A Tribute To The Brave Son Of India, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, On His Death Anniversary

As a free nation, the idea of patriotism or nationalism is very different but there was a time when our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives, families and comforts for our nation.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh possessed the emotional and intellectual compassion that nobody in today’s generation can even imagine. Not only was he true to his words, but he produced a tsunami of awakening within the country, the kind that influenced thousands of youth to follow his footsteps.

He happened to be a true Sikh warrior and most importantly he openly declared he was a revolutionist. He took an oath of ending the British Raj in India and he did everything he could to achieve this.

Born in a patriotic family, Bhagat Singh disliked the British Raj in India and always dreamt of a free country since childhood. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre on 1919 left a very deep impact on him. So deep was the impact that he actually collected the blood mixed soil and kept it as a memento that would serve as a motivation for him for his entire lifetime.

He joined Hindustan Republican Association at Kanpur and after the arrest of most of the leading figures, Bhagat Singh along with the youths formed the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. He circulated handouts and newspapers in different languages and spreading political awareness was his motive.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh respected and idolized Lala Lajpat Rai. So when Lala Lajpat Rai succumbed to injuries by the infamous lathi charge led by superintendent of police, James A. Scott while protesting against the Simon Commission, Bhagat Singh decided to take revenge and kill Scott.

He ended up killing John P. Saunders, an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh wanted to use drama and believed only something ‘loud’ can cause the people to notice him and his cause, which was freedom for the country. In an attempt to draw attention, together with Batukeshwar Dutt, a freedom fighter, he threw two bombs inside the Central Legislative Assembly and shouted the slogans of ‘Inquilab Zindabad’.  His secondary motive was to protest against the Public Safety Bill and the Trade Dispute Act but his ulterior motive lay in getting caught, jailed and die a martyr, an event that was bound to cause a stir among people on a large scale.

He was successful and this act of Bhagat Singh attracted support from all over India.

When he was jailed, he underwent an 116-day fast demanding equal rights for British and Indian political prisoners.

After his trial, he was sentenced for life for “causing explosions of a nature likely to endanger life, unlawfully and maliciously.”  He was convicted and subsequently hanged at the age of 23 for his participation in the murder of Saunders.

Bhagat Singh’s contribution is simply indisputable. A role model for the entire country, he wanted his death to be an inspiration to thousands of youth at that time and also for the generations to come.

He fought for me. He fought for you. He fought for us. 🙂

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