Bhagat Singh
Bhagat Singh : Transcendence From Romantic to True Revolutionary
Prof Jagmohan Singh*
Martyr Bhagat Singh has a very brief
period of active political life. In this brief time span he has transcended to
the top of a thought process which make him ever relevant to the immerging
situations. As these years there is increased interest in him by the common man
so there is an urge to have more thorough understanding.
The short period of active life also
creates a paradox. In absence of thorough understanding of the process of his
revolutionary growth, the scope for interpretation of shahid for narrow benefit
has been on rise. Thus there is an urgent need to have better understanding of
the growth of thought process.
Family Background
The family has developed a value
system in which as per his great grand father Sardar Fateh Singh , the principle
should have precedence over property. His property was confiscated due to
participation in the wars to defend independence of Punjab against aggression by
British East India Company rulers. In 1857 he was offered to get back this land
along with award of more for helping the company rulers. The other feudal lords
had agreed to help company against Indian freedom fighters. He publicly declared
that when his ancestors choose to follow Guru Gobind Singh, the lesson learnt
was to stand with the people fighting for their rights and going against them is
treason with Guru. So in the choice between principle and property , the
principle was to get precedence.1
This advice was
the choosen by the grandfather Sardar Arjan Singh and followed more dedicatedly
by his sons Sardar Kishan Singh , Ajit Singh and Swaran Singh. Incidentally the
other brother of Arjan Singh namly Surjan Singh choose property over principle
and became stanch supporter of British Rulers.
Sardar Arjan
Singh also provided a most harmonious cultural environment in home. He was a
great scholar of Sri Garanth sahib , was a Unanni Hakim to help needy. But he
choose Arya Samaj against Singh sabha. The later being started by the Sikh
feudal lords who had patronage of British Governor as antidote to Kuka
patriotism. Where as Arya samaj declared that one’s liberty is linked with
liberty of every one in society, so helping the people affected by famines or
earth quakes. The removal of untouchability not only preached but was
practiced. This provided a rational look to Bhagat Singh.
The home culture
was further enriched by sufi culture due to Mrs. Harnam Kaur wife of Sardar
Ajit Singh who belonged to Kasur the seat of teachings of Baba Bule Shah. Thus
the home was a unique center of composite culture of Punjab.
*Secretary Shahid Bhagat Singh Research Committee, Dr Amarjit Building, 2409
Krishna Nagar ,Ludhiana-141001
There was oneness of practice and preaching in the house. Humanism and empathy
for the working people was spontaneous. Bhagat Singh’s bringing up under the
guidance of his grandfather trained him of critical thinking. There was full
awareness of political environment in the house and political activities were
regularly part of discussion. This provided incentive to Bhagat Singh to keep
close watch of the political activities taking place around. He imbibed
independence of action in early life.
First hand experience of events
That explains, how at the age of twelve, he goes to Jallianwala Bagh Amritsar,
on his own at learning of the mass massacre by General Dyer. On this firsthand
experience he comes alive with a question about the naked brutality of the
colonial ruler. This was 1919. He also finds that every where marshal law is
implemented and suppression is to the extent that first world war air force
airplanes were used to bomb Gujrat city in Punjab.
Following this he visits Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in March 1921 following the
brutal killings of 139 peaceful Sikhs by Mahant ,the Sarbrah of gurdwara and his
mercenaries. Mahant acted under the protectorate of British Deputy Commissioner.
This raised further questions in his young mind as to how British colonial
rulers not only are brutal by them self but they also used Indian vested
interests to do atrocity on Indian too.
