Shaheed Bhagat Singh: Biography, Contributions, and Legacy

Context:

• The Prime Minister of India paid tributes to legendary revolutionary Shaheed Bhagat Singh on his birth anniversary on 28th September.

Who was Shaheed Bhagat Singh?

Shaheed Bhagat Singh was an Indian nationalist and revolutionary who laid down his life in the quest for India’s freedom from British rule.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh: The Revolutionary Activist’s Early Life and Influences

• Born: He was born on 27 September 1907 in the village of Banga in the Lyallpur district of today’s Pakistan Punjab.
• Parents: He was the second son of Kishan Singh Sandhu and Vidya Vati. 
• Education: He studied at the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School in Lahore and in 1923, joined Lala Lajpat Rai’s National College in Lahore.
• Political Exposure:His father and uncle were active in progressive politics, taking part in the agitation Canal Colonization Bill agitation in 1907, and also the Ghadar Movement. 
• Influence: Shaheed Bhagat Singh was deeply influenced by British atrocities, especially the killing of innocents in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

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Shaheed Bhagat Singh: Role in India’s Freedom Struggle and Advocacy for Social Reforms

• Associations:He was a prominent member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), which was a left-wing radical revolutionary organization.
  • He founded Naujawan Bharat Sabha in 1926 to encourage revolution against British rule by rallying the peasants and workers. He was also associated with the Kirti Kisan Party. 
• Role in Indian Independence Movement: 
  • Protest against British: In early years, He defied the British government by burning its recommended textbooks. He was also a supporter of Gandhiji’s Non Cooperation Movement.
  • Assassination of Saunders: Shaheed Bhagat Singh and HSRA were involved in the assassination of police officer John Saunders, whom they assumed to be James Scott. 
    • HSRA believed that Scott was responsible for the killing of nationalist icon Lala Lajpat Rai in a lathi charge.
  • Bombing of Central Legislative Assembly: He and Batukeshwar Dutt exploded homemade bombs at the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi and showered pamphlets containing their message. They surrendered to the police.
  • Hunger Strike in Jail: Shaheed Bhagat Singh, along with Jatin Das, held a hunger strike demanding better prison conditions for Indian prisoners.
• Social Reforms: Socialism and Secularism were two most important reforms propagated by Singh. He realized that British imperialism thrived on divide and rule methods to sustain.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s Political Ideology: Influences, Vision for Society, and Stance on Religion

• Politics: He borrowed ideas from Bolshevism and anarchism to promote militant nationalism in India in the 1930s.
  • Singh also approved the thoughts of members of Gadar Party, such as Kartar Singh Sarbha and Bhai Parmanand.
  • He also opposed Capitalism and Imperialism. 
• Society: He dreamed of an anarchist society that was not controlled by the state. Such a society would eliminate the Church, God and Religion; the state; Private property.
  • He was a vivid follower of Marxism and Leninism. He sought to establish a socialist and communist society in India.
• Religion: Shaheed Bhagat Singh considered himself to be an atheist. Religious riots forced him to question religion. He believed religion acted as a hindrance in the revolutionaries’ struggle for independence.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh: The Controversial Trial and Contested Execution

• Death Penalty: He was convicted of the murder of John Saunders and Channan Singh in the Lahore Conspiracy case, and was given a death sentence.
  • Shaheed Bhagat Singh, along with Sukhdev and Rajguru, was hanged in March 1931 at Lahore. 
• Controversy: The murder trial was criticized for being one-sided. He was sentenced to death unilaterally without giving them an opportunity to put forth their defense.
  • The sentence was supposed to be carried out on 24 March 1931 but was conducted a day earlier at the Lahore Jail. Their mortal remains were also cremated in secret.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh: Exploring His Literary Legacy and Ethical Insights

• Literature: Shaheed Bhagat Singh wrote an essay entitled “Why I Am an Atheist” to address the question of his religious belief, during his time in Lahore jail.
  • Some of His writings have been compiled and published as books. 
• Famous Quotes:
  • “Revolution is an inalienable right of mankind. Freedom is an imperishable birthright of all. Labour is the real sustainer of society”.
  • “Bombs and pistols do not make a revolution. The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting stone of ideas”.
  • Quotes from Ethical Perspective:
    • “A man’s duty is to try and endeavor; success depends upon chance and environment”.
    • “Merciless criticism and independent thinking are the two necessary traits of revolutionary thinking.”
    • “The aim of life is no more to control the mind, but to develop it harmoniously; not to achieve salvation hereafter, but to make the best use of it here below.”
    • “I am a man and all that affects mankind concerns me.”
    • “Philosophy is the outcome of human weakness or limitation of knowledge.”

Shaheed Bhagat Singh: Legacy of Martyrdom, Commemorations, and Cultural Impact

• Honor: Every year, 23rd March is observed as ‘Martyrs’ Day’ or ‘Shaheed Diwas’ or ‘Sarvodaya Day’ to honor Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.
• Political Space: He is admired across the political spectrum that includes both communists and right-wing nationalists. 
  • Despite opposition to Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s methods, JL Nehru showered praise for his efforts in India’s freedom movement.
• Memorial: The National Martyrs Memorial was built on the cremation spot of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in 1968. It also contains memorials of Rajguru and Sukhdev. 
• Fairs: The Shaheedi Mela is held annually on 23 March when people pay homage at the National Martyrs Memorial. 
• Movies: His life and times have been shown in many movies. Some famous movies on Shaheed Bhagat Singh include Shaheed, The Legend of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rang De Basanti, Sardar Udham etc.
• Literature: Famous books on his include ‘Without Fear: The Life and Trial of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’, Shaheed Bhagat Singh- The Eternal Rebel, Inquilab: Shaheed Bhagat Singh on Religion & Revolution etc.
• Drama: His life has been portrayed in plays such as Gagan Damama Bajyo, Tanashah etc.
• Songs: Songs such as “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna” and “Mera Rang De Basanti Chola” are largely associated with him and have been used in a number of related films. 
• Postage Stamp: A postage stamp was issued in 1968 to commemorate the 61st birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

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Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s Vision for Unity, Social Equality, and Political Participation

• Religious Unity: His idea of religious unity is the right way forward for India and the world. He had criticized the use of religion in politics as it hindered revolution.
• Students’ Participation in Politics: He favored student political involvement. He believed that political participation allowed them to question people in power.
• Egalitarian Society: His thoughts believe that an egalitarian society is a must for a developing country such as India. Discrimination on the basis of caste must be given up.
• Inclusive Society: Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s ideas have always remained committed to the cause of plural and inclusive society, which does not discriminate against marginalized people.
• State Control: He supported the idea of anarchy, which is a result of a stateless society. He wanted a society which was under limited control of the state.
• Critical Thinking: He wanted people to give up religion-inspired superstition. He wants people to criticize, disbelieve and challenge the established norms.

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