‘AZAD’S ASHES AND THE IMMORTAL STORY OF KASHI: AN UNBROKEN HOND OF FIVE DECADES’

‘AZAD’S ASHES AND THE IMMORTAL STORY OF KASHI: AN UNBROKEN HOND OF FIVE DECADES’

26-JULY-ENG 22

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------------The holy land of Kashi, where the flow of the Ganges tells the stories of history, has preserved a saga that ignites the flame of patriotism in the heart of every Indian. This is the story of the revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad, whose ashes have been kept as a priceless heritage locked in a double lock at Kashi Vidyapeeth for the last five decades. Today, when we remember him on the occasion of his birth anniversary, his valor and his deep bond with Kashi inspire us once again.

Chandrashekhar Azad, born on 23 July 1906 in Bhabra, Madhya Pradesh, was a young man who dedicated his youth for the freedom of the country. His mother wanted him to become a Sanskrit scholar in Kashi, but this land of Kashi made him a revolutionary warrior. At the age of just 15, Azad jumped into Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation movement. When he was arrested and asked his name in court, he blurted out—"I am free!" From here on, he became "Chandrashekhar Azad", a name that became a symbol of breaking the chains of slavery.

While studying at Kashi Vidyapeeth, Azad's mind began to burn with the fire of rebellion against foreign rule. It was from here that he started his revolutionary journey with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. From the Kakori train robbery (1925) to the assassination of British officer John Poyntz Saunders (1938) to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, Azad shook the British rule. He was an inspiration and guide for youth like Bhagat Singh.

On 27 February 1931, the British police surrounded him in Alfred Park (now Chandrashekhar Azad Park) in Allahabad. But Azad kept his oath—he would never be caught alive. Fighting till the last bullet, he shot himself with his own pistol, and thus the life of a revolutionary ended, but his saga became immortal.

After his demise, the public and Congress leaders collected his ashes and preserved them in an urn. This urn is today locked in a double lock at Kashi Vidyapeeth, like a priceless gem. These ashes are not just a relic of bones and ashes, but a symbol of Azad's sacrifice and patriotism. Kashi Vidyapeeth professor Dr. Ramnath Mishra says, "Azad's ashes remind us of the great sacrifices we have made to achieve independence. Every year, on his birth anniversary, we pay homage to this heritage."

Azad's relationship with Kashi was not limited to his studies. This was the city where his soul felt the first spark of freedom. Local resident and historian Madhukar Pandey says, "Kashi made Azad, and Azad made Kashi immortal. His ashes are preserved here, just as Kashi keeps his memory in its heart." Today, as we celebrate Chandrashekhar Azad's birth anniversary, his quote resonates: "Balam vav bhuyoapi ha shatam vigyanavatamekko balavanakampyate" (Be strong; one strong man can shake a hundred scholars). His teachings continue to inspire us that no obstacle can stand in the way of courage and dedication.

In the streets of Kashi, on the ghats of the Ganga, and in that lock of Kashi Vidyapeeth, Azad's story lives on. This story teaches us that freedom is not just a word, but a responsibility—to cherish the freedom for which heroes like Azad gave their lives.