Today, on September 28, the subcontinent will remember Bhagat Singh, the great revolutionary who gave his life at the age of 23 for India’s freedom.
Early Childhood and Life
Born on September 28, 1907, in Banga, Lyallpur district of current Pakistan, to Kishan Singh and Vidyavati, Bhagat Singh belonged to a family involved in the movement for the self-determination and independence of India.
The formative years saw him resisting the British and destroying official publications as espoused by Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement.
But, two events that were to mould his political views were the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre and when in 1921 unarmed Akali demonstrators were killed in Nankana Sahib.
In the wake of the Chauri Chaura Incident, a disillusioned Bhagat Singh distanced himself from the nonviolent path and became a member of the Young Revolutionary Movement.
Along with fellow revolutionaries Chandrashekhar Azad and Sukhdev, Bhagat Singh also joined the radical Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), which became the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) later.
Revolutionary Activities
Bhagat Singh started by writing to overthrow the British government through violent insurrection.
The turning point came when Bhagat Singh and his aides decided to avenge Lala Lajpat Rai’s murder by assassinating James A. Scott, the Superintendent of Police, thought to have authorised the use of a lathi charge against the protestors led by Rai. Unfortunately, they ended up killing Assistant Superintendent of Police J.P. Saunders mistaking him for Scott.
In protest over the formation of the Defence of India Act. Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt detonated a bomb in the assembly’s hallways on April 8, 1929, while yelling “Inquilab Zindabad!” and flinging a leaflet detailing their mission into the air. Both Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt courted arrest after the explosions.
Trial for 1929 Assembly Bombing
Representing himself, while Afsar Ali represented Batukeshwar Dutt, they received life sentences, citing the explosions’ malicious and illegal aim.
Trial in the Lahore Conspiracy Case
At the Viceroy’s request, a tribunal established to proceed without the defendants present, after a lopsided trial, on October 7, 1930, held Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru responsible for Saunders’ murder and handed a death by hanging verdict.
Execution
Along with his companions Rajguru and Sukhdev, Bhagat Singh was hanged in the Lahore Jail at 7:30 am on March 23, 1931. The trio allegedly marched to the execution site while yelling their favourite catchphrases, including “Inquilab Zindabad” and “Down with British Imperialism.” On the banks of the Sutlej River, at Hussainiwala, Bhagat Singh and his contemporaries were cremated.
In Popular Culture
The popularity of the movies and stage productions based on Bhagat Singh’s life continues to inspire Indians. His life, views, and legacy have been the subject of many books, essays, and papers. Bhagat Singh’s well-known songs “Mohe rang de Basanti Chola” and “Sarfaroshiki Tamanna” continue to be effective in igniting Indians’ patriotism.