Comments on: On Bhagat Singh, his vision and Jinnah’s support for his struggle

By: Shaheen Sulatn Dhanji

Shaheen Sulatn Dhanji — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:57:01 +0000

Most enjoyed reading this material….brilliantly written and cogent.

But Raza, thanks for sharing!

By: MS

MS — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:04:59 +0000

Thank you Raza for sharing this. In addition, I want to add- though my comment is not related to Jinnah’s support to his cause-that Bhagat Singh was extremely fond of reading. This is something that the self-proclaimed inheritors (in India and especially in Punjab) of his legacy always forget in their zeal of shouting “Inquelab Zindabad”.

By: Sidhusaaheb

Sidhusaaheb — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:07:34 +0000

Some articles related to Bhagat Singh’s life and times and his hundredth birth anniversary that have been published recently in The Tribune, Chandigarh, can be accessed at:

- http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080105/saturday/main1.htm

- http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070311/spectrum/book1.htm

- http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070318/spectrum/main1.htm

- http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080322/saturday/main1.htm

By: Vidrohi

Vidrohi — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:12:25 +0000

Thanks Raza for writing this post. If you are interesting in reading Jinnah’s speech in A. G. Noorani’s book ‘The Trail of Bhagat Singh’. A friend told me that Kuldip Nayar’s text is also very well-written and well-researched.

@ MS: I think its very easy to criticize the Left rather than providing with an alternative. From my side of the border, I greatly appreciate the work of my comrades from Eastern Punjab who faced great terror while propagating Bhagat’s message. In this regard, do watch this informative video about the activity of Left in Punjab during the Khalistan movement (it also contains a lot of material on Bhagat Singh): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnVBzWYQ2Ak

This is a 60 minute documentary: In Memory of Friends.

By: Raj

Raj — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:09:52 +0000

Dear Raza,
I am not able to understand if this article was written to praise Bhagats Selfish Bravery or to criticise Gandhi . COngress tried its best to save Bhagat

Here, Gandhi pays tribute to the patriotism of the young martyr while disagreeing with his revolutionary methods. Excerpted from Gandhi’s article in Young India.

Bhagat Singh and his two associates have been hanged. The Congress made many attempts to save their lives and the Government entertained many hopes of it, but all has been in a vain.

Bhagat Singh did not wish to live. He refused to apologize, or even file an appeal. Bhagat Singh was not a devotee of non-violence, but he did not subscribe to the religion of violence. He took to violence due to helplessness and to defend his homeland. In his last letter, Bhagat Singh wrote –” I have been arrested while waging a war. For me there can be no gallows. Put me into the mouth of a cannon and blow me off.” These heroes had conquered the fear of death. Let us bow to them a thousand times for their heroism.

But we should not imitate their act. In our land of millions of destitute and crippled people, if we take to the practice of seeking justice through murder, there will be a terrifying situation. Our poor people will become victims of our atrocities. By making a dharma of violence, we shall be reaping the fruit of our own actions.

Hence, though we praise the courage of these brave men, we should never countenance their activities. Our dharma is to swallow our anger, abide by the discipline of non-violence and carry out our duty.

March 29, 1931