Rare Documents of and about Bhagat Singh By Chaman Lal

By Chaman Lal

It would be 76 years of martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on 23rd March, 2007. Last year at the completion of 75 years of their martyrdom and in same year from 28th September 2006, birth centenary programmes of Bhagat Singh started nationally, somewhat at governmental level but more at non-governmental level. Memorial programmes on Bhagat Singh have gained momentum since, there have been lot of publications brought out in this period in Hindi, Punjabi, English and many other Indian languages, which continues uninterrupted till day. A proposal to set up Bhagat Singh Chair at J.N.U., New Delhi has been accepted by national programme implementation committee recently. Mooted by this author this proposal was endorsed by Prof. Bipan Chandra, Prof. Prabhat Patnaik and Prof. G.S.Bhalla. It was supported by many eminent scholars and political leaders like Prakash Karat, A.B.Bardhan and Shashi Bhushan.

In these ongoing programmes on Bhagat Singh all over the country, I was invited to deliver lectures on his thought and role in freedom movement. I delivered these lectures at far of places like Arrah (Bihar), Patna, Indore(MP), Rohtak(Haryana), Ranchi(Jharkhand), Mumbai, Benaras and Thanjavur(Tamilnadu) during September ’06 to February ’07. Political Science deptt. of Mumbai University is perhaps the first deptt. in all over the country, which is holding two days national seminar on Bhagat Singh on 28th and 29th March ’07.On 23rd March this year, there are going to be hundreds of programmes all over the country, including some official ones. Many leftist organizations are planning to take out huge demonstrations and rallies to oppose the neo liberal anti people policies of the government, to mark this day. Leftist organizations of all hues are trying to resurrect Bhagat Singh as the most strong anti-imperialist resistance symbol in the present context. National Book Trust is also coming out with some publications on this day.

It is clear that in the 150th year anniversary of first war of freedom struggle of 1857 and in the birth centenary year of Bhagat singh, an emotion of patriotism is emerging afresh ,in the wake of U S neo imperialism becoming more aggressive and dangerous than old British imperialism. Reliving the nationalistic tradition in the whole country, a renaissance is taking place in the country, in which the image of Bhagat Singh is emerging as supreme ideological symbol of resistance. At international level too, struggling people of the world against neo imperialism are looking to Bhagat Singh as symbol of resistance alongwith Che Guvera. This very year , a publisher from U K is bringing out collection of Bhagat Singh’s writings in English.

Bhagat Singh was always considered significant at national and international level, but this did not come into focus. The rare documents acquired by this author in this period, throw light on his significance. One of these document is Periyar’s editorial in his Tamil weekly ‘Kudai Aarsu’ in 22-29th March 1931 issue, immediately after Bhagat Singh and others execution. This was translated in English and published in ‘Modern Rationalist’ in November ‘o6 by followers of Periyar at my request, after more than 75 years of its first publication. It was E V Ramaswamy Naikar Periyar, who got ‘Why I am an Atheist’ of Bhagat Singh, translated in Tamil, as early as in 1934 by Comrade P Jeevanandan and published in booklet form. This booklet continues to be popular in Tamilnadu, even today, after so many editions have come out. This was perhaps first ever translation of this historic document in any Indian or other language, much earlier than even Punjabi translation. There were many creative writings in Tamil, after the execution of Bhagat Singh, which were proscribed by British authorities in those days.

Internationally also, the reports of execution of Bhagat Singh and disturbances in the country after that, were published in pro communist ‘Daily Worker’ from Newyork in USA. It is almost strange to know that the news of Bhagat Singh execution was published in ‘The Tribune ‘ of Lahore and ‘ Daily Worker’ of Newyork on the same day- 25th March 1931, in the age of slow communication channels as compared to today. Even Tribune from Lahore could not publish this report on 24th March, as the news of execution on 23rd March at 7 p.m. remained suppressed in media in Lahore itself, where the executions took place. ‘Daily Worker’ again carried report on Kanpur riots on 27th March 1931, which spread after these executions.

Five unpublished letters of Bhagat Singh have been found out in this period. Copies of four letters have been acquired from Nehru Memorial Museum and Library(Teenmurti), New Delhi. Fifth letter has been recovered from the exhibits of Lahore Conspiracy case. The copies of all these letters were gifted to this author by Malwinderjit Singh Waraich, a dedicated writer and activist about revolutionary movements in India for national freedom. Three of these letters are in English, one in Punjabi and another in Urdu.

From these documents, one can better understand ideological perspective of Bhagat Singh and the significance of his contribution to India’s freedom struggle.
◦Chaman Lal
◦Professor, Centre of Indian Languages
◦Jawaharlal Nehru University,New Delhi
◦Mob.-09868774820,chamanlal1947@yahoo.co.in

1. Letter to grandfather Arjun Singh in Urdu on 27-7-1919 on post card*

Om
Respected Dada Ji, namaste
I state humbly that I am well and wish your well being from Shri Narayan ji. The state of affairs here is that our six monthly exams. Are over, which started in July. Many boys failed in Maths., so the math. Exam will be held again on 9th August. Everything else is fine. When are you coming. Tell Bhayia ji(father) that I have cleared all papers in six monthly examinations. Namaste to Mataji(mother) chachi(aunt),elder aunt.Kultar Singh(younger brother) had fever on 24th night and 25th july evening. Now he is o.k.Do not worry about anything.
Yours obediently
Bhagat Singh
•Note of Translator(Chaman Lal)

•This is second letter of Bhagat Singh to his grandfather, which is now available. First available letter of Bhagat Singh is also written to his grandfather in Urdu only.Bhagat Singh’s handwriting is available in three languages- Urdu, Punjabi and English. He was prolific writer in Hindi too.

