Shaheed Bhagat Singh: The 23-Year-Old Revolutionary Whose Fire Still Burns - A Call to Remember Our Heroes

Jeet - Jatinder Singh, Jadetimes Contributor

J. Singh is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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countercurrents.org

Today marks the birth anniversary of one of India's greatest heroes, yet how many of us paused to remember the young man who gave his life at just 23 years old for our freedom? How many of us know the name of the mother who gave birth to this lion, or the father who raised this revolutionary tiger? This collective forgetfulness is not just tragic, it's a betrayal of the sacrifice that purchased our liberty. Shaheed Bhagat Singh was not just the son of Punjab; he was the son of Bharat Mata, the son of every Indian who breathes free air today. His story deserves to echo in every household, his principles should guide every young heart, and his sacrifice should burn bright in our collective memory.

The Making of a Revolutionary: Early Life and Influences .Born on September 28, 1907, in Banga village of Lyallpur district (now in Pakistan), Bhagat Singh entered a world already ablaze with the fire of freedom. His father, Sardar Kishan Singh Sandhu, and his uncle, Sardar Ajit Singh, were prominent freedom fighters who had already tasted British imprisonment for their patriotic activities. His mother, Vidyavati Kaur, was the woman of steel who raised a boy destined to shake the very foundations of the British Empire.

The Sandhu family was no ordinary household. When other children played with toys, young Bhagat Singh played with stories of martyrdom and revolution. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, when he was merely 12 years old, seared his soul with an unquenchable thirst for justice. He collected soil from that blood-soaked ground and kept it as a sacred reminder of British brutality.

The Evolution of a Revolutionary Mind Bhagat Singh's transformation from a patriotic boy to a revolutionary was systematic and intellectual. Unlike many freedom fighters of his era, he didn't just react emotionally to British oppression, he studied it, analyzed it, and developed a comprehensive philosophy to combat it.

At Lahore's National College, he immersed himself in the writings of Marx, Lenin, and other revolutionary thinkers. He read voraciously in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, and English, developing a sophisticated understanding of socialism, nationalism, and the global struggle against imperialism. His reading list included works by Bakunin, Russell, Gorky, and Upton Sinclair,books that shaped his vision of an independent, egalitarian India.

The Formation of Revolutionary Organizations. In 1925, Bhagat Singh helped establish the Naujawan Bharat Sabha, an organization dedicated to awakening revolutionary consciousness among Indian youth. The Sabha's manifesto, largely written by Bhagat Singh, called for complete independence, not just dominion status, making it one of the most radical political documents of its time.

He later joined the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), alongside revolutionaries like Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Ram Prasad Bismil. This organization became the vehicle through which Bhagat Singh would execute his most audacious acts of resistance.

The Lahore Conspiracy Case: A Calculated Act of Defiance The event that catapulted Bhagat Singh to national fame was the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi on April 8, 1929. Alongside Batukeshwar Dutt, he threw non-lethal smoke bombs in the assembly hall, not to kill, but to "make the deaf hear."

Their deliberate decision to court arrest rather than escape revealed the sophisticated nature of their protest. They wanted to use the British court system as a platform to expose the hypocrisy of colonial rule and educate the masses about their cause.

The Prison Years: Transformation Behind Bars Bhagat Singh's 116 days in prison before his execution were perhaps his most productive. He used this time to write extensively, producing essays and letters that remain relevant to this day. His famous essay "Why I Am An Atheist" showcased his philosophical evolution and rational thinking.

He and his fellow prisoners undertook a 64-day hunger strike demanding better conditions for Indian political prisoners, the same rights afforded to European political prisoners. This strike nearly killed him but demonstrated his unwavering commitment to equality and justice.

The Philosophy That Lives On: Lessons for Today's Youth Bhagat Singh's legacy extends far beyond his martyrdom. His thoughts and principles offer timeless guidance for modern youth:

1. Critical Thinking Over Blind Faith "It is easy to kill individuals but you cannot kill the ideas. Great empires crumbled while the ideas survived." Bhagat Singh believed in the power of rational thought over superstition and blind following.

