Sardar Bhagat Singh, an iconic figure in India’s struggle for independence, remains one of the most revered revolutionaries in history. Born on September 27, 1907, in Banga, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Bhagat Singh’s life was a testament to courage, intellectual rigor, and an unwavering commitment to the liberation of his people from British colonial rule. Executed at the age of 23 on March 23, 1931, his short yet impactful life left an indelible mark on India’s freedom movement. Beyond his acts of bravery, Bhagat Singh was a prolific writer, a staunch atheist, and a thinker who challenged religious fundamentalism and its role as an obstacle to social progress. This article delves into his life, his complete writings, his empathy for the common people, his rejection of religion, and how his ideas continue to inspire generations.
Table of Contents
Early Life of Sardar Bhagat Singh: A Revolutionary in the Making
Bhagat Singh was born into a family deeply rooted in revolutionary ideals. His father, Sardar Kishan Singh, and uncles, Ajit Singh and Swaran Singh, were active members of the Ghadar Movement, a revolutionary organization aimed at overthrowing British rule. Growing up in a Sikh household in Lyallpur district, Punjab, Bhagat Singh was exposed to the injustices of colonial oppression from a young age. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, where British forces brutally killed hundreds of unarmed Indians, profoundly impacted the 12-year-old Bhagat Singh, igniting his passion for freedom.
As a teenager, he joined the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi but grew disillusioned when Gandhi called it off after the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922. This shift led him to explore more radical paths, eventually aligning with the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), which he later transformed into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) with a focus on socialism and armed resistance.
Bhagat Singh: The Great Freedom Fighter
Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary journey is marked by acts of defiance that shook the foundations of British rule. His most notable actions include the assassination of John Saunders in 1928, in retaliation for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, and the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi in 1929, alongside Batukeshwar Dutt. These acts were not mindless violence but calculated moves to awaken a dormant nation and protest oppressive laws like the Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Bill.
In jail, Bhagat Singh undertook a historic 116-day hunger strike to demand better treatment for Indian political prisoners, showcasing his dedication not just to independence but to the dignity of his fellow revolutionaries. His execution by hanging in Lahore Central Jail cemented his status as “Shaheed-e-Azam” (The Great Martyr), a symbol of resistance against tyranny.
Bhagat Singh’s Writings: A Window into His Mind
Bhagat Singh was not just a man of action; he was a thinker and writer whose works reveal his intellectual depth and revolutionary ideology. His writings, penned during his imprisonment, cover topics ranging from atheism and socialism to the plight of the common people and the role of youth in nation-building. Below is a comprehensive look at his key works:
1. “Why I Am an Atheist” (1930)
This essay, written in Lahore Central Jail, is arguably Bhagat Singh’s most famous work. Responding to a religious friend, Baba Randhir Singh, who accused him of vanity-driven atheism, Bhagat Singh articulated his rejection of God with clarity and reason. He argued that his atheism stemmed not from arrogance but from a critical examination of human suffering and the absence of divine justice. He wrote:
“As regards the origin of God, my thought is that man created God in his imagination when he realized his weaknesses, limitations, and shortcomings.”
This piece reflects his belief that religion was a crutch for the weak, a notion he expanded upon in his critique of religious dogma.
2. “The Jail Notebook“
Compiled during his imprisonment, this notebook contains excerpts from the works of thinkers like Karl Marx, Mikhail Bakunin, and Thomas Paine, alongside Bhagat Singh’s own reflections. It reveals his voracious reading habits and his synthesis of socialist and anarchist ideas into a vision for an egalitarian India.
3. “Religion and Our Freedom Struggle” (1928)
Published in the magazine Kirti, this essay critiques religion’s divisive impact on India’s independence movement. Bhagat Singh questioned why religious symbols—like cows, pigs, or scriptures—should halt a united fight against colonial oppression, arguing that such divisions weakened the struggle.
4. “Letter to His Father” (1930)
In this poignant letter, Bhagat Singh expressed disappointment with his father’s plea for clemency in court, emphasizing his willingness to die for the cause of freedom. He wrote:
“I have devoted my life to the cause of freedom… I am going to sacrifice my life for a cause.”
This letter underscores his resolve and disdain for personal salvation over collective liberation.
5. “Letter to Sukhdev” (1930)
Addressed to his comrade Sukhdev, this letter reflects Bhagat Singh’s philosophical musings on life, death, and revolution. He urged Sukhdev to embrace their fate with courage, viewing death as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.
6. “The Problem of Punjab’s Language and Script” (1923)
One of his earliest writings, this piece highlights his concern for cultural unity and the empowerment of Punjab’s masses through education and language reform.
7. “Introduction to The Dreamland“
Bhagat Singh wrote an introduction to a poetry collection by Ghadar revolutionary Lala Ram Saran Das, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking over blind faith. He advised readers:
“Do not read it to follow blindly… criticize it, think over it, and formulate your own ideas.”