2. Unpublished letters of Bhagat Singh

Chaman Lal*

Letter to aunt Hukam Kaur,widow of uncle Swarn Singh, in Punjabi language on 24.10.1921( On Post Card)**

1 Omkar Lahore

My Dear Aunt(Chachi ji) Namaste
I had gone to attend a rally to Lyalpur. I wanted to come to village, but Bapuji(Father) did not allow, so I could not come to village. Please forgive me, if I did any wrong. Portrait of Chacha Ji(Uncle Swarn Singh) is ready. I wanted to bring it along, but it was not complete then, so please forgive me. Kindly reply early. My reverence to elder aunt. My reverence to mother. Namaste to Kulbir and Kultar(younger brothers).
Your son
Bhagat Singh
**Translator’s(Chaman Lal) note:
This letter was written by Bhagat Singh at the age of fourteen years to his younger aunt in Punjabi. Bhagat Singh had learnt Punjabi language in 1921 by his own efforts, inspired by Nankana Sahib Morcha, the volunteers of which passed through his village and Bhagat Singh used to serve food(langar) to them. He was not taught Punjabi in school, where he had good command over Urdu, which was the medium of instruction in those days.

3. Letters of Bhagat Singh

Letter to Lahore authorities to release belongings. Contents of the letter are self explanatory. Letter is typed on Bhagat Singh’s father S. Kishan Singh’s letterhead, who was an insurance agent in Lahore.(Chaman Lal)

CHIEF AGENT FOR Tele{gram:- “Himmassure” Lahore
The UP<PUNJAB&N.W.F Province phone:-

The HIMALYA ASSURANCE CO. LTD>
----------------------
Punjab Chief Agency
Ref. No.------- Dated-------------192

Sir,
I was arrested on 29th of May 1927 under section 302 I.P.C.and was detained in the Police custody for five weeks. I was released on bail on 4th of July 1927. Since then I have never been called by the police or any court to stand my trial under the said section(written in hand) and so I presume that you have completed your investigation and found nothing against me and(written in hand) have practically withdrawn the case. Under the circumstances I request you to kindly return all the things that were taken from my body at the time of my arrest and to inform me when and where to see you for the said purpose.
An early favour will highly oblige.

Your etc. (Written in hand)

Sd/ Sadiq Ali Shah
S.I.
D/ 2-5-29 (written in hand)
Read out, admitted in evidence and added to Special Tribunal Lahore Conspiracy Case File.
J.Coldstream
Judge
Special Tribunal

Letters of Bhagat Singh-4*

This letter was written to close personal friend by Bhagat Singh on post card in English, which has stamp of Lahore post office of 24th February 1930. This letter is also self explanatory.(Chaman Lal)

Very Urgent { No. 103 Central Jail condemned Cell } Lahore
---------
My Dear Jai Deo!
I hope you would have heard of our abandoning the fast after 16 days, and you can guess how greatly do we feel the necessity of your help at this stage. We received a few oranges yesterday but no interview was held. Our case has been adjourned for a fortnight. Therefore kindly arrange to send a tin of ‘ Craven Cigarettes - A’ and a tin of ghee immediately. And a few oranges alongwith a few rasgullas will also be welcomed. Mr. Dutta is facing hard times without cigarettes. Now you can understand the urgent nature of our needs.
Thanking you in advance.

Yours Sincerely
Bhagat Singh

Address—To, Mr. Jai Deo Prasad Gupta,c/o The provincial Congress committee Bradlaugh Hall, Lahore

* All underlines by Bhagat Singh

Letters of Bhagat Singh-5

This letter is also written to Jaidev Gupta on 26th May 1930 in English. The stamp of Lahore post office is of 28/5/1930 on post card. This letter also needs to explanation. (Chaman Lal)
937 D/ Lahore Central Jail
26/5/30(jail no.) Lahore

Dear Brother Jai deo,

Today again I am writing this letter to give you some trouble which I hope you will not mind. Please see if you can arrange to send one fleet foot shoe for me. I think No. 9-10 will do. Chapli is too uncomfortable. Also please try to send it on Friday or Saturday through kulbir when he will be coming for an interview. Really it is very sad that I have not so far been allowed any interview with you. Had this impasse in our trial not occurred I will have repeatedly reminded the authorities to sanction your interview. Anyhow by the time this question is settled I will again try to get the interview sanctioned. Well I hope you will send the shoe without fail and without delay. These days I have got only one book with me—a very dry one. Please see if you can send a couple of recent interesting novels. Please remember me to all friends.
Yours Sincerely
D/ 26/5/30 Bhagat Singh

Address--- Mr. jai Deo Prasad Gupta c/o S. Kishan Singh
Bradlaugh Hall, Lahore