This is the period when post Tilak , Gandhi was immerging as a mass leader and
in early 1920 he “
brought two elements to the anti-imperial struggle that had been missing since
the Sepoy Mutiny. His political skills, plans, and charisma drew a mass base
into the first all-India struggles since 1857, and the struggles themselves
connected popular grievances against aspects of British rule to the final
goal of ending British rule. … Gandhi's success made him into the
Congress Party's preeminent--and indispensible--leader.1”
Call of Gandhi in 1921
His advised the students that “I
consider it sinful to take education where his (british) flag flies. I consider
it sinful to study even the Gita and the crafts there. To tell you the
truth I do not wish even to live under such a regime. If it were possible to
renounce it altogether I would have done so……. I consider this the regime of
Ravana. Tulsidas has called it a sin to live under such a regime. I can
positively say that all the twenty-four hours I am taken up with the idea of
destroying it or mending it…. You must do what it is possible for you to do. The
main thing for you is to refuse the education that is offered to you. . I do not
speak of co-operation in general. I ask you to give up the specific co-operation
with which you as students are concerned. If you feel the same way about this
Government as I do, then you should consider it your dharma to leave. This
dharma involves no conditions as to the kind of education you may then get. I
merely tell you your dharma.”2
Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 further gave clear call that “To
everyone I say: whether no education is available elsewhere, you should leave.
You can try for a similar sort of education elsewhere if you are so inclined but
it should not be under the aegis of the Government. I want to say that it is not
a question of livelihood; it is a question of humanity. The question of
livelihood may come next. Freedom is dharma. …. For I consider it a sin to take
education under the aegis of a regime which I consider rakshasi and which
has committed such outrages in the Punjab.” 3
1.
Meneejeh Moradian and David Whitehouse, “Gandhi
and the Politics of Nonviolence” International
Socialist Review Issue 14,
October-November 2000
2.
THE COLLECTED WORKS OF
MAHATMA GANDHI VOL.
22 : 15 NOVEMBER, 1920 - 5 APRIL, 1921 p23
3.
Ibid vol22 page 23
This call was
very enthusing to the sensitive youth like Bhagat Singh , Chander Shekhar Azad
and others. He and many of his later revolutionary colleagues left the education
and joined the non cooperation movement on the call of Gandhi.
Bhagat Singh was
keeping a close eye on activities of unions in preparations for Hartals. This is
clear from his remarks in a letter to Grandfather dated 14 Nov,1921. He, writes
“these days railway persons are preparing for hartal. It is possible that it may
start in a weeks time”4 This shows that he had got himself involved
in the activities of non- coperation and it was being done with the knowledge of
his family. The call for non cooperation was very attractive for a 14 year old
young man as it was the answer to the brutality of British colonial rule.
Particularly Mahatma Gandhi’s further assurance that he will get the “Swaraj in
one year” raised confidence of these young minds.
The situation of
peasantry was precarious. This is well documented as follows. “The
exploitation of and the tyranny practised against the Oudh peasantry by the
rapacious landlords and their minions are a known reality in the annals of
peasant history. After the Mutiny of 1857, the British created and buttressed a
small class of taluqdars in Oudh to help them in their colonial domination of
this part of India. These feudal barons and their ‘kinsmen' led luxurious.,
westernised lives, and the burden of their high living fell on the poor
peasantry. They heaped numerous indignities on the peasantry to realise their
extortionate demands. Nazarana (gift payments), bedhakli (eviction), rasad
(compulsory supplies) and begar (forced labour) were not the only weapons in
their hands.”5 They would also impose cesses like Hathiana Moturana6
and so on to meet their extravagance. The taluqdars wielded the sword of
eviction to pressurize the tenantry into paying higher cesses, as owing to
increases in population there was a growing demand for more and more holdings.
Nazarana had become such an evil that some peasants were painfully forced to
commit the most heinous sin of kanya vikraya (sale of daughters) to raise
nazarana money.7 Forced labour on a wage ranging between two to eight
paise per day was a common practice. Even these wages were generally not paid.8
Further, the peasantry had to provide rasad and begar to the touring government
officials, failing which they were exposed to the wrath of their landlords.9
Under such
conditions the call of noncooperation and boycott came as a ray of hope. It
enthused and emboldened the masses to get liberated of their miseries. They saw
a new dawn of freedom which will provide them relief from suppression,
exploitation as well as brutality of colonial rule.
