BHAGAT SINGH AND HIS IDEAS

Author(s): Nirmal Singh

Source: The Indian Journal of Political Science , OCT. - DEC., 2009, Vol. 70, No. 4 (OCT. -
DEC., 2009), pp. 1121-1129
Published by: Indian Political Science Association

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/42744024

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The Indian Journal of Political Science
Vol. LXX, No. 4, Oct.-Dec., 2009, pp. 1 1 21-1 1 29

BHAGAT SINGH AND HIS IDEAS

Nirmal Singh

Bhagat Singh is the symbol of courage, intellect, sacrifice and virility. He got the nationalist
spirit in legacy from his forefathers. He was well versed in the literature, Indian culture
and tradition as well as in the international revolutionary movements and biographies
and autobiographies of famous rebels. Bhagat Singh changed the face of romantic
revolutionary movement to the realistic one. His intellect and vision can be seen in his
ideas on revolution, socialism, violence, religion and way of life. His image never got
eclipsed by the propaganda of imperialists and their followers, who projected him as
terrorist and anarchist.

Bhagat Singh is today not a person but a symbol. He symbolized the spirit of revolt
that has taken possession of country.
Subhash Chandra Bose

Bhagat Singh was not a devotee of non-violence, but he did not subscribe to
religion of violence. . . . These heroes had conquered the fear of death. Let us
to them a thousand times for their heroism.

M.K. Gandhi

Shaheed Bhagat Singh, the name synonymous to death-defying courage, intellect

and sacrifice is written on the heart of each and every Indian. He was one of the most heroic
figures in Indian Independence Struggle. The saga of his revolutionary and brave works
always remained a source of inspiration for Indian youth. He was the revolutionary ahead of
his times. He gave a new turn to the freedom movement. In the words of Sohan Singh Josh,
"Bhagat Singh and his comrades were national revolutionaries, who wanted to drive out the
British rulçrs and establish independence and socialism in India. The British imperialists, the
enemies of Indian freedom, labeled them as 'terrorist or 'anarchist' in order to defame them. . ."1

Though, officials called him the terrorist, yet he had changed the outlook of radical nationalist
movement from mere terrorism to revolutionary. He sacrificed his life to prove that Indians'
blood is not yet frozen. Before talking about his ideas, we must take note of his short but
highly inspiring life.

Bhagat Singh was born into a Sikh (Sandhu) family to Sardar Kishan Singh Sandhu
and Vidyavati on 27 September 1907 in the Khatkar Kalan village near Banga at chak no.
105 G.B. in the Lyallpur (now in Pakistan) in undivided Punjab in British India. Due to the
courage and loyalty of his ancestors towards Maharaja Ranjit Singh, his family was rewarded
with considerable land.2 The Spirit of Patriotism, which pushed him to cultivate guns, was in
his blood, as his grandfather S. Arjun Singh, father S. Kishan Singh and Uncles S. Ajit
Singh3 and S. Swaran Singh (died in jail) had also taken part in freedom movement in one
way or other. S. Kishan Singh and S. Ajit Singh were in jail when Bhagat Singh was born. Hi
Grand father and father were accused of helping secretly organized revolutionaries in the

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The Indian Journal of Political Science 1122

eyes of bureaucracy

Ho had visited *he of r^assac-e at J^ll

atrocity of Britishe: ¿> ha j deeply affected h¡s
idea to drive the Britishers out of India. In earl
form the revolutionary movement of 'Babb
sacrifices. The historical sacrifices in Lahore
mind to take the path of patriotism. In the age
or Mahatma Gandhi but got disappointed wh
Cbauri, called back for the movement When
got in close connection with the revolutionar
was then headed by Ram Prasad Bismil6 and
secretary of Naujwan Bharat Sabha. In 1928,
development or governance under Governme
reforms. While protesting against commiss
cause his death after one month. To avenge th
his associate Rajguru killed Assistant Superint
Singh) fied from Lahore. Thereafter, on the lin
"A big bang is needed to make the deaf hear", o
Dutta (B. K. Dutta) threw bombs in the Cent
session to pass the Defense of India Act, whi
any person and enquire him. After throwing th
Singh and B.K. Dutta courted arrest to pu
proceedings of the case. Both, Bhagat Singh and
Assembly Bomb Case. In the meanwhile, the app
In this case Bhagat Singh, Sukh Dev siiapa
death. In jail Bhagat Singh started iiunger strik
for more than 60 days (63)®. On the eariy
associates Rajguru and Sukh Dev were hange
of Sutlej River in Lahore.

