Thread by @SadaaShree

On #BhagatsinghJayanti a long thread on his early life, ideals and trial.

#BhagatSingh was descended from a family of Khalsa Sardars, who had fought in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army against the Pathans, and helped the empire to expand. For this contribution, they were awarded with a large piece of land.

His grandfather Sardar Arjun Singh was a landlord himself, who choose to oppose the British, and that nationalism in a way came down to Bhagat. Arjun Singh had 3 sons- Ajit Singh, Swaran Singh and Kishen Singh, all of whom were noted for their nationalism and integrity.

Ajit Singh, who was his paternal uncle, took an active part in the agitation led by Lala Lajpat Rai, and he was imprisoned under the draconian Regulation III of 1818. Bhagat Singh’s father Kishan Singh, and his other uncle Swaran Singh,too were arrested for this.

Bhagat Singh, was born on September 28, 1907, coincidentally, the same time his uncle Swaran Singh had died in prison. The nationalist spirit was something he had inherited from his family, his ancestors.

When he was just 14, Bhagat Singh was inspired by the Babbar Akalis, a group that advocated violent revolution as the only way out for independence. His father Kishen Singh, too helped out these revolutionaries actively, by means of money and other support.

It was a critical time in the history of the freedom struggle. The planned Ghadar uprising by Rash Behari Bose, Sachin Sanyal had failed. And the revolutionary movement was scattered all over.

While Mahatma Gandhi managed to capture the minds of freedom fighters, many were disappointed when he called off the Non Cooperation movement after Chauri Chaura. It was under such circumstances that Ram Prasad Bismil, Sachindranath Sanyal founded HRA in 1925.

While Mahatma Gandhi managed to capture the minds of freedom fighters, many were disappointed when he called off the Non Cooperation movement after Chauri Chaura. It was under such circumstances that Ram Prasad Bismil, Sachindranath Sanyal founded HRA in 1925.

The period between 1925-26 is when Bhagat began to build up his intellectual thought and knowledge. He joined the National College founded by Lala Lajpat Rai, and studied history, politics and economics in depth. #BhagatsinghJayanti

Along with Sukhdev Thapar and Bhagawati Charan, he formed a study circle and with the help of the Servants of People Society, got access to the Dwaraka Das library. The revolutionary movements in Russia, Ireland and Italy were the inspiration to Bhagat and his friends.

It was not just books, he also reached out to under trials, clandestinely met other revolutionaries. He also showed that he was a great organizer after 1926, when the Hindustan Republican Association was in a disarray following the crackdown after Kakori. #BhagatsinghJayanti

The hanging of Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Roshan Singh and Rajendra Lahiri for the Kakori conspiracy, had awakened the youth, they were furious at this blatant injustice. #BhagatsinghJayanti

In such a scenario, Bhagat felt it was necessary to revitalize the party, and he toured UP, Bihar and Punjab extensively in 1927 for this purpose. However he was arrested in Lahore, for his alleged involvement in a bomb blast during a Dussehra mela in 1926

For some time he was even put in solitary confinement. He however came out on bail later, but used this period to organize the Nau Jawan Bharat Sabha, and also began to celebrate the “Kakori Day” in memory of those hanged. #BhagatsinghJayanti

The Nau Jawan Sabha, became a foremost organization for the youth of Punjab, and he also began to deliver lectures on the Sikh youth who laid down their lives in the Lahore conspiracy cases of 1915 and 1916. #BhagatsinghJayanti

Contrary to popular opinion, Bhagat Singh was not really a believer in violence, or terrorism, for him it was the last resort. He believed that awakening people was the only way ought, and that both economic as well as political freedom were needed. #BhagatsinghJayanti

He was influenced by socialism, and the Russian revolution was his inspiration. He now decided it was time to galvanize HRA, that was in a state of hibernation and a meeting was held at Kanpur in July 1928. #BhagatsinghJayanti

Representatives came from Punjab, UP, Bihar, Bengal, Rajasthan, and Bhagat Singh emphasized a socialist ideology. Violence would be used only as a last resort, and the emphasis was more on awakening people and mass action.

