Why Am I an Atheist? Of Bhagat Singh at Crossroads in the Madras Presidency, 1931-1934

Abstract

Bhagat Singh, the rebel mounted the gallows with smile on his face and ‘InquilabSindabad’ on his lips on 23rd March 1931 at 7:00pm Bhagat Singh’s fearlessness and sacrifice electrified the Indian political atmosphere at a time lethargy had set in. The cry of ‘Long Live Revolution’ was popularized in this country by him. Bhagat Singh raised the slogan in a British Court of Law, and the echoes are heard even today, everyday in every Indian heart. Gandhi made the following statement, six days after hanging of Bhagat Singh, 'There never has been in living memory, so much romance round any life as had surrounded Bhagat Singh.' The romance continues even today. Bhagat Singh, who was born on 28 September 1907 at Lyallpur Banga in West Punjab, is a household name in the country. He was born in a family which had produced a galaxy of freedom fighters. His uncle Ajit Singh, his father Kishan Singh and his grandfather Arjun Singh were also involved in the struggle for freedom. The patriotic life of Bhagat Singh is well known to the people of India and there is no need of reproduction of the facts, which related to his patriotic life. Bhagat Singh and his teammates were in Lahore Jail for some two years from April 8, 1929 to March 23, 1931. Bhagat Singh was charged for the murder of Saunders, A.S.P. and throwing of bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly on April 8, 1929. Later, the Government of India formed a Special Tribunal for conducting the Lahore Conspiracy Case in the Lahore jail.