Bhagat Singh remains one of the most inspiring freedom fighters in the liberation struggles of countries that resisted colonial rule for centuries. More than 95 years after he sacrificed his life alongside fellow valiant Indian freedom fighters like Sukhdev and Rajguru, his inspirational legacy extends far beyond India.
It is therefore not surprising that several individuals committed to justice in neighboring Pakistan also regard Bhagat Singh as an inspirational figure. This is especially true in Lahore, the leading Pakistani city that was the center of many of Bhagat Singh’s most significant activities—long before the partition of India.
Among those who have worked tirelessly to preserve the memory of Bhagat Singh under difficult conditions in Lahore, Imtiaz Rasheed Qureshi stands out. For several years, he has been striving to uphold Bhagat Singh’s ideals and promote inter-faith harmony, humanity, justice, peace in South Asia, and stronger people-to-people ties across the region. As chairman of the Pakistan-based Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation, and as an advocate, he had even moved the court that originally sentenced Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru to death during colonial times—seeking a review of whether that judgment was erroneous.
It is deeply unfortunate that, according to his statements, on September 3 at around 8 PM, while Qureshi was on his way home in Lahore, unidentified men in a car intercepted him, forced him into their vehicle, tortured him, and inflicted injuries. During the assault, they repeatedly told him: “We will teach you a lesson for working on Bhagat Singh, for helping India and harming Pakistan.” They also threatened to kill him if he did not cease his work related to the memory and inspiration of Shahid Bhagat Singh. After holding him captive for several hours, they abandoned him and fled.
Qureshi, who has never done anything to harm his country, its people, or his religion, may have been targeted for challenging the opinion of a very influential figure in Pakistan who insisted on labeling Shahid Bhagat Singh a terrorist. This individual made that statement in the context of efforts by justice-oriented groups to rename a heritage site in Lahore after Bhagat Singh. However, as any serious student of Bhagat Singh’s life and writings knows, while he may have participated in highly selective violent acts under certain circumstances—sometimes deliberately planned to minimize harm—he also strongly emphasized nonviolence, world peace, and fraternity. Bhagat Singh explicitly wrote that “nonviolence as a policy [is] indispensable for all mass movements,” and that force is justified only when “resorted to as a matter of terrible necessity.”
During their trial, Bhagat Singh and his equally respected comrade and close friend B.K. Dutt stated, “We hold human life sacred beyond words.” When asked to define revolution, they said it was certainly not the cult of the bomb or the pistol. In a message to students and youth, Bhagat Singh said he would not advise them to take up arms; instead, he wanted them to work among farmers and laborers. He also described the concept of universal human fraternity as a very noble ideal. He and his colleagues repeatedly stressed harmony and peace among people of different faiths.
All of this is far removed from any form of terrorism. On the contrary, Bhagat Singh was a firm and courageous opponent of imperialism and an equally resolute advocate for rebuilding human society on the foundations of justice and equality—principles that remain highly relevant today.
Therefore, those who oppose creating memorials in his name in Lahore or elsewhere should reconsider their stance after carefully studying what Bhagat Singh and his comrades truly stood for. Lahore is a city of central importance in Bhagat Singh’s life—he was educated there, formed youth organizations there, conducted much of his work there, and finally experienced his memorable jail life and trial, which he and his colleagues used in inspiring ways to expose colonial injustices, mobilize the people, and strengthen the freedom movement.
Thus, Qureshi’s efforts to preserve the legacy of Bhagat Singh are certainly relevant and important and deserve widespread support. It was a positive step to recently open the Bhagat Singh Gallery to the public, and this initiative should be carried forward.
Meanwhile, Qureshi has stated that he will not abandon his work due to intimidation or threats. He has also called upon the government and human rights organizations to conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the assault. The concerned authorities must take all necessary steps to ensure his protection, and support for his safety should be expressed broadly.
—-
Prof. Jagmohan Singh is Chairman of the Shahid Bhagat Singh Centenary Foundation and a nephew of Bhagat Singh. Bharat Dogra is Honorary Convener of the Campaign to Save Earth Now
Comments
Post a Comment
NOTE: Hateful, abusive comments won't be published. -- Editor