He also changed the name from Hindustan Republican Association to Hindustan Socialist Republican Association( HSRA), and the organization would be divided into 2 groups- the active members and the supporters.
#BhagatsinghJayanti

The active group was involved with the task of collecting arms and ammunition, and indulging in mass action, while the supporters would collect funds, shelter revolutionaries and carry on the propaganda. #BhagatsinghJayanti #BhagatSingh

Bhagat himself was a part of the Central Committee, the Headquarters was now established at Jhansi in charge of Kundan Lal, while Chandrashekhar Azad headed the active group.
#BhagatsinghJayanti #BhagatSingh

It was also decided that the active members also called the HSR Army, would cut off all connections with family members, and avoid any religious symbols. This was why Bhagat cut off his hair, and shaved to disassociate himself from Sikhism. #BhagatsinghJayanti

HSRA was now shifted to Agra, where the members had to struggle through a life of hardship and want, yet they never gave up on their goal. A small library was also built up in Agra, and at the same time, Bhagat studied deeper and deeper on Socialism.
#BhagatsinghJayanti

Around the same time, Lala Lajpat Rai was grievously injured in a lathi charge during a protest against the Simon Comission. Lalaji died on Nov 17, 1928 due to the wounds he got from the lathi charge.
#BhagatsinghJayanti

Many held the then Sr.Superintendent of Police in Lahore, Mr. Scott and the Asst. Superintendent of Police, Saunders to be responsible. Saunders was shot dead on Dec 17, 1928, as a revenge and posters appeared all over the city stating “Saunders is dead, Lalaji is avenged”.

With the police now cracking down again, after Saunders murder, Bhagat Singh had to go into hiding with Azad and Rajguru. However the trio escaped from Lahore, with Bhagat disguised as a British gentleman, Rajguru as his orderly and Azad as a Brahmin pundit.
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Bhagat now began to reach out to the revolutionaries in Bengal, to establish a connection as well as to coordinate the armed revolution better. However the Bengal group, differed with Bhagat’s socialist outlook, though both had the same interest, the freedom of the nation.

He also established a new branch of HSRA at Kolkata, which was in charge of a Bihari member, and around the same time learnt how to make bombs too. Soon with the help of the experts, Agra, Saharanpur and Lucknow began to emerge as bomb manufacturing centers.

April 8, 1929- Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt, threw the bombs in the Assembly at Delhi. The bombs though caused no damage, it was more a symbolic protest against a bill that sought to stop labor agitations. #BhagatSinghJayanti #bhagatsingh

Both men were armed with fully loaded revolvers, they could have as well shot the officers and escaped. But both of them calmly laid down their weapons and surrendered to the police, raising slogans of “Inquilaab Zindabad”( Long Live the Revolution).

And they threw pamphlets of the Hindustan Republican Socialist Association, quoting the French anarchist Valiant “It takes a loud voice to make the deaf hear”.
#BhagatSinghJayanti #bhagatsingh

The backdrop to this event was the massive strike by the mill workers of Mumbai, agains the working conditions and owners. The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, saw this as a historical opportunity to identify with the labor and peasant movements.

The Congress then was typically a party of the borgueiouse and the elite, the HSRA, on the other hand identified itself with the youth, the workers and peasants. #BhagatSinghJayanti #bhagatsingh

Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt wanted to make the voice heard clear, and that was the reason behind, throwing the bombs. He along with Dutt wanted to put across their view point in court, reason why they willingly surrendered to the police. #BhagatSingh

Actually much before they made their statement in the Court of Sessions, copies of it were sent to all newspapers in India and even outside India like Pravda of Russia and La Humanite of Paris. #BhagatSingh

The Nau Jawan Bharat Sabha that was founded by Bhagat Singh himself, did the publicity work for the Assembly Bomb outrage case. The statement was distributed all over India, short biographies of Bhagat Singh along with Dutt were circulated to all leading newspapers.

There was a reason why Bhagat Singh went on a hunger strike for the prisoners, before the Sessions Court started the trial, he wanted to make the public aware of their terrible plight. #BhagatSingh

The prison conditions were appaling, and that is an understatement, prisoners either turned mad or died in captivity. Most prisoners were kept in solitary confinement away from other prisoners, to break their spirit, and to avoid outbreaks. #BhagatSinghJayanti #bhagatsingh

While Bhagat Singh received somewhat better treatment, he was well aware of the harsh conditions under which most prisoners labored. He had nothing to gain personally from launching a hunger strike, he knew that sooner or later, he would be prosecuted for the murder of Saunders.

His demand was that all political prisoners should be allowed facilities for reading, newspapers, better light and a better diet. What he asked was for the bare necessities to prisoners, which was practicable and could be worked out. #BhagatSinghJayanti #bhagatsingh

The authorities initially dismissed Bhagat Singh’s fast, feeling he would not be able to withstand the rigors. However when Jatin Das, joined in the fast unto death, it spread among the undertrials too, and soon the strike in Lahore became news all over the nation. #BhagatSingh

The Punjab Government was forced to accede to some of the demands, for instance giving medical facilities to some of the undertrials. Jatin Das meanwhile went into a critical stage following his fast unto death. #BhagatSingh #BhagatSinghJayanti

And it was only Bhagat Singh’s intervention that made him break the fast temporarily. He was too weak however by that time. With the authorities however refusing to release Jatin Das, the hunger strike continued, along with Bhagat Singh, Dutt and others.

