Bhagat Singh, born on September 28, 1907, in the village of Banga (now in Faisalabad, Pakistan), is celebrated as a charismatic revolutionary who sacrificed his life for the cause of Indian independence at the young age of 23.
Five Lesser-Known Aspects of Bhagat Singh’s Life
[1] A Family of Progressive Freedom Fighters
- An ardent participant in anti-British actions were Bhagat Singh’s uncle Ajit and father Kishan. For publishing seditious literature, Kishan risked prison time in 1910, while Ajit was exiled to Mandalay in 1907 for his vehement statements opposing the Punjab Colonization Bill. Both made crucial contributions to the liberation movement, which influenced Bhagat Singh’s anti-colonial upbringing.
- Dissension among the Family: Bhagat Singh publicly attacked his father for pleading for mercy to the Viceroy while he and other revolutionaries faced the death penalty, demonstrating his steadfast dedication to the revolutionary cause despite the family’s strident anti-British position.
[2] A Scholar and Writer
- Prolific Author: In the 1920s, Bhagat Singh published pamphlets and seditious writings in Amritsar’s Urdu and Punjabi publications that denounced British colonial control.
- Eclectic Reading: His prison diaries showed he read widely from a variety of authors, including William Wordsworth, Mirza Ghalib, Rabindranath Tagore, and Iqbal, as well as writings by other well-known poets and authors like Wajid Ali Shah and Rabindranath Tagore.
[3] An Atheist and Marxist with Anarchist Leanings
- Bhagat Singh, an outspoken atheist, denounced religion in his 1930 essay “Why I Am An Atheist,” rejecting the idea that there is only one real religion. He saw religion as a source of conflict and discouragement.
- Inspirations: Marxist philosophers like Lenin, Bakunin, Trotsky, and Bakunin served as models for Bhagat Singh. He argued for “social reconstruction on new, i.e., Marxist, basis” in his last will and testament, “Too Young Political Workers” (1931). He did not, however, totally concur with traditional Marxist viewpoints, particularly when it came to authoritarianism.
[4] Support from Jinnah
- Mahatma Gandhi chose not to speak out during the trial of Bhagat Singh, whereas MA Jinnah vehemently defended him. A planned Bill that would have permitted trials in absentia was fiercely opposed by Jinnah, who in 1929 made a powerful address in the Central Assembly.
- Successful opposition: Jinnah’s unwavering stance prevented the bill from being passed, but Bhagat Singh’s trial went forward under questionable conditions, leading to his death sentence in 1930.
[5] Jawaharlal Nehru’s Support
- Jawaharlal Nehru denounced both the injustice done to Bhagat Singh and the British legal system. He was inspired by Bhagat Singh’s bravery and selflessness.
- Nehru met Bhagat Singh in prison alongside other influential figures, including Subhash Chandra Bose. Nehru’s admiration for Bhagat Singh persisted despite the fact that their approaches were different.
- Congress Resolution: Despite the Congress’ professed rejection of using violence to achieve independence, Nehru moved a formal resolution in a Congress session condemning Bhagat Singh’s death and calling for commutation.
