I grew up admiring Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Their defiance, idealism, and love for the country left a deep imprint on us from a young age. So much so, that I once spent my meager pocket money to buy wooden-carved portraits of both from a street hawker—portraits I still treasure.
But alongside admiration, there has also been a lingering sense of sadness and resentment—especially around the silence that surrounded Bhagat Singh’s execution. I have often wondered why Mahatma Gandhi did not make a stronger plea to the British to commute the death sentence to life imprisonment. Even if it had failed, a gesture of solidarity might have resonated differently through history.
Another thought that has stayed with me is the subtle injustice meted out to Bhagat Singh’s two compatriots—Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar. These three brave hearts stood shoulder to shoulder in their mission and ultimately shared the same gallows. Yet, over time, Rajguru and Sukhdev’s stories have faded into the background, overshadowed by the towering legacy of Bhagat Singh. It is not that their sacrifice was any less—it was equal in action, spirit, and consequence. But public memory has a way of being selective.
There are moving accounts of Bhagat Singh’s last meetings with his family, his composed defiance in the face of death—but we hear little, if anything, of Rajguru or Sukhdev in those final moments. Their absence in the larger narrative feels like a quiet omission—an enigma that history has not yet addressed.
I hope someday, we give them their due. That their names, their courage, and their stories are remembered not as supporting chapters, but as integral parts of the same epic.
Perhaps, one day, a postscript will be written—one that echoes not just Bhagat Singh, but Rajguru and Sukhdev too, in full and equal measure .
In my opinion : Bhagat Singh is a real leader and others are his followers. So when leader is being mentioned then followers are included in it. If we mention them too them we are reducing status of Bhagat Singh from a leader to a normal person.
Why people shout Modi Modi, they feel included with him.
If his message still resonates with people then we should write in present tense, so I used “is”.
Main message of Shahid Bhagat Singh is missing from this long article.
Bhagat Singh was advised by the Britishers to apply for mercy petition but he refused to do so.
It is because he wanted to send a message to people of India that freedom for me is greater than my life and it should be so for every young boy involved in the freedom struggle.
He said that I am assured that our country going to become free from clutches of Britishers but the mental slavery people suffer due to Caste will take long time and much tougher struggle.
So his message will continue to be shared by the people of India to next generation till Indians will get their second freedom from Black Indian English people ie Upper caste Hindus after annihilation Caste.
Tolerance is not advisable by me. When a person tolerates the other they assume themselves at higher pedestal to be able to tolerate the other, if not then they could have punished the other!
Love is the right word.
We need to love each other because the God keeps loving us without looking at our faults.
Bhagat Singh knew very well that freedom struggle from Black Englishman of India will be much tougher because we could not be certain about the enemy and their informer/people as their colour will be just like us!
When they were promoting Bhagat Singh in 2014 then I warned them that BJP/RSS is promoting Bhagat Singh as their icon but they will be in problem if they needed to face such a person like Bhagat Singh again and that too during their period.
Bhagat and Gandhi were upholders of two different poles. Bhagat wanted Gandhi to be un-Gandhi. Similarly Gandhi wanted Bhagat to be un-Bhagat.
That is besides the point!
What does matter is that Bhagat and co took the Satyagrah road when in the jail. And THAT went a long way to make the tale of resistance enduring.
Both were anarchists- of opposing shades.
Nehru and Bhagat- both took the untraditionally approved path - one liberal the other militant. Both were astounded why Gandhi had a following- who managed to inspired millions including women and children and all castes and tribes- to walk however many steps they could- for freedom.
If I am allowed to share my perspective : Had Bhagat Singh submitted mercy petition then he knew that he will be killed in jail citing minor dispute between prisoners.
And that have made the other two Hero upon bring released on ‘maafinama’ like Savarkar and then they may have lead India upon becoming Hindu Rashtra.
This is why he wanted that future struggle will be tougher because it will be difficult to know the person standing in struggle with us is real or their person.
Sir:
I grew up admiring Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Their defiance, idealism, and love for the country left a deep imprint on us from a young age. So much so, that I once spent my meager pocket money to buy wooden-carved portraits of both from a street hawker—portraits I still treasure.
