Bhagat Singh's Dream of Freedom Not Fulfilled Yet, Say Left Leaders in West Bengal on His Martyrdom Day

Kolkata: The 102nd martyrdom day of revolutionary Bhagat Singh was observed across the state on Thursday. The bust of Singh at Shahid Bhagat Singh Udyan at Minto Park was garlanded by Left leaders including Left Front Chairman Biman Basu and CPI(M) politbureau member Suryakanta Mishra.

DYFI West Bengal state secretary Minakshi Mukherjee and Yuvashakti magazine’s editor Kalatan Dasgupta were among the youth leaders who garlanded the bust of the iconic freedom fighter.

The programme which was organised by Shahid Yaadgar Samity saw rich tributes paid to the memory of the firebrand freedom fighters. The speakers at the event said that there is a marked difference in India envisaged by Bhagat Singh, who was inspired by Marxism, and that envisaged by Hindutva icon V D Savarkar (who had admired Hitler). “It is of utmost importance to inculcate the fearlessness of Bhagat Singh and his fellow freedom fighters, such as Jatin Das and Batukeshwar Dutta in the present situation when a saffron build-up is trying to choke the very Constitution of India and the concept of a nation that these brave men fought for, at the cost of their lives,” emphasised the speakers.

Describing Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh as a “pathbreaking revolutionary on a Marxist path”, the speakers also stated the need for deeper studies on the life of the revolutionaries across the country. They said that the stories centred around Bhagat Singh were undoubtedly patriotic and secular, but the current fascist build-up in the country was trying to promote him by subverting his hallmark – rationalism and scientific temper.

Speaking at the programme, Mishra said that the dream for which these freedom fighters had fought for the nation is yet to be realised. “The dream of the freedom that promised livelihoods, economic betterment, and end to social oppression is yet to be fulfilled,” he said.

“Today, attempts are being made to make India forget its valiant past and actions of martyrs like Bhagat Singh. It was through the path shown by Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Chandrashekar Azad, and Batukeshawar Dutt that the leftists today are fighting to achieve real freedom,” added Mishra.

Basu reminded the people of the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ and said that it is still relevant. “Even today, it is a tool against the oppression of the rulers in the country. The omnipotence of the divisive forces, fierce discontent, and societal oppression is a glaring testimony to the unfulfilled dream of freedom,” he said.

The triennial issue of Yuvashakti (DYFI’s state mouthpiece) in Hindi was also published by the Left leaders at the programme. The first issue of the triennial is dedicated to Bhagat Singh.

The state witnessed a multitude of remembrance programmes organised across districts by DYFI units. Blood donation drives were also part of these programmes.