!n very short period of political struggle, Bh

political realities so well that he was regarde
had taken part in the Non-Cooperation Movem
his college days, he had advanced from Gan
Bhagat Singh, as he himself claimed, was a com
views, he was sometime regarded as autocrat
I was called an autocrat."9 In fact, Bhagat Sin
life. When he was under the strict police obser
with revolutionary party accused for Kakori Co

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Bhagat Singh and His Ideas 1123
Bhagat Singh got a chance to study the literat
say, "The sword of revolution is sharpened at
texts from communism, anarchism, socialism
established theories critically but also improve
economic situation of India. He argued, "'study' w
of my mind. Study to enable yourself to face
to arm yourself with the arguments in favou
intense study of Socialism, Anarchism, World
revolutionaries like Lenin, Garibaldi etc Bhaga
from romantic revolutionary to a Realist. He
methods. ..was replaced by serious ideas. No m
became our cult."12 Bhagat Singh had an analytic
ideas. He argued while describing the import
"you go and oppose the prevailing faith, you
.generally believed to be above criticism because
your argument shall force the multitude to d
stagnation."13 He exemplified Mahatma Gandh
and to his words, in each field, every one agr
convinced or not you must say, 'yes, that's true'
It is rather too obviously reactionary."14 For
life."15 He desired that each man must questio
considerable reasoning, prove true they must be
of life based on the onslaughts of reason should

If we wish to describe the religion of Bhaa

religion". But what he had written in 'why ! a
September 1931 , is a masterpiece of reason a
he dealt with the motive and falsification of
mere 23.

While in his early teenage, Bhagat Singh, thanks to his grand father and father, was
an Arya Smajist. His belief in religious ideas got transformed, as his intellect flourish, due to
his deep study and experience of socio-political and economic situation of Bntish India. He
wrote in his article, "My atheism is not of so recent origin. I had stopped believing in God
when I was an obscure young man."16 During his college days, under the influence of Babbar
Akalies, he used to have unshorn and undipped long hair. Bhagat Singh's atheism was not
a result of his association with revolutionary party, as he himself admitted that in the
revolutionary leaflet distributed throughout India on 28 January 1925, full paragraph was
devoted to Almighty God.17

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The Indian Journal of Political Science 1 1 24

Till 1926, Bhagat Singh fully got converted in

it baseless, the existence of God as creator, guid

While proving himself a true atheist, Bhagat

when he was arrested for the first time. He di
Wrote, "After great consideration I decided not lead
I never did. That was the real test and I came ou
last days. He was not in favour of praying for
sacrificing life for a common cause is much grea
Bhagat Singh's own words, "A short life of struggl
courage to take it in that light."19 He claimed that
man in hard time but when a person starts belie
any danger without the psychological and mythical

As far as the problem of communalism is rel

Aur Unka llaj" printed in Kirti in 1 927, Bhagat Sing
tension would persist. He was aware of the havo
would further work to India. He blamed leadership
and media for supplying sensation, which cause

Bhagat Singh was in favour of separation of reli

a private affair of a person, which had nothing to
religion is separated from politics, we can come tog
aloof from the religious point of view."20

The Important thing in Bhagat Singh was that h

Indian outlook. He was not any Utopian socialist bu
and revolutionary activities, was based on his de
movements through out the world. In his little
literature and history and acquainted with socia
ideas about radical change gave a new turn to I
proposed to change the name of 'Hindustan Re
Republican Association'.21

In his statement in court, Bhagat Singh claim

being the most necessary element of society, ar
their labour and deprived of their elementary right
parasites of society, squander millions on their w
disparity of chance are heading towards chaos...
saved in time, shall crumble. Radical changes are
realize this, to reorganize society on socialist ba

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Bhagat Singh and His Ideas 1125
'in which the sovereignty of the proletariat should

Bhagat Singh was in favour of establishing th

of the aims of 'Naujawan Bharat Sabha' was to est
and peasants of India. Bhagat Singh was critica
bourgeois leadership. When Bhagat Singh was i
wrote, "The Congress seeks to gain some power
exercise pressure on England. But this way does not
and peasants of India. The nation can wage a su
organized workers, kisans and common people. .
not only from foreign yoke but also from the yok

