Context: 

Lala Lajpat Rai Jayanti 2024: 28 January 2024 marked the 159th birth anniversary of the freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, popularly known as “Punjab Kesari” or “Lion of Punjab“.

About Lala Lajpat Rai: The Lion of Punjab

• Birthplace: Rai was born on January 28, 1865, in Dhudike, Punjab, to a Jain family. 
  • His parents were Munshi Radha Krishan Agrawal and Gulab Devi Agarwal.
• Schooling: Rai did his primary schooling in Rewari, Punjab, influenced by his father, a government school teacher, and his deeply religious mother.
• Higher Education: He joined Government College at Lahore in 1880, majoring in law, where he was influenced by the Arya Samaj movement.
• Death: He died on November 17, 1928, following a police lathi-charge during a protest against the Simon Commission. 
  • His famous words, “the blows struck at me today will be the last nails in the coffin of British rule in India,” became a rallying cry for freedom.

Lala Lajpat Rai: His Contribution to the Indian National Movement

• Part of ‘Lal, Bal, Pal’ Trio: Alongside Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal, Rai formed a formidable trio advocating for Swadeshi and home-rule movements.
• Role in Swadeshi Movement: He played a vital role in mobilising Indians against the first Partition of Bengal in 1905.
  • For his political agitation, he was deported to Burma without trial in 1907 but returned after a few months because of lack of evidence.
• Protest against Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Rai actively opposed these oppressive British policies.
• Leadership in Congress: Rai served as the President of the Indian National Congress from 1920, steering pivotal moments like the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Central Legislative Assembly: Elected deputy leader in 1926, Rai played a significant role in legislative affairs.
  • In 1928, he moved a resolution in the assembly refusing cooperation with the Simon Commission since the Commission had no Indian members.

Lala Lajpat Rai: His Associated Organizations

• Hindu Relief Movement: Started in 1897 to aid famine-stricken people, preventing them from falling prey to missionaries.
• Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School: He helped establish the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School in Lahore, promoting nationalistic education.
• Punjab National Bank: Rai helped establish this bank in 1894, a significant contribution to India’s economic development.
• Servants of People Society: Founded in 1921, this society reflected his dedication to social service.
• Arya Samaj and Hindu Mahasabha: Rai’s involvement in these organisations highlighted his commitment to Hindu reform and national politics.
• Indian Home Rule League of America: Founded in 1917 during his stay in the U.S., it aimed to promote India’s cause for self-rule.

Lala Lajpat Rai Contributions to Labour Movements and Labor Laws

• All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC): He was actively involved in the labour movement and played a pivotal role in the establishment of AITUC, India’s first national trade union, in 1920.
  • First President of AITUC: Lala Lajpat Rai 
• Advocacy for Labor Rights: He was deeply concerned with the plight of workers and advocated for better labour laws and working conditions, contributing significantly to the labour rights movement in India.

Lala Lajpat Rai Newspaper & Literary Works

• He founded the Arya Gazette in Lahore.
• Rai was a regular contributor to various newspapers: 
  • Young India, 
  • England’s Debt to India, 
  • Evolution of Japan, 
  • India’s Will to Freedom, 
  • Message of the Bhagavad Gita, 
  • Political Future of India, 
  • Problem of National Education in India, 
  • The Depressed Glasses, and 
  • the travelogue ‘United States of America’.

Lala Lajpat Rai Philosophy

• Ideological Beliefs: Rai’s philosophy combined nationalism, Hindu reformism, and advocacy for civil liberties and self-reliance.
• Influence of Arya Samaj: His views were significantly shaped by the Arya Samaj movement, emphasising social reform within Hinduism.

Conclusion

Lala Lajpat Rai’s life, marked by fearless leadership, prolific writing, and unwavering dedication to India’s independence, leaves a lasting legacy. His birth anniversary is a reminder of his role as a freedom fighter, educator, and reformer, whose life continues to inspire generations in India’s ongoing journey of growth and self-realisation.