Thus Nagpur Session of the Congress
(December 1920) endorsed the non cooperation and boycott of foreign cloth.
Congress membership was thrown open to all adult men and women on payment of 4
annas as subscription. The adoption of the Non- Cooperation resolution by the
Congress gave it a new energy and from January 1921, it began to register
considerable success all over India. 9,000 students left schools and colleges.
The boycott of law courts by lawyers was not as successful as the educational
boycott. But many prominent people did leave their lucrative practice to join
national movement. By December, over 30,000 people were arrested from all over
India .
4.Jagmohan
Singh “ Shahid Bhagat Singh ate Unahn De Sathian dian Likhtan” Chetna Parkashan
Ludhiana 2005 p 27
5.
S K MITTAL KAPIL KUMAR ,”Baba Ram Chandra and Peasant Upsurge in Oudh: 1920-21”
Social Scientist. v 6, no. 71 (June 1978) p. 35
6
Hathiana was imposed as a cess on the peasantry if the taluqdar had to purchase
an elephant and if a car was to be purchased Moturana tax was levied on the
peasantry.
7 Mehta
Report No 753/1920, Revenue, U P State Archives (hereafter UPSA,) p 11.
8 Independent, September 24, 1920.
9.
.
S K MITTAL KAPIL KUMAR
,”Baba Ram
Chandra and Peasant Upsurge in Oudh: 1920-21” Social Scientist. v 6, no.
71 (June 1978) p. 36
Withdrawal of Non Coperation
movement – Looking to Irish success
Then came the unfortunate event of
Chauri Chaura where six unarmed non cooperators were killed in indiscriminate
police firing. The emboldened non cooperators chased the armed police men and
the Thana where they went into hiding was put to torch. This caused death of
twenty two police men. This gave cause to Mahatma Gandhi for calling an end to
the Non-Cooperation Movement on 12 February 1922 without consultation with other
leaders of congress. So The Swaraj was not attained in a year as promised.
This caused great despair to
the enthused youth including Bhagat Singh.
The same British empire had to come
on terms with Irish nation which was much smaller than India.
Anglo-Irish Treaty
was signed on
December 6, 1921
and Ireland Free State was created by partitioning and creating Northern
Ireland controlled by British Government.
In 1923 when Bhagat Singh had to
leave home and come to Kanpur ,following insistence of family to get married. He
found that some youth under the leadership of Sh. Sachider Nath Sanyal was
getting themselves organized under the banner of Hindustan Republican
Association on the line of Ireland. Here he had the advantage of working with Sh
Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi a great patriot, a great journalist and a dedicated
social and political worker. Though at National college Lahore he had started
studying revolutionary literature. He had a very close friend in Sukhdev who was
discussion partner to all readings. But at Kanpur also he found such a partner
in Sh B K Dutt.
The question which
bothered the young minds was how could Ireland a tiny Island can gain status of
Free Republic from British ? While India with all the efforts and sacrifices of
Gadar Party in 1915 -16 and current mass enthusiasm, fearlessness and strength
could not achive any significant victory.
In 1924 a book describing firsthand
experience of Ireland freedom struggle was published entitled “My
Fight for Irish Freedom” by DAN BREEN one of the fierce and daring
freedom fighter. This was the book which was thoroughly studied by Bhagat Singh
and his compatriots. Bhagat Singh translated this and got it published in Hindi
and wanted it read broadly.10
The first lesson drawn was that Ban
Bareen and his comrades were guerilla war farers and hence some form of
guerilla tactics can force the British to surrender dominion status. The
articles explaining guerilla tactics were also published in those days for
educating youngmen.11
Prabha was the sister literary
magazine published by Sh Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi the editor and publisher of
Partap.
The Hindustan Republican Association
leaders Shahid Ram Parsad Bismal , Shahid Ashfaq Ullah Khan and Chander Shekhar
Azad belonged to that tradition. The manifesto and constitution of HRA declared
that object to “establish a Federated Republic of United States of India by an
organized and armed revolution.” 12 Similarily Hindustan Republican
Army wing was created on the lines of Irish Republican Army.