Bhagat Singh's view about socialist state was

within. He was so committed for Socialist Democ
revolutionary prisoners, he said, "Friends, this mee
be able to meet again. When you complete you
involved in worldly affairs. Unless you drive out t
democracy, don't sit comfortably. This is my las

Bhagat Singh was neither an ordinary terrorist

he was a romantic revolutionary rather he was a rev
and revolution itself. His ideas about revolution and

willing to bring the socialist order with the help o

assembly bomb case, Bhagat Singh described rev
economic and political order of the day. Mr. Asif A
Dutta, "Revolution does not necessarily involve sangui
vendetta. It is not a cult of bomb and pistol. By, 'R
things, which is based on manifest injustice, m
exploitation of real producers of labour, would cru
cleared, "By 'Revolution', we mean the ultimate est
not be threatened by such breakdown."27 He ideali
beings. For more deep meaning of revolution, the
Association' must be read to which Bhagat Singh w

This manifesto on the question of revolutio

which nature loves and without which there can be
affairs. Revolution is not a philosophy of despai
be anti-God but is not certainly anti-man... Revolu
is thought."28 In a reply to Shri Ramanand Chatter
editorial note misinterpreted the slogan of 'Lo

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The Indian Journal of Political Science 1126

explained the slogan and revolution. It was publi

It reads, "The sense in which the word Revoluti
longing for a change for the better. The people
order of things and begin to tremble at the very id
that needs to be replaced by the revolutionary spir
hand and the whole humanity is led astray by th
leads to stagnation and paralysis in human progr
permeate the soul of humanity, so that the reaction
to check its eternal onward march. Old order sh
to new, so that one 'good' order may not corrupt th
shout 'Long Live Revolution'."

Bhagat Singh was not only a nationalist patri

outlook. While talking about revolution he not only
it as a part of world wide cry for the end of ex
capitalists. Regarding the people's movement all
rouse to the consciousness that basic rights of a
race, caste, color, nationality and country of one, h
their joint struggle. They should therefore to er
religious prejudices, differences and distinctions an
of governance."29 One of the aims of 'Naujawan
Singh was, was to render help to all social, econ
communal sentiments, going on in any part of the

Bhagat Singh was determined to bring revolutio

in a letter from prison published in Punjab Kesri on
with ideals and ideology. He was convinced by th
Association' that only bombs would not help in brin
to the cause if not used timely. Only violence could
need for the purpose. If masses would stand for
of socialist society only then the revolution fo
achieved. For him, force was the answer to forc
force in light of the cause for which it is used. He
'violence' and is, therefore, morally unjustifiable, b
legitimate cause, it has its moral justification."3
Conference held at Lahore on 19 October 1929,
the youth to take pistols and bombs. ... the youth w
to the far corners of the country. They have to awa

areas and villagers living in worn out cottages,

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Bhagat Singh and His Ideas 1127
exploitation of man by man will become impossib
"Revolutionaries, by virtue of their altruistic
permanent peace based on justice and equality, no
and maintained at the point of bayonets. If the r
only as a measure of terrible necessity, as a la
mean by the ends for which they are deployed. I

Bhagat Singh was a man of very high spiri

during a conversation, Sant Randhir Singh ble
him and when God would turn cards, he (Bha
this Bhagat Singh assured him, Santji, the sou
dead. The spirit will sour high."33 His iron wi
wrote to Sukh Dev when latter was thinking t
Singh condemned him and wrote, "Suicide is a
man complete and perfect."34 He considered li
of death. He marked death for a cause to be m
aim. When he was issued death penalty, he wr
the court has passed the death sentence agains
V. Thereby they must be treated as prisoners
but firing.35 When he was about to be hanged
who was present there for their execution, "Wel
today to see how Indian revolutionaries can e
their supreme ideal."36 He v.do so eager to die fo
he was sentenced to death, "I am eagerly wai
fortune of being hanged for my ideal."37 He fur
revolutionary ideas will permeate the atmosphere
waiting for the day when I will receive the highe
love for my people."38

Bhagat Singh is a legend for the present and

his enthusiasm for his ideals and his country. Hi
the condition of Indian masses, his voracious
greatness. For the Indian youth, he is the sol
course, he is not present in material form in
say that one could kill a man but not his ideas
Nehru eulogized, "We should learn this lesson fr
country."39 In the last I would like to quote an

Tujhe jiba karne ke khushi aur mujhe

Meri bhi marji vohi hai jo mre sayad

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The Indian Journal of Political Science 1128

Notes and References :

1. Sohan Singh Josh, My Meeting with Bhagat Singh and Other Revolutionaries, Communist Party
Publication, New Delhi, 1976, p : 19.

