Shaheed Bhagat Singh- Did he die in vain ?
Following a hasty trial,
Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were executed today on March 23, 1931 in Central Jail
at Lahore at 7.15 pm by the British, a
day earlier than the scheduled hanging. This day is celebrated as
Shahidi Divas. Today flowers will be offered to their statues, a few status
updates on Facebook and tomorrow all will be forgotten.
As a child we us have idolised them as heroes. Just a mere
mention of their name fills our nerves with feelings of patriotism. Once in
class we were talking about these great martyrs when a dear friend of mine
asked me if I knew where Sukhdev was born ? Ashamed of the lack of knowledge
about my hero I hung my head low. But what brought me to my knees was the fact
that he was born in my hometown or more appropriately, I was born in his
hometown- Ludhiana. It was shameful.
But I knew where Gandhi was born. I knew how many kilometres
did he travel to make salt, all the moments that he started, I knew them all by
heart. Though I had no intent of knowing these facts about him, I still knew
them. The reason; because we had a whole chapter on him in our 10th class
History books and the teacher even hinted that a question about his National
Moments is an all time board favourite. So I mugged all facts about him, cause
he is an important topic in boards examination. And for my hero, who is not an
important topic, I only know that he was hung today many decades back. My
education put Gandhi above of my hero, without even taking my consent.
Gandhi is often credited for winning us our freedom from the
Britishers. But winning would be a misnomer. For to win, you have to fight.
That guy didn't fight, he negotiated and that too poorly. We 'won' our
independence on August 15, 1947. That's two years after World War II ended
which had left British powerless after using soldiers from our country to fight
their wars. So they were already ready to leave as they had nothing more to
take.
What despises me is that we still follow Gandhian ways.
Whether there are attacks on Parliament or our landmarks (Taj hotel) we still
resort to the old ways. We demand justification. We indulge in talks. And when
all fails we resort to our Brahmastra
; we stop playing cricket with our enemies.
I wonder if we are cowards. If it's in our blood, you know a
part of Indian DNA.
You know what's the root of all problems that we face today.
That we are not proud of who we are, we are not proud of being an Indian. And
why should be ? Someone from far Europe comes with a bunch of lads to this place
and rules for 100 years a country, almost 50 times its population. It succeeds
in manipulating ruler of one kingdom to fight with another. And it does that repeatedly.
And before it bids its farewell, it
succeeds in dividing it into two halves, based on what - religion.
Arey bhai chutiye ho kya !!
I dread if Bhagat, Rajguru or Sukhdev were alive today. How
would have they reacted to knowing that the country they laid their lives for
has now been split into two. And why was it split beacuse both political leaders
Jinnah and Nehru wanted to be the Prime Minister. So what they did- chalo
50-50 kar lete hain.
Not once these power hungry vultures thought about the sacrifices
made by these martyrs.
And don't fool yourself into that we are a peace loving
country. Communal killings, riots, burning of busses is a common sight here.
But not the killing and assassination of those who come and terrorize our land.
Who dare say our states as their own. No, those we will tackle by talks just as
our respected forefathers did.
Why did you die Bhagat ? For whom ? For the people in your
era who branded you a terrorist. Or for the more ridiculed ones in our era who
compare you to a jerk named Kanhaiya.
Some 85 years ago a 23 year old young boy sacrificed his
life believing in this nation. Don't let it go waste. Rise above caste,
religion, colour and creed. Be proud in being Indian.
Inqalab Zindabad.