These writings collectively showcase Bhagat Singh’s intellect, his rejection of superstition, and his commitment to rationalism and social justice.
Bhagat Singh’s Vision for the Common People
Unlike many leaders of his time, Bhagat Singh’s fight was not just for political independence but for the emancipation of India’s downtrodden masses. He believed that true freedom meant economic equality and the eradication of social hierarchies like caste and class. His affiliation with socialism stemmed from this empathy for the common people—peasants, workers, and the oppressed—who bore the brunt of colonial exploitation.
In his manifesto for the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, Bhagat Singh declared:
“The real revolutionary armies are in the villages and factories.”
He envisioned a society where the toiling masses were not just free from British rule but from the shackles of poverty and inequality. His hunger strike in jail was as much a protest against colonial injustice as it was a stand for the dignity of ordinary prisoners, reflecting his belief that every individual deserved respect and rights.
Bhagat Singh’s writings often addressed the plight of the “untouchables” and laborers, urging a revolution that uplifted the marginalized. His rejection of elitist nationalism made him a true champion of the common people, a legacy that resonates with India’s ongoing struggles for social justice.
Bhagat Singh as an Atheist: Rejecting Religion and Fundamentalism
Bhagat Singh’s atheism was not a mere personal stance; it was a radical critique of religion’s role in society. Raised in an orthodox Sikh family, he began questioning religious doctrines as a teenager, influenced by the Hindu-Muslim riots that followed the Non-Cooperation Movement’s collapse. These events convinced him that religion fostered division rather than unity, a view reinforced by his study of atheist revolutionaries like Bakunin and Lenin.
Reasons for His Atheism
In “Why I Am an Atheist,” Bhagat Singh outlined his journey from belief to disbelief. He recalled his early devotion—reciting the Gayatri Mantra for hours—but explained how rational inquiry led him to reject God. Key reasons include:
- Absence of Evidence: He found no empirical proof of a supreme being, viewing God as a human construct born from fear and weakness.
- Human Suffering: The existence of pain and injustice contradicted the notion of a benevolent deity.
- Self-Reliance: Bhagat Singh believed that dependence on God undermined human agency and resilience, writing, “If you have no belief in Him, then there is no alternative but to depend upon yourself.”
Critique of Religious Fundamentalism
Bhagat Singh was outspoken against religious fundamentalism, which he saw as a tool of oppression and division. He criticized how Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs prioritized sacred symbols over human lives, recounting hypothetical scenarios where religious sentiments could derail a freedom struggle. In “Religion and Our Freedom Struggle,” he asked:
“Why should we not rid ourselves of this entire problem? Religion stands before us like a mountain.”
He argued that blind faith enslaved minds, stifling progress and critical thought—traits he deemed essential for revolutionaries.
Religion as an Obstacle to Freedom and Progress
Bhagat Singh viewed religion as a significant barrier to India’s liberation and social reform. His writings highlight several ways in which it obstructed progress:
1. Division Among People
Religion, he argued, fractured the unity needed to fight British rule. The communal riots he witnessed reinforced his belief that religious identities—Hindu, Muslim, Sikh—weakened the collective resolve of Indians.
2. Mental Slavery
In “Why I Am an Atheist,” Bhagat Singh described religion as a form of “mental slavery,” arguing that teaching children to fear an omnipotent God crushed their confidence and autonomy. He believed this mindset perpetuated subjugation, both to colonial rulers and societal elites.
3. Obstacle to Equality
Bhagat Singh’s socialist vision of equality clashed with religious hierarchies like the caste system. He saw religious doctrines as upholding untouchability and class distinctions, which he sought to dismantle.
4. Distraction from Revolution
He criticized how religious rituals and superstitions diverted attention from the real struggle. In the HSRA manifesto, he wrote:
“Revolution may be anti-God but it is certainly not anti-Man.”
For Bhagat Singh, the focus should be on human welfare, not divine appeasement.
Bhagat Singh’s Legacy: A Timeless Inspiration
Bhagat Singh’s execution at Lahore Central Jail did not silence his voice. His writings and ideals—rooted in rationalism, socialism, and a fierce love for the common people—continue to inspire movements for justice and equality. His atheism, far from being a rejection of morality, was a call for a higher ethic based on reason and humanity.
Today, as India grapples with communalism, inequality, and authoritarianism, Bhagat Singh’s critique of religion and his vision for a united, equitable society remain profoundly relevant. His words challenge us to question dogma, embrace self-reliance, and fight for the oppressed—principles that transcend time.
Conclusion: Bhagat Singh’s Enduring Relevance
Sardar Bhagat Singh was more than a freedom fighter; he was a visionary who dared to dream of a just world. His writings—spanning atheism, socialism, and the struggles of the common people—offer a roadmap for progress. By rejecting religion as an obstacle and championing reason, he left behind a legacy that urges us to think critically and act boldly. As we reflect on his life on March 22, 2025, let us honor Bhagat Singh not just as a martyr but as a thinker whose ideas continue to light the path toward a freer, fairer India.