2. K.C. Yadav and Babar Singh (eds.), Bhagat Singh A Biography by Jitendra Nath Sanyal, Hope Ind
Publications, Gurgaon, 2006, p: 17.

3. He was a renowned Arya Smajist and companion of Lala Lajpat Rai. He popularized the poem ' pa
Sambhal jatta' written by Bankey Day a! in peasant movements in Punjab and was given exile from

4. Kamlesh Mohan, Militant Nationalism in Punjab (1916-1935), Manohar Publications, New Delhi, 1
pp: 77-80.

5. Among Ghadrites, Bhagat Singh was most impressed from Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha, who was youngest
among them and was hanged in the age of 19 years. Bhagat Singh used to describe him as his 'Guru'.

6. Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, an Arya Smajist and great poet, was the participant in Kakori Train Decoity
and was hanged by the British authorities on 18 December 1927 in ' Gorakhpuť .

7. Companion of Pt. Ram Prasad Bismil, he was also a participant in Kakori Train Decoity and was hanged
on 19 December 1927.

8. See Ajoy Ghosh, Bhagat Singh as I Knew Him, Mainstream, V. 45, No. 42(5-11 October 2007), pp: 9

9. K.C. Yadav and Babar Singh (eds.), Why I am An Atheist : An Autobiographical Discourse by Bh
Singh, Hope India Publications, Gurgaon, 2005, p: 3/

10. Ibid., p: 12

11. Ibid., p: 40

12. Ibid., p: 40

13. Ibid., p: 46

14. Ibid., p: 46

15. Ibid., p: 49

16. Ibid., p: 35

17. Ibid., p: 38

18. Ibid., p: 44

19. Ibid., p: 45

20. Bhagat Singh, Sampradayak Dange Aur Unka Haj, quoted in Nazirul Hasan Ansari, Bhagat Singh fo
Today, Mainstream, V. 44, No. 34.

21. Yadav and Singh (eds.), n: 1, p: 43.

22. Ibid., pp: 1/20-121.

23. Gopal Thakur, Bhagat Singh - The Man and His Ideas, People's Publishing House, new Delhi, 1962, p:42

24. Gurdev Singh Deol, Shaheed Bhagat Singh - A Biography, Publication Bureau, Punjabi University, Patiala,
1985, p: 87.

25. Gurdev Singh Deol, Sardar Bhagat Singh-The Man and His Ideology, Deep Prakashan , Nabha, 1978, p:
130.

26. KS. Kooner and Dr. G.S. Sindhra, Some Hidden Facts-Martyrdom of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Unistar
Books Pvt. Ltd., 2005, p: 114.

27. Ibid., p: 115.

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 Bhagat Singh and His Ideas 1129
28. Quoted from S.R. Bakshi, Bhagat Singh and His

29. Quoted in Nazirul Hasan Ansari, Bhagat Singh for

p: 15. See also Nazirul Hasan Ansari, Bhagat Singh f
2006)

30. Deo!, n: 21, pp: 118-119.

31. Yadav and Singh (eds.), n: 1, p: 117.

32. Chaman Lai, Political correspondence of Bhagat Singh, Mainstream, V. 46, No. 14 (21-27 March 2008),
p: 29.

33. Deol, n: 21, p: 110.

34. Ibid., p: 133.

35. A.G. Noorani, The Trail of Bhagat Singh: Politics of Justice, Konark Publishers Pvt. Ltd., Delhi. 1996, p:
*309.

36. Quoted in Bimal Prasad, Bhagat Singh: A Tribute, Mainstream, V. 45, No. 14 (23-29 March 2007), p: 11

37. Ibid., p: 15.

38. K.C. Yadav and Babar Singh (eds.), Bhagat Singh: making of a Revolutionary, Hope India Publications,
Gurgaon, 2006, p. 62.

39. Deol, n: 21, p: 114.

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