China-made drone seized near India-Pak border in Punjab
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How did Bhagat Singh became popular? On this auspicious day of India’s independence from the British rule, thestatesman.com take a moment to reflect on how freedom fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh, in particular, who was known for violent acts, became popular and hailed as a hero to this day.
“Bhagat Singh did not become popular because of his act of terrorism but because he seemed to vindicate, for the moment, the honour of Lala Lajpat Rai, and through him of the nation. He became a symbol; the act was forgotten, the symbol remained, and within a few months each town and village of the Punjab, and to a lesser extent in the rest of northern India, resounded with his name,” India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wrote.
Born on 27 September 1907 in Punjab’s Banga village, Singh became popular after his death which came too soon. He died at the age of 23 on 23 March 1931. He was convicted for killing John Saunders and executed. Despite his violent acts and though an atheist, Singh was termed a charismatic socialist revolutionary and won the hearts of many. He found favour among both Communists and right-wing Hindu nationalists. He lives as a hero in the hearts of many, till this day.
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Singh’s popularity, in fact, is kept alive not only through history and books but also films. The Legend of Bhagat Singh, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, was released on 7 June 2002, and went on to bag two National Film Awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, and three Filmfare Awards, including the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie.
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