Sadly it had no effect, and Jatin Das died fasting in prison. With Jatin Da’s death, Bhagat Singh and his comrades had to give up the hunger strike. #BhagatSingh

With the trial about to begin, Bhagat Singh along with Sukhdev and Bijoy Kumar Sinha, formed a small group which would serve to propagate their ideas, during the trial. #BhagatSinghJayanti

They first made persistent efforts to improve the rights of the under trials, through their demands and were able to extract an honorable treatment from authorities. Chairs,newspapers, tables were provided to undertrials and they were recognized as political prisoners.

Bhagat Singh along with others, also managed to secure the rights of people to visit the undertrials regularly at Lahore Central Jail, and this was to ensure that the public would be impacted by the proceedings.

The under trials never missed an opportunity to demonstrate on some occasion or other be it Lala Lajpat Rai’s death anniversary or the First of May or the anniversary of the Kakori conspiracy, the main intent was to send the message to the public in whatever way they could.

Specially trained Pathans were used to mercilessly beat the undertrials, Bhagat Singh himself was singled out for the worst treatment. 8 Pathans fell on Bhagat Singh, and beat him up in full view of the public, and that had the desired effect.

The public outrage against the treatment to Bhagat Singh hit a fever pitch, massive demonstrations occured. And soon the court authorities realizing that Bhagat and his comrades would rather die than be bought to prison in handcuffs, revoked the orders.

Faced with growing resentment and ever increasing support for Bhagat Singh and his comrades, the Government ultimately came up with the Lahore Conspiracy Case Ordinance, and promulgated it on 1930. #BhagatSinghJayanti #bhagatsingh

This only bought in more sympathy for Bhagat Singh and others from public, now being seen as the victims of an unjust and unfair trial. Bhagat Singh now proposed that the undertrials should refuse to accept the court proceedings.

On the morning of Oct 7, 1930 a special messenger came to jail from the Special Tribunal court, carrying the execution orders of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Rajguru.

The day of the execution was not announced, and special armed forces were stationed around to prevent an emergency like situation. Massive protests broke out all over India on the verdict, meetings were held slamming the ex-parte trial and the harsh sentences.

Lahore erupted in fury, the Lahore Students Union called for a complete hartal, educational institutions were boycotted. A professor and 80 students in Lahore’s DAV College were lathi charged. #BhagatSinghJayanti

The protesters raised slogans praising Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, a resolution was passed in Bradlaugh Hall congratulating the 3 men for their sacrifice. Lala Lajpat Rai’s daugther Smt. Parvati Devi, organized another demonstration outside Morigate in Lahore.

A special Defence Comitte decided to file an appeal in the Privy Council for promulgation of ordinance on ultra vires ground. This Comittee was formed way back in 1929, to collect money for the undertrials and also help the families of the accused.

Another was to make the world aware of a revolutionary socialist party in India, especially England’s enemies. Also Bhagat Singh was aware that the Congress might come up with some kind of sham settlement with the Govt, so he wanted enough time to drag. #BhagatSinghJayanti

Following the failure at the Privy Council, a movement had started to get the sentences on Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru commuted to life imprisonment. Mahatma Gandhi did make an appeal to save them from hanging, but he was not in favor of their methods.

Hence, though we praise the courage of these brave men, we should never countenance their activities. Our dharma is to swallow our anger, abide by the discipline of non-violence and carry out our duty.- Mahatma Gandhi on #BhagatSingh execution

Youngsters led demonstrations in support of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru and against the hangings.Even in England, the sentence evoked widespread criticism, and even the Viceroy too was not much in favor of it. #BhagatSinghJayanti

However the Congress party, suspended the agitation all of a sudden, it was nothing short of surrender.And finally on March 23, 1931, the 3 men were scheduled to hang from the gallows. #BhagatSingh #BhagatSinghJayanti

And on March 23, 1931 at 7:33 PM to the cries of Inquilaab Zindabad, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged. Nay, the 3 brave men, gave their lives smilingly for India’s freedom. #BhagatSingh #Sukhdev #Rajguru #LestWeForget

#BhagatSingh #Sukhdev #Rajguru gave their lives smilingly for India’s freedom, they had exposed the corruption and tyranny of British rule, they had managed to make the deaf hear and rouse a nation. #Salute to the heroes.

On his Jayanti today, pay tribute to #BhagathSingh who laid down his life for our freedom at a young age. And thanks for following this long thread on mine on him.
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My article here on #BhagatSingh on his Jayanti today do check out and share. #BhagatSinghJayanti

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My podcast here on #BhagatSingh on his Jayanti today do check out and share. #BhagatSinghJayanti
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