INQUILAB ZINDABAD: THE IMMORTAL STORY OF A REVOLUTIONARY

INQUILAB ZINDABAD: THE IMMORTAL STORY OF A REVOLUTIONARY

15-AUG-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------India of the 1920s was bound in the shackles of British rule. On one hand, Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent movement was resonating across the country, while on the other hand, a young, enthusiastic and revolutionary mind was choosing a different path to overthrow the British rule. The name of that young man was Bhagat Singh.

Bhagat Singh was not only fighting for political independence, but was dreaming of an India where no one could exploit anyone. He was deeply influenced by the socialist revolution of Russia and believed that real freedom would be achieved only when equality and justice were established in society.

With this thinking, he changed the name of Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) to Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA). Its aim was not just freedom from British rule, but to establish an exploitation-free, socialist society.

In 1928, when the great freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai died in a lathi charge by the British police, Bhagat Singh and his comrades did not sit quiet. They decided to take revenge for this injustice. They killed John P. Saunders, an Assistant Superintendent of Police. This was a warning that atrocities on Indian leaders would not be tolerated.

In 1929, Bhagat Singh took another bold step. He, along with Batukeshwar Dutt, threw bombs in the Central Assembly of Delhi. These bombs were not to harm anyone, but to “make the deaf hear”.

After throwing the bombs, they did not try to run away, but stood there and shouted the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” and distributed pamphlets. These pamphlets described their thoughts and the demand for freedom. Their aim was only to draw the attention of the people so that they could know what the youth of India want for their freedom.

After the bomb incident, Bhagat Singh deliberately courted arrest. He knew that this opportunity would give him an opportunity to spread his ideas to the whole world. He used his trial as a platform from where he exposed the injustice of the British government and propagated his socialist ideals. His fearless and uncompromising attitude inspired millions of Indians.

On March 23, 1931, Bhagat Singh was hanged along with his comrades, Sukhdev and Rajguru. Their martyrdom sparked a new wave of revolution across the country. Bhagat Singh's sacrifice is still a source of inspiration for the youth of India. His ideology, which includes patriotism, socialism and anti-imperialism, is as relevant today as it was then. His slogan of “Inquilab Zindabad” still reminds us that revolution never dies.