But alongside admiration, there has also been a lingering sense of sadness and resentment—especially around the silence that surrounded Bhagat Singh’s execution. I have often wondered why Mahatma Gandhi did not make a stronger plea to the British to commute the death sentence to life imprisonment. Even if it had failed, a gesture of solidarity might have resonated differently through history.
Another thought that has stayed with me is the subtle injustice meted out to Bhagat Singh’s two compatriots—Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar. These three brave hearts stood shoulder to shoulder in their mission and ultimately shared the same gallows. Yet, over time, Rajguru and Sukhdev’s stories have faded into the background, overshadowed by the towering legacy of Bhagat Singh. It is not that their sacrifice was any less—it was equal in action, spirit, and consequence. But public memory has a way of being selective.
There are moving accounts of Bhagat Singh’s last meetings with his family, his composed defiance in the face of death—but we hear little, if anything, of Rajguru or Sukhdev in those final moments. Their absence in the larger narrative feels like a quiet omission—an enigma that history has not yet addressed.
I hope someday, we give them their due. That their names, their courage, and their stories are remembered not as supporting chapters, but as integral parts of the same epic.
Perhaps, one day, a postscript will be written—one that echoes not just Bhagat Singh, but Rajguru and Sukhdev too, in full and equal measure .
Thank you
Thank you for such a touching tribute.
In my opinion : Bhagat Singh is a real leader and others are his followers. So when leader is being mentioned then followers are included in it. If we mention them too them we are reducing status of Bhagat Singh from a leader to a normal person.
Why people shout Modi Modi, they feel included with him.
If his message still resonates with people then we should write in present tense, so I used “is”.
Main message of Shahid Bhagat Singh is missing from this long article.
Bhagat Singh was advised by the Britishers to apply for mercy petition but he refused to do so.
It is because he wanted to send a message to people of India that freedom for me is greater than my life and it should be so for every young boy involved in the freedom struggle.
He said that I am assured that our country going to become free from clutches of Britishers but the mental slavery people suffer due to Caste will take long time and much tougher struggle.
So his message will continue to be shared by the people of India to next generation till Indians will get their second freedom from Black Indian English people ie Upper caste Hindus after annihilation Caste.
Very cogent point—though many among the so-called upper caste Hindus may not agree.
Belief in tolerance of the same is advisable
Tolerance is not advisable by me. When a person tolerates the other they assume themselves at higher pedestal to be able to tolerate the other, if not then they could have punished the other!
Love is the right word.
We need to love each other because the God keeps loving us without looking at our faults.
As Jesus too says “Love is God”.
Bhagat Singh knew very well that freedom struggle from Black Englishman of India will be much tougher because we could not be certain about the enemy and their informer/people as their colour will be just like us!
When they were promoting Bhagat Singh in 2014 then I warned them that BJP/RSS is promoting Bhagat Singh as their icon but they will be in problem if they needed to face such a person like Bhagat Singh again and that too during their period.
So someone noticed the point and they stopped!
Bhagat and Gandhi were upholders of two different poles. Bhagat wanted Gandhi to be un-Gandhi. Similarly Gandhi wanted Bhagat to be un-Bhagat.
That is besides the point!
What does matter is that Bhagat and co took the Satyagrah road when in the jail. And THAT went a long way to make the tale of resistance enduring.
Both were anarchists- of opposing shades.
Nehru and Bhagat- both took the untraditionally approved path - one liberal the other militant. Both were astounded why Gandhi had a following- who managed to inspired millions including women and children and all castes and tribes- to walk however many steps they could- for freedom.
If I am allowed to share my perspective : Had Bhagat Singh submitted mercy petition then he knew that he will be killed in jail citing minor dispute between prisoners.
And that have made the other two Hero upon bring released on ‘maafinama’ like Savarkar and then they may have lead India upon becoming Hindu Rashtra.
This is why he wanted that future struggle will be tougher because it will be difficult to know the person standing in struggle with us is real or their person.
Very insightful. Thanks.
No mention of Arya Samaj influence in family, in religion section.
Very relevant point.
Please add a detailed comment—I will restack and amplify.