Bhagat Singh while analyzing his
own development of ideas wrote that “up to that period I was only romantic
idealist revolutionary. Upto then we were to follow.”13
10.Jagmohan
Singh “ Shahid Bhagat Singh ate Unahn De Sathian dian Likhtan” Chetna Parkashan
Ludhiana 2005 p 163
11. Agiat
( a pen name), “Gurilla Yudh” Prabha, Kanpur 1924
12.
Malwinder jit Singh & Harish Jain Editors “ The Hanging of Bhagat Singh
Confession ,statements and other Documents” Unistar 2007 p351
13
Bhagat
Singh /
Why I Am An Atheist/NBT/2006 page 23
By the end of
1925 after Kakori train holdup all the leaders except Chander Shekhar Azad were
arrested . Bhagat Singh attended the court proceeding as a journalist with
identity card from “Akali” being published from Amritsar14
Revisit to
Irish Experience
He found to his
surprise that the commoners gave witnesses without any concern for the persons
who were ready to sacrifice themselves for their betterment. This apathy of
their own fellows made Bhagat Singh revisit the Dan Breen’s autobiography which
he has translated . Bhagat Singh assessed Shahid Ram Parsad Bismal’s capability
to be “a general of Army had he been born in some other country at some
different time.”15
Bhagat Singh
laments on the apathy of public about Babar Akali Martyrs . In an article
published in Partap on 15 March 1926 he wrote that ”we coward animals have not
dared to come out of our luxurious life to have a sigh on their martyrdom.”16
On his revisit to
the autobiography of Dan Breen he found that the freedom fighters in ireland are
fully embedded with the masses. He warned that “Ireland parallel does not apply
in India’s case . In Ireland it was not sporadic terroristic activities she
witnessed but it was a nation wide rising, the rank and file were bound by an
intimate knowledge and sympathy with the gunmen. Arms they could have very
easily ,and the American- Irish poured out their money.” 17
In another very
important development ,Bhagat Singh’s father took him to Belgaon Congress
session held on 25th Dec to 30th Dec 1924. Bhagat Singh’s
Father was naturally worried on escaping of Bhagat Singh aged 16 year from home.
He wanted him to fully participate in the Indian freedom struggle but on a
mature and long term basis. He took him to Belgaon Congress which was to be
presided over by Mahatma Gandhi after his jail term. He wanted his son to
appreciate that for a leading role one has to develop some characteristics and
capabilities. Education is the most important. He introduced to him Subash Bose,
Pt. Nehru .It was to emphasize that to be in leading role Subash Bose had
studied in England got selected for Indian Civil Services resigned and choose to
play lead role in national movement. Similarily it is after good study in
England that Pt. Nehru plays a leading role. Bhagat Singh was also introduced to
old revolutionary from Bengal Anushelan Samiti Sh. Nirlamba Swami. He was one
who introduced Sardar Kishan Singh and Ajit Singh to bengal revolutionaries in
1903. Bhagat Singh had a long talk with Sh. Nirlamba Swami. This is referred to
in his autobiographical note he writes that ‘”I came across a book entitled
Common Sense by NIrlamba Swami. It was only mystic atheism “18 But
out of this meeting Sh Nirlamba Swami showed his satisfaction and approval of
Bhagat Singh’s activities. But the idea, that study is most important activity
to transform oneself was sown.
He laments, in a
letter to his friend Amar chand in 1927 that, “Brother my desire to study in
foreign has been lost. But if you get chance do send some good books”19
14.
Jitendranath Sanyal “Amar Shaheed Sardar Bhagat Singh” NBT 2006;
p. 27
15..Jagmohan
Singh Ed. “ Shahid Bhagat Singh ate Unahn De Sathian dian Likhtan” Chetna
Parkashan Ludhiana 2005 p 58
16. ibid ; p 39
17.
