Context
- Recently, the honourable Prime Minister paid tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh on his Jayanti (28 September), noting that his courage and valour gave a new edge to the freedom movement.
About Shaheed Bhagat Singh
- Born: 28 September 1907, at Banga village, Punjab (now in Pakistan).
- Associations: Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), Naujawan Bharat Sabha and Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).
- Ideology: Revolutionary nationalism with socialist leanings.
- Popularised slogan: “Inquilab Zindabad”.
- Martyrdom: Executed on 23 March 1931 at Lahore Jail, along with Sukhdev and Rajguru.
Revolutionary Organisations
- Naujawan Bharat Sabha (1926): Youth organisation founded by Bhagat Singh in Lahore to mobilise youth for the freedom struggle.
- HSRA (1928): HRA was renamed as Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, adding the socialist goal; associated with Chandrashekhar Azad and Sukhdev.
Key Events and Facts associated with Shaheed Bhagat Singh
- Saunders Case (1928): J.P. Saunders was killed to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, injured in a police lathi-charge during the protest against the Simon Commission.
- Central Legislative Assembly Bombing (8 April 1929): Bomb thrown by Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt against the Public Safety Bill and the Trade Disputes Bill; aim was “to make the deaf hear”, not to kill.
- Lahore Conspiracy Case: Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were tried in the Saunders case and sentenced to death.
- He Gave a new edge to the freedom movement through courage and valour.
- His spirit of sacrifice for the honour of the nation remains a symbol of the courage and determination of Indian youth.
- 23 March is observed as Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs’ Day).
Conclusion
Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary activism through the Naujawan Bharat Sabha and HSRA, and his sacrifice in 1931, made him a lasting symbol of youth courage in the freedom struggle.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC Prelims Saheed Bhagat Singh |