2. Education as Liberation He viewed education not as mere literacy but as a tool for social transformation. "Study so that you can give a new direction to your country and a new thought to the world."

3. Sacrifice for Greater Good At 23, when most young people today are still figuring out their careers, Bhagat Singh chose to sacrifice his life for future generations. "If the deaf are to hear, the sound has to be very loud."

4. Nationalism Despite coming from a Sikh family, Bhagat Singh championed a vision of India where religion would not divide people. His closest associates included Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, proving that patriotism transcends religious boundaries.

5. Social Justice Along with Independence He envisioned not just a free India but a just India. His socialist ideologies emphasized the need to eliminate economic inequality alongside political freedom.

The Tragic End and Eternal Legacy On March 23, 1931, at 7:30 PM, Bhagat Singh, along with Rajguru and Sukhdev, was executed by hanging in Lahore Central Jail. They were just 23, 22, and 23 years old respectively. The British administration carried out the execution in secrecy, advancing it by 11 hours to avoid public demonstrations.

Legend says that as they walked to the gallows, the three revolutionaries sang "Rang de basanti chola" (Color my robe yellow/saffron) and raised slogans of "Inquilab Zindabad" (Long Live Revolution). Even death could not dim their spirit or silence their voice.

The Forgotten Heroes: A National Shame Today, as we scroll through social media, sharing memes and trending topics, how many of us pause to honor Shaheed Bhagat Singh on his birth anniversary? How many young Indians can tell you the name of his mother, Vidyavati Kaur, or his father, Kishan Singh? How many know about his intellectual contributions beyond the simplified narrative of bomb-throwing?

This amnesia is not just unfortunate, it's dangerous. A nation that forgets its heroes loses its soul. A generation that doesn't know the price of freedom is doomed to lose it.

A Call to Action: Remember, Share, and Learn Today, I make an urgent appeal to every reader, every social media user, every young Indian: Share Shaheed Bhagat Singh's photograph on your social media. But don't just share, read about him, understand him, and internalize his message.

He is not just Punjab's son, he belongs to every Indian who values freedom, justice, and equality. His sacrifice was not just for independence from British rule; it was for India he dreamed of an India where every citizen could live with dignity and opportunity.

The Living Legacy: What Would Bhagat Singh Say Today? If Bhagat Singh were alive today, what would he think of the India he died for? Would he be proud of our achievements, or would he be disappointed by our divisions? Would he celebrate our technological progress, or would he be concerned about the growing inequality?

His writings suggest he would challenge us to think critically about these questions. He would urge today's youth to channel their energy not into mindless consumption but into building a better society. He would remind us that freedom is not a destination but a continuous journey of vigilance and improvement.

The Torch Passes to You Bhagat Singh's revolution was incomplete when he died. The torch of his ideals, critical thinking, social justice, nationalism, and unwavering integrity now passes to each new generation.

Today's youth don't need to throw bombs or court martyrdom. But they can honor Bhagat Singh's memory by:

●     Thinking critically about social and political issues

●     Standing against injustice wherever they find it

●     Working for social equality in their communities

●     Maintaining values that unite rather than divide

●     Serving the nation through their chosen professions

●     Reading and learning continuously to broaden their perspectives

The Fire That Must Never Die As we observe Shaheed Bhagat Singh's 118 birth anniversary, let us pledge to keep his memory alive not just as a historical figure, but as a living inspiration. Let us share his story, study his thoughts, and strive to build the India he envisioned.

The British could execute his body, but they could never kill his ideas. Those ideas live on in every act of courage, every stand for justice, every moment when an Indian chooses principle over convenience.

Bhagat Singh was 23 when he embraced death for his motherland. Today, let every 23-year-old ask themselves: What am I doing for my country? His sacrifice demands nothing less than our complete commitment to the values he died for.

Inquilab Zindabad. Shaheed Bhagat Singh Amar Rahe..

On this 118 birth anniversary, let us pledge to remember our heroes not just with posts and hashtags, but with actions that honor their sacrifice. Share this article, but more importantly, share his ideals with the next generation. The revolution he started must continue in our hearts, minds, and deeds.