Bhagat
singh, “To the young political workers” 2 feb , 1931 : www.shahidbhagatsingh.org/documents
18
Bhagat Singh / Why
I Am An Atheist/NBT/2006 page 26
19.
Jagmohan Singh ed.
“ Shahid Bhagat Singh ate Unahn De Sathian dian Likhtan” Chetna Parkashan
Ludhiana 2005 p 73
The dilemma, in
which Bhagat Singh finds himself in the year 1926, is best stated in his own
words that then ”came the time to shoulder the whole responsibility. Due to the
inevitable reaction, for some time, the very existence of the Party seemed
impossible. Enthusiastic comrades – nay leaders – began to jeer at us. For some
time I was afraid that someday I also might be convinced of the futility of our
own programme.” 20
This was the time
when the attempts to get senior leaders escape from police custody had failed.
The hope of having someone to lead was shattered. But this also provided
opportunity for researching the process of revolutionary work.
During this time
a debate between revolutionary Sachinder Nath Sanyal and Mahatma Gandhi also
took placed. It started with Mahatma Gandhi’s condemnation of revolutionaries
in his presidential speech at Balgaum congress on 26th Dec,1924.
Bhagat Singh was keenly following the proceedings as a correspondent of Akali a
Punjabi paper being published from Amritsar.21
Gandhi ji tried to conclude the debate by pointing to the “three
great hindrances to swaraj”22
Besides fuller participation of masses including young men and women the need to
address was to “the discord
between Hindus and Mussalmans and the inhuman ban upon the suppressed classes”23
Bhagat Singh
agreed with the hindrances pointed out. Already by the end of 1924, the
discussions between him and his friends were on “ to put the lessons of
revolutionary history being taught”24 at National College Lahore to
practice. The discussion was also being held on “the role of youngmen in the
future struggle for independence.”25
This was also the
time for Bhagat Singh to have “a turning point in his revolutionary career.
Study was the cry that reverberated in the corridors of (his) mind. Study to
enable oneself to face the arguments advanced by opposition. Study to arm
oneself with arguments in favour of one’s cult.“26 This brought a
“remarkable modifications in his faith and convictions. The romance of the
violent methods alone which was so prominent amongst his predecessors was
replaced by serious ideas. No more mysticism, no more blind faith. Realism
became their cult. Use of force justifiable when resorted to as a matter of
terrible necessity: Non – violence as policy indispencible for all mass
movements. So much about methods. The most important thing was the clear
conception of the ideal for which we were to fight.”27 This was the
period from 1925 onward. He got ample time to study ideals of world revolution.
He studied “ the men who had successfully carried out revolution in their
countries.”28
20
.
Bhagat
Singh / Why I Am An Atheist/NBT/2006 page 28
21. THE COLLECTED
WORKS OF MAHATMA GANDHI VOL. 29 : 26 DECEMBER, 1924 page 489
22. . THE
COLLECTED WORKS OF MAHATMA GANDHI VOL. 30 : 12 Feb 1925 page 243
23. Ibid
24. Comrade Ram
Chander ,” History of Naujawan Bharat Sabha and H S R A” published by author
1978 p xiii.
25. ibid
26
Bhagat Singh / Why
I Am An Atheist/NBT/2006
27
ibid
28
ibid
The Naujawan
Bharat Sabha was founded in 1925 as per Comrade Ram Chander founder president.
Bhagat Singh being the founder secretary. After Gandhi’s arrest in 1922 and his
release in 1924 , the menace of Hindu Muslim riots has spread so much as to
involve even villages too. Hence the issue of communalism as well as was
addressed to be fought out of members mind. The solution offered was so
practical that it raised a powerful youth group. Thus it did address the
concerns declared by Mahatma Gandhi but with a revolutionary understanding.The
manifesto of sabha declared that”
Religious superstitions and bigotry
are a great hindrance in our progress. They have proved an obstacle in our way
and we must do away with them. “The thing that cannot bear free thought must
perish.” There are many other such weakness which we are to overcome. The
conservativeness and orthodoxy of the Hindus, extra-territorialism and
fanaticism of the Mohammedans and narrow-mindedness of all the communities in
general are always exploited by the foreign enemy. Young men with revolutionary
zeal from all communities are required for the task.”
