907. His participation in India’s national movement bridged the gap between the extremism phase led by Lal-Bal-Pal and the Gandhian phase characterized by nonviolent mass action.
In 1923, Singh began his educational journey at the National College in Lahore. Established by Lala Lajpat Rai and Bhai Parmanand, this institution was an alternative to government-run schools, emphasizing Swadeshi ideals within its education framework. By 1924, Singh joined the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), spearheaded by Chandra Shekhar Azad, where he embraced the philosophy of armed revolution as a weapon against British imperialism.
Bhagat Singh’s Revolutionary Pursuits
After returning to Lahore in 1925, Singh formed the Naujawan Bharat Sabha, a militant youth organization. He later established contact with Sohan Singh Josh and became part of the ‘Workers and Peasants Party,’ contributing to their monthly Punjabi magazine, Kirti. Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary pursuits led to his first arrest in 1927 over charges connected with an article he wrote under the pseudonym Vidrohi (Rebel).
In 1928, Singh renamed the Hindustan Republican Association to the Hindustan Socialist Republic Association (HSRA). The association faced significant turmoil when Chandra Shekhar Azad was shot in 1930, leading to its eventual collapse.
Bhagat Singh’s Prison Life and Lasting Legacy
Following the disbanding of the HSRA, Singh spent his time in prison protesting for better living conditions for inmates. Singh’s hunger strike in solidarity with fellow defendant Jatin Das drew public sympathy. The strike ended tragically with Das’ starvation death in September 1929. Two years later, Singh was convicted and executed at the age of 23. Despite his early death, Singh’s revolutionary spirit continues to inspire countless individuals, truly embodying the phrase “Inquilab Zindabad.”
This information was sourced from IE.
