Sincere, thoughtful, and courageous work for humanity—for justice, equality, and a society free of exploitation—always brings great results, even if the impact takes time. This is among the most enduring lessons from the efforts of Shahid Bhagat Singh and his comrades during India's freedom movement (1924–31).
While Bhagat Singh's courage is rightly celebrated, his thoughtful side is often neglected. A vital part of his story is the constant study, consultation, and reflection that shaped his evolving programme. This led him and his colleagues, still in their late teens and early twenties, to raise mature issues—not just India's freedom but the creation of an exploitation-free world based on justice, equality, and fraternity, requiring sustained struggle against imperialism.
The years around 1924 were difficult. After Mahatma Gandhi withdrew the non-cooperation movement following incidents of violence, uncertainty gripped the freedom struggle. Colonial rulers exploited this to divide people. It was Bhagat Singh and his companions whose courageous initiatives restored unity and enthusiasm, inspiring the demand for complete independence.
At just 23, Bhagat Singh, along with Sukhdev and Rajguru, was hanged in 1931 after trials marked by glaring violations of justice. Nearly a century later, he remains one of the most powerful symbols of justice. Yet his immense popularity has a darker side—some untrue to his ideals misuse his name for selfish ends. Clarity on his commitments is therefore essential.
His strongest emphasis was on a society based on equality, justice, and fraternity. Since imperialism was the biggest hurdle, he was firmly committed to complete independence, and his actions helped push the mainstream Congress in that direction. His wide reading gave him a strong sense of history, leading him to oppose imperialism globally, even as India's freedom remained dearest to him.
The society he envisioned had no room for discrimination or violence based on caste, religion, or colour. He spoke strongly for dalit liberation and unity of all faiths, calling fraternity of all humanity the noblest objective. He was a strong supporter of justice-based world peace and opposed all forms of exploitation, favouring an enlightened socialism that values liberty and human rights. These commitments should guide how we evaluate those claiming his legacy.
India's freedom movement had several streams that flowed together. Bhagat Singh's stream contributed greatly—infusing vigour and urgency into the Congress-led movement, while Congress leaders sometimes helped revolutionaries. His jail struggles, including prolonged fasts, were not unlike Gandhi's.
With hardly any resources and working in adverse conditions, Bhagat Singh and his colleagues created massive impact through personal courage, noble conduct, and careful planning. Bhagat Singh as strategist played a significant role, and the impact of their fasts was seen in the Congress moving rapidly toward complete independence.
They made clear they did not believe in indiscriminate violence. Bhagat Singh wrote that non-violence is "indispensable for all mass movements," while force is justifiable only "as a matter of terrible necessity." During the trial, he and B.K. Dutt stated, "We hold human life sacred beyond words." Revolution, they clarified, did not mean the cult of "bomb and pistol." They emphasized working continuously with workers and peasants.
They stressed that basic changes were needed in a system rooted in injustice. Capitalism and imperialism had to be confronted to remove the causes of exploitation. Only then could real, stable peace based on justice emerge. World fraternity rooted in justice and equality was emphasized.
Bhagat Singh gave high priority to ending sectarian conflicts based on narrow religious interpretations. He worked actively in Punjab, Delhi, and Kanpur, collaborating with figures like Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi. The Naujawan Bharat Sabha helped check communalism.
He also prioritized Dalit mobilisation to end discrimination, calling upon dalits to unite and challenge injustice, while warning against manipulation by the capitalist-imperialist bureaucracy. He urged youth to mobilise workers and peasants—the real strength of the movement—in city slums and village huts.
On his insistence, their organisation was renamed from Hindustan Republican Association to Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, emphasizing socialism.
All this remains highly relevant today. It is amazing that Bhagat Singh, as leading ideologue, formulated such a mature agenda at just 20 to 23, despite constant activity and jail time, studying and writing extensively. These ideas inspired millions because of the immense sufferings he and his comrades faced with courage and nobility. This combination makes Bhagat Singh one of India's greatest freedom fighters and one of history's most inspiring figures of liberation.
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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include When the Two Streams Met, Planet in Peril, A Day in 2071, and Man over Machine. Website: bharatdogra.in
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