It further declared that “Our
real battle is against our own disabilities which are exploited by the enemy and
some of our own people for their selfish motives.”
Sabha also declared socialism as its objective. It declared that sabha is to
work for “Revolution by the
masses and for the masses.” In other words, Swaraj for the 90%; Swaraj not only
attained by the masses but also for the masses.”29
This is an example creative revolutionary work of Bhagat Singh and his
colleagues where scientific understanding was applied to the reality and a
dynamic social force was generated. The history and achievement of members of
sabha proves it beyond doubt.
Bhagat Singh’s
record of vast study as to subjects, authors and literature and that too from
various cultures made him a true revolutionary. His definition of the
revolution was “complete overthrow of the existing social order and its
replacement by socialist order. The masses have to be “educated to create a
favorable atmosphere for the social programme. The struggles are best to train
and educate. 30”
As seen earlier
the movement was influenced by the Irish achievement so Bhagat Singh continued
his reassessment of the past position and analyzed the later developments of
Ireland as a revolutionary in following words.”Ireland had to be satisfied with
an unaccomplished movement. It has lessened the bonds of but not released the
Irish proletariat from the shackles of the Capitalist, native and foreign.
Ireland is a lesson to India and a warning – warning how nationalistic idealism
devoid of Revolutionary social basis although with all other circumstances in
its favour may lose itself in the shoals of a compromise with Imperialism. “Thus
overcome the attraction of Ireland as was it in the beginning. He
questioned,”Should India, if she could imitate Ireland still?” 31
Bhagat Singh as a
revolutionary not only announced that “when he is convinced of a scientific
principle, he lives it. “ He understood the basic scientific principles and
applied these to the realities around and was thus able to effect the
direction and outcome of the events qualitatively. As proclaimed by him that
revolution is a social change and for that is only possible by a “Scientific,
dynamic, social force“. We can see that his transcendence to a revolutionary was
complete. Humanism is basic motive force of a revolutionary. All his actions are
motivated by his deep concern for the weakest person in the society and it is
with his benefit in view.
29. Manifesto of
Naujawan Bharat Sabha , 6 April,1928 : www.shahidbhagatsingh.org
30.S irfan Habib “
To Make the Deaf Hear” Three Essays Collective 2007
31.
Bhagat
singh, “To the young political workers” 2 feb , 1931 :
www.shahidbhagatsingh.org/documents
The various
actions by Bhagat Singh need a further detailed analysis from the angle that
those were attack focused on the “institutions” .
On deeper
analysis one will find that all the four major actions of Bhagat Singh were
direct attack on the institutional arms of British colonial rule viz : “satanic
arm” the police , central Assembly which was used to sustain a fake hope of
achieving freedom, the jail system which was most dehumanized and was used to
demoralize and the Justice system which was used to perpetuate Imperial designs.
The end effect is that the British Imperialism’s hold was shaken. The sprit
kindled by him continued simmering.
The colonial C I
D in 1936 said that Bhagat Singh’s thesis called letter to political workers is
the active force for all the leftist movements active against British
Imperialism. It is his revolutionary legacy which perpetuates the hope of Indian
masses for better future of Indian masses.
Bhagat Singh
also wrote that all the activities of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
“ were directed towards an aim i.e identifying ourselves with the great national
movement as its military wing.”32 This statement is very significant
and if further analyzed and understood in the context of contemporary activities
of national movement his along with HSRA’s revolutionary contribution to
Freedom movement can be better appreciated.
Conclusion:
Here a brief
background of Bhagat Singh is discussed in an attempt to understand the various
influences and their effect on the decisions taken in the earlier phase when he
describe himself as romantic revolutionary. Further it is explored that in that
period what method he chose to transcend to become a true revolutionary